There’s something so frustratingly typical about Naomi Wolf’s Guardian article that names Carrie Bradshaw – a fictional character – the feminist icon of the decade. Somehow, it’s become easier to point to popular cultural moments as feminist wins than to tell the stories of actual activists and the real work being done.
Yes, Sex and the City was a cultural phenomenon. One that – as Wolf writes – centered female friendships and discussed sex unabashedly and without shame. No small feat to be sure.
But this is also the same series that told a story to its young viewers of women whose primary life concerns were men and shopping. A show with nary a person of color in sight (unless as backdrop or sassy assistants). A show that depicted a New York City of wealth, luxury and privilege – certainly not the city I knew and grew up in.
After all, it wasn’t equality or politics that SATC made popular (unless you count the episode where Carrie dates a political candidate who likes to be peed on) – it was Manolos.
Is this really what we want to call a feminist milestone?
I understand Wolf’s inclination to write the piece; I think pop culture is incredibly important and that writing about it can open up feminism to a more mainstream audience. And as Tracy at Broadsheet points out, Wolf is careful to write that Bradshaw “did as much to shift the culture around certain women’s issues as real-life feminist groundbreakers.” (Emphasis mine) But when we give more power to fictional characters whose contribution to feminist discourse is questionable at best, we do a disservice to to the real feminist heroes out there.
Now, as a writer who likes to actually get things published – I know how hard it is to pitch a profile to a large publication that names a grassroots organizer, national activist, or even a politician as the feminist icon of the decade (or whatever other important sounding title they’re looking for). Carrie Bradshaw is most definitely an easier sell.
But when the national conversation around the movement, particularly as it pertains to young people, is one that doesn’t seem to believe that feminism exists outside of old school organizations, SATC or frigging yogurt commercials - I believe we have a responsibility to to try and change the direction of that discourse, not to fan its flames.
So, in the spirit of recognizing the often under-appreciated contributions of activists, writers and organizers – leave your “feminist of the decade” in comments.
UPDATE: This trailer of the new SATC movie makes me feel even more strongly about how ugh it is to call the series a feminist milestone. The race and class analysis that could be done from these two minutes alone could fill a frigging journal.
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11 Comments
Without seeming like too much of a groupie. My feminist of the decade would have to be you Jessica. Reading your book “Full Frontal Feminism” made me think and act the way I do today. I loved the book so much that I gave it to my teen sister to read who in turn passed it on to her friends who passed it on to their friends (it took me nearly a year to get it back!). I then gave a copy of it to each female in my family as Christmas presents in 2008. You have a way of writing that appeals to the younger generation, the ones I feel need to read these books the most, the ones who have lost touch with feminism because they accept the societal messages that tell them equality has been achieved. You’re words are so inspiring and motivating that you even made my boyfriend a feminist (considering his macho Cuban upbringing that says a lot!!) Needless to say I’ve gone on to read nearly every feminist piece you’ve recommended or edited from the Feminist Manifesto to Yes Means Yes. You are an inspiration to our generation and the ones that follow ours. Thanks Jessica, thanks a million!
Aw, thanks Jennifer! *blushes* I’m totally flattered. A couple of my feminist icons…. bell hooks, the folks at PEP, Julia Serano (if you haven’t read Whipping Girl, you really have to), and all of my Feministing co-bloggers.
I’d have to agree with the first commenter. You came to my school, Manchester College, this past spring and, while I’ve always identified as a feminist, you inspired me to start blogging about issues that are important to me (I’ve been a top blog on Amplify twice and I’m always super excited), and your convocation fostered some really awesome conversation between some of my best friends, all of whom identify as feminists now, and my mom and sister, both of whom read your book Full Frontal Feminism and now see me as less of the family’s black sheep, but as someone with some really valid points.
Sarah Haskins, too, is one of my heros. Her witty humor is a really great way to make people see that we are constantly inundated with sexist advertising and to actually care about. Both you and Sarah have writing and speaking styles that really appeal feminists and possible feminists of every generation. I think it is the women who do whatever it takes, from blogging to touring schools, that will really make the biggest impact on women and men everywhere.
I agree with the first commenter re Yes Means Yes – it really is a fabulous book and one of the very best I have ever read. Very different to what I was actually expecting it to be.
But can’t really agree with the OP. The sex ed on SATC was first class and aimed at women exclusively which has to be a first really. And I never agree with the criticism of the show that it was about shopping and men. Yes, there was lots of shopping, especially for shoes – and it was pointed out to Bradshaw that the buying of these shoes meant she couldn’t afford to buy her flat. Have you actually watched all the episodes of SATC?
As for my feminist of the decade I would have to think about that a lot. I am very tempting to put me
Ha, nothing wrong with selfpromotion! And yes, of course I’ve seen the whole series – but I stick by my criticism. Just check out the trailer for the new SATC movie (embedded above). How is this not all consumerism and glitz?
Yeah, Jessica, that’d be you.
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!! I really appreciate this soooooo much I think girls are being so miss led by all this “Sex and the City” culture of thinking that the only important part of empowerment is having sex!!! So frustrating I mean sex is great but it is not the only form of empowerment its just the easiest and it is so misleading to girls!! Oh boy I cant believe that Wolf of all people was the one to write that! Anyway thank you so much for writing that I totally agree…
I couldn’t agree more. Something I wanted to add to the criticism of the SATC series is the problematic way in which they represent gay culture. Never once do you get the opportunity to understand, intricately, the lives of the gay men represented throughout the series. They always appear as stereotypical ‘fag hags’ — available at every possible moment to consult Carrie on her fashion choices, as well as her love life.
To answer your question though — my ‘feminist of the decade’ definitely has to be my feminist theory professor at Cal State Long Beach. Dr. Philipose really pushed me to expand my understanding of feminism. On top of that — she made me feel at home. She helped me understand how I, as an arbiter of male privilege, could find my own unique place in the feminist movement…. and I haven’t looked back since. I will never forget what she did for me.
I semi-agree that there are definite class and race issues involved with sex and the city. This is why the point is that they are four sucessful and powerful women who do not need to depend on men to “take care of them” (except maybe Charlotte). None of them got married unitl they were well into their 30′s and it was the last season of the show. However, I totally agree that the movie was totally anti-feminst. Carrie gets left at the altar, and still gets back with Big! Lame. So, the premise of the show is a good one, but some specfic topics addressed in the show and the movies are not so good.
I would also say that you’re the feminist of the decade, Jessica. In fact, you inspired me to write a blog post on the matter.
“And yes, of course I’ve seen the whole series – but I stick by my criticism. Just check out the trailer for the new SATC movie (embedded above). How is this not all consumerism and glitz?”
Apologies for thinking you hadn’t. Tbh 99% of Hollywood is consumerism and glitz – perhaps the film mentions the life of the women in the country it is filmed in (I believe it is Morocco) but I’m not holding my breath.