WomenArts: Many women artists have wondered whether there were any laws they could use to fight the pervasive gender discrimination they have experienced. Study after study has shown that these women are not getting their fair share of opportunities. Why can’t they just bring a lawsuit to solve the problem?
4 comments:
I was shocked to learn that there is no federal law that bans gender discrimination! It seems like gender and sexual orientation should be included with civil rights act. I hope this movement goes well. I did not realize how male oriented most media was until watching Wonder Woman and I felt like the jokes were for me. There are certainly movies made for women but directed by men, but there is a kinship and point of view that is different between men and women.
While reading this, however, I am worried that the lawsuit will not get very far because the studios can say that they like the aesthetic of men better, or that they are better qualified, or suit their artistic vision. Once artistry gets involved, I think there is more leeway in choosing who you want to hire rather than strictly by the numbers. I hope things get better, but I am not holding my breath.
It is really interesting to read this article, and then to read Sylvi's comment and see that we have a lot in common about the way that we see gender in film and TV, which is almost exclusively the male way. Like Sylvi the first time in my life I ever watched a movie and felt truly and completely like everything was for me was when I went to see Wonder Woman. I actually cried during the first battle scene because I was so moved by the women on the screen and the way that it felt to finally belong in an acton movie. It was interesting to read about Women Woman and the directors perspective because what she talks about being the most important part of making Wonder Woman about women is taking away the male gaze. Getting rid of the idea that men are always watching us and making a movie where we do what we do when we are in a room full of women. I am interested to see where this law suit goes and to see how the face of film and the subject of film changes in the coming years as more women begin to tell our stories in a "female" way. I hope it comes quickly and without any hesitation because sitting in the theater this summer watching Wonder Woman was one of the more profound and moving experiences of my life, and everyone deserves that.
I was interested to read that title VII excludes contractors or non-employees when it comes to discrimination law. I would have thought it might be a little more all-encompassing, but this isn't the first time I've been disappointed in our legislation.
We need more female directors. Period. I am so thrilled that Wonder Woman happened, and I love that there is a movie that, like Sarah said, is "for me." But what really frustrates me is the fact that almost every other movie coming out serves the male population. When I was a little girl, all I wanted was to be like the boys, because I thought they were the only ones who got to go on adventures. I used to outwardly reject girls as being cool (except for Carmen in Spy Kids) because I was angry we were never the ones fighting crime. I used "hating girls for being lame" as a way to separate myself from them, and put myself with the boys. How incredibly sad is that? That I would feel the need to push away from other little girls, because I thought to be a boy was to be adventurous and brave, and that to be a girl was not?? If I had had Wonder Woman, or the new Ghostbusters, or the new Beauty and the Beast, I would have felt proud to be a strong girl. I wouldn't have rejected a huge part of myself so often. I love the idea that girls growing up now might not feel the way I did, but love being a strong, world-saving girl.
Given the numerous revelations surrounding powerful men in the entertainment industry, it is paramount that women are given a fair chance to succeed. Fair being the operative word. It is clear that powerful men have been using their positions of power to offer women opportunities in the entertainment industry by exploiting them for sexual gain. Women need to exhaust every legal avenue possible in order to ensure that this sort of horrific abuse stops happening now and into the future. Furthermore, the government needs to enact legislations to protect women from sexual harassment, and allow them to feel empowered and like they can succeed in all industries.
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