A friend of mine said the other day, “Isn’t it amazing when you take a women’s studies class for the first time.”
Sure is. You get to learn things like this: They did not burn their bras.
One of the outcomes of consciousness-raising sessions in the 1960s was “zap actions” to bring attention to women’s issues. One of these actions was the 1968 protest of the Miss America Pageant. The demonstration was the idea of Carol Hanisch, the woman who also coined the term “the personal is political.”
The goal of the protest was to bring attention to women being viewed as objects to counter the social conventions of beauty and how it oppresses women (yes, we were talking about that 40 years ago as well). Outside the pageant hall, women discarded their bras into trash cans, but never set them on fire. (One article I read said the protesters intended to burn their bras but could not due to fire safety codes.)
Ultimately, Hanisch was disappointed with the event, because the media frenzy that ensued depicted a protest by women against women, instead of a protest against a cultural structure that oppressed them. Yet, the demonstration had value – it was a high profile event that introduced many to the women’s liberation movement.
As a so-called feminist, I am slightly embarrassed I spent a good part of my 46 years believing that women burned their bras. Though I know now it is one of the myths intended to denigrate feminists, I liked the idea of women heating things by lighting a fire under the issues. In fact, I think we could use a little more of that kind of radical zap action these days.
Given the number of female broadcasters in the media, how do you think an event like the protest of the Miss America Pageant would be covered today?
If I called you this week and asked you to join me in a bra-burning protest to bring attention to today’s completely unachievable beauty standard, would you join me?
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5 comments:
Wow, I am right there with you. I always thought the protest involved bra-burning. The partial truth has become so much a part of popular culture, I never really questioned it.
I never liked the bra-burning or bra-trashing protest very much, anyway. Although, I can certainly get behind the principle of the protest, I am not sure why the bras became a symbol of women's objectification. As a gal with a "C" cup size, my white cotton bra is a matter of comfort for me, not oppression. Maybe they should have thrown out their lipstick or even better their pantyhose. I don't think I know anyone who likes to wear pantyhose!
A protest of the unachievable beauty standard? Well, there certainly is that problem still today. I can even get down on myself sometimes when I see beautiful models and actresses in the media and I am an "enlightened" adult feminist. Not to mention all anti-aging products advertisements being bombarded at us constantly. The issue is so complex, though. I think there actually have really been a lot of improvements. But then again, some things I guess have gotten a lot worse, I suppose.
I would join a protest, sure. As long as it is pantyhose and not bras that we would be burning! Seriously, though, I guess to really get me motivated for a public protest, it would probably have to be an immediate issue that needed addressing, like some type of legislation or something. In addition to public protesting though, I think that personal responsibility is also really important to combat such issues. A strong sense of individual self-esteem and self-confidence goes a long way. That is why it is so important to help girls at home and at school cultivate these things in themselves.
How do I think the female media would cover a bra-burning protest in 2008? I cringe to even say it, but I think they would do a poor job. I am so disappointed in the "whimpy" media in general, and Barbie Doll anchor women in particular. My guess: they would either underplay it, or distance themselves from it so as not to appear to be feminist bitches.
I wouldn't burn a bra. To me, it has no symbolism. I like my bras. I don't wear any clothing that would express my feelings about femininity. Instead, I would burn: 1) a copy of my paycheck that is 76cents to my male colleague's dollar; 2) a copy of Vogue magazine (or any media portraying emaciated waif models); 3) a DVD cover of one of the many movies portraying women as victims of violence...I can probably think of a few more, but I'm tired.
Food for thought. Thanks, Susan!
I beleive that if these protest were reported today by women they would only state the facts. I believe women are still fighting for equal respect in the public eye so they many times "act like men reporters". I heard someone say that the full proof of equality in the media was when Katie Couric moved to CBS, she earned the lead postion but, just like the men before her, she was not able to move CBS up in the ratings. I am not sure how I feel about that statement but I thought it was interesting.
By the way, if you all have not seen the movie, The Changling, I highly recommend it. I was shocked to see what women dealt with in regards to the corruption of the LAPD.
Sign me up for a bra burning "like" event. I am not sure I would have said that 10 years ago but through the years I have gained strength through knowledge, mentors and life lessons. I applaud those who have come before me as they have paved and easier path for me.
test 2
Emma writes:
I have just finished reading "The Girl I Left Behind" by Judith Nies. Before I read this book, I too, thought that the women burned their bras at the Miss America Contest in the Summer of 1968. Now I am reading this blog and I realize that many other folks didn't realize that the women protesting in Atlantic City didn't burn their bras. It is amazing how stories get started by the Media and they become myth. What actually happened is the Atlantic City mayor, concerned about fire safely on the wooden boardwalk, refused to issue a fire permit. The women decided to have a symbolic bra burning. They called it the Freedom Trash Can. They put cosmetic items and bras in the can without a fire.
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