Is Burlesque Anti-Feminist?
A friend of mine and I were debating about whether my involvement in a burlesque troupe is a step back from the years of the feminist lifestyle I have lived. Whenever I talk to her about the troupe, she makes a noise, such as "hmm," which drips with a supressed feminist rant. Her view, in my words, not hers: Burlesque perpetuates the idea that women are allowed to be objectified and we can only hold value if we are seen as being sexually desirable.
Well, she has a point. But here is my point: In a culture that places so much value on appearance and makes women hate ourselves because of how we look no matter what we look like, isn't it wonderful that there is an outlet for women to love our bodies? Besides, why do women have to hide our sexuality in order to be feminists? Women are sexual, so why is it is horrible to be sexually desirable? Pretending that we as women are not sexual beings simply to prove that we are equal to men is silly. That is like burning bras. Why did women burn bras? I never understood that. Burning a bra is pretending you don't need something when you need it.
And let's not skip over the fact that women are constantly being objectifed and sexualized no matter what. You don't think so? Ladies, put on your grungiest pair of sweats and walk past a construction site. Are sweats and construction sites perpetuating the objectification of women, too? I spent the majority of my teen years making myself look ugly to mainstream society by dressing in an extreme punk/goth style. I felt like I was taking a stand against being objectified. However, it didn't make any difference. Take a look at Suicide Girls. I bet if I stopped brushing my hair and taking showers, there would still be some jerk who would objectify me. And then there would be a website called nappyheadedsmellychicks.com.
I am not blind the the sexism of today's society and I would like it to change, but I also don't let it control my life. If ever I get to a point in burlesque where I feel it limits me in other aspects of my life or if I feel like I am not being respected, I will quit. So far, it's been fine.
Well, she has a point. But here is my point: In a culture that places so much value on appearance and makes women hate ourselves because of how we look no matter what we look like, isn't it wonderful that there is an outlet for women to love our bodies? Besides, why do women have to hide our sexuality in order to be feminists? Women are sexual, so why is it is horrible to be sexually desirable? Pretending that we as women are not sexual beings simply to prove that we are equal to men is silly. That is like burning bras. Why did women burn bras? I never understood that. Burning a bra is pretending you don't need something when you need it.
And let's not skip over the fact that women are constantly being objectifed and sexualized no matter what. You don't think so? Ladies, put on your grungiest pair of sweats and walk past a construction site. Are sweats and construction sites perpetuating the objectification of women, too? I spent the majority of my teen years making myself look ugly to mainstream society by dressing in an extreme punk/goth style. I felt like I was taking a stand against being objectified. However, it didn't make any difference. Take a look at Suicide Girls. I bet if I stopped brushing my hair and taking showers, there would still be some jerk who would objectify me. And then there would be a website called nappyheadedsmellychicks.com.
I am not blind the the sexism of today's society and I would like it to change, but I also don't let it control my life. If ever I get to a point in burlesque where I feel it limits me in other aspects of my life or if I feel like I am not being respected, I will quit. So far, it's been fine.
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Unfortunately, 'Suicide Girls' are not really alternative - they're still largely white, middle-class skinny girls without any remarkable physical variances. Tattooes and piercings and hair dye just imply that they're down to be a little bit more naughty (read: take it up the butt, do it with another girl) to their audience (i.e. men, including most of my ex boyfriends, even the fags!). It's almost worse than Vanilla style porn, which just implies the typical submissive/pneumatic/brainless female.
I agree with you. I believe that women should be paid equal, be given consideration in the work world for the fact that they may want to have children (or none of the men would be here), but I don't believe that a tasteful (or not so tasteful, depending on the person) dance denigrates a woman. If you like to dance burlesque then do it. Express yourself, and if people want to pay to watch so much the better. IF it makes you feel cheap and tawdry, then don't do it. Find what makes you happy and joyful and do that!
I like to watch a burlesque dancer (and it is all dancing to me) who is really good and enjoys what she is doing, especially if she makes it fun. I like the elaborate costumes or themed costumes and the attention to detail. I appreciate the degree of athleticism involved in making those pasties spin or shimmying your hips and abs. It's not easy, but a good stripper makes every woman think, maybe I could do that.
I also agree it's no more titillating than watching an R rated movie (though, frankly, I would rather watch an obviously sexy burlesque dance than the frequently gratuitous sex in a movie that is not really necessary for or germaine to the plot).
I don't believe that a woman celebrating that she likes her body, enjoys being a woman and dressing up, and has fun in a joyful, playful way is sexist. More people should spread around and share their joy of life and happiness with themselves. It would make for a better world. Joy is contagious.
I liked reading your blog because it is so positive and you sound like you enjoy all of your life.
you are still equating being a sexual being with being sexaully objectified.
Ah the burning bra myth....
If raunching around with your flesh hanging out seeking sexual approval really makes you feel better then so be it, but you are contributing to the perpetuation of the sexual objectification of women, the idea that a woman can only be 'empowered' through her body and her sexuality (a sexuality defined by men, in Burlesque as well, believe it, you think you are in control of the moves, think again where they are coming from and who they are essentially for). I find the whole thing quite boring and cliched (corsets, suspenders etc, how original!). Why can't we all explore our own sexuality without being forcefed this scripted trash.
Personally, I have no use whatsoever for a bra (my breasts are small, round and perky, so no need to wear one and I'm living proof that your tits don't sag if you don't wear a bra - I'm 34 and they haven't dropped one iota - I hink strong back muscles do the trick better).
There's a test to see if you need to wear one or not (can you wedge a pencil under your chest)
Um, no one ever burned their bras. If you knew about feminist history, you'd know that was a media myth to marginalize the feminist movement as extreme.