So, I'm sure many of you know that Jodie Foster is a lesbian. And that she seems to be a tough little cookie - after all, I would never mess with her, she'd put you in a panic room, or escape into the hidden passages of your airplane or act all Nell-like. I did appreciate her in Silence of the Lambs because she gave Clarice Starling such vulnerability. But for the most part, she just seems too "hard" for my liking.
Which might explain this quote, taken from her interview in the Daily Mail: ""Look, it's terrible, I know, but weakness really, really bugs me, to the point that if there is a wounded bird on the sidewalk, I look at it and I go: I think I'll just kick it."
I really hope that is taken out of context because someone who would kick a dying bird, just because it's not strong enough, well...that kind of constitutes as Evil in my books, or at least slightly sociopathic.
Oddly enough though, if you continue reading the article, all it does is lambaste Foster for leaving her partner of 12 years or whatever for a younger woman - ironically both women are named Cindy.
It even goes so far as to use the bird quote as reasoning for the "latest malicious act in her life."
So she dumped her long-term gf for someone younger? So what? This happens ALL THE TIME. Men are always up and leaving women, trading them in for a younger model. It's not right and it sucks but it happens and that's just a fact of life. How come Foster is suddenly labbeled as cruel and heartless because she did it? Is it just because of the bird quote (because yes, by that I would have to label her just that but it doesn't really apply to relationships, or does it?) or is it because they are both women and because so, it's so UNHEARD OF for a woman to act like a man occasionally?
I don't know. I'm no feminist, not in the least - but I do feel that there is a bit of a double standard here. It would be less complicated, perhaps, if Foster wasn't an injured bird beater.
Speaking of women acting like men, Sex and the City comes out today. I am vaguely intersted in seeing it. I mean, I loved the show, have most seasons on DVD. But I'm not chomping at the bit to see it - I could easily wait till DVD. The problem is, I know every single woman I know is going to see it this weekend, so I may just feel a bit out of the loop.
I'm actually really looking forward to The Happening and The Dark Knight instead (and was looking forward to Indiana Jones but I've seen it already - I liked it a lot, despite crazy George Lucas's influence at the end there). Maybe it's the tomboy in me or just the fact that strangely, though I enjoy writing romantic comedies, I actually prefer to watch action/adventure/thrillers such as Iron Man (which was freakin' fantastic). I draw the line at The Hulk though - I have no idea how that's going to turn out to be remotely good at all - Ed Norton, what were you thinking?
8 comments:
I'm dying to see SATC but i dont want to pay full price to see it. All my friends who'd watch it with me live in Florida. So anyway, I'll watch it some other day... hope nobody gives any spoiler.
Ah, the old "I'm not a feminist, but..." What parts of feminism do you find hard to agree with?
While I'm not exactly an active member of the feminist movement myself, I've always wondered why many women are so quick to disassociate themselves with the term 'feminist'. Are you against women's rights? Think you should be discriminated against at work?
I don't mean to pick on you - I'm just really curious as to why the "not a feminist but" sentiment is still alive and well today.
Wow - totally tried to type drunk last night!
What I meant to say was, I'm not a feminist, and I state so, because I am not. Plain a simple.
I believe in equality in a lot of things, such as wages, but also aknowledge reasons why a woman may not be paid as much - such as childbirth. I just don't agree the pay loss should happen unless a woman is pregnant. That's the gift/loss a woman should accept.
On the whole I'm for women's rights and all that - but I still recognize that we are different no matter what, and I respect that.
I guess my main problem with feminism, or any radical movement actually, is the ra, ra ra cheerleading behind it. I find it very in your face, obnoxious, and I would rather not be associated with those individuals - it's just not me in the slightest. I'm also a Christian, but you'll never find me pushing my beliefs on anyone. I just wish some people had that same respect for differing opinions.
HA! I saw part of the Happening being filmed at Jardin des Tuleries here when I first got here! (I have a few pics on FB!)
As for the feminist comment, I believe that many women are quick to diassociate themselves with it for a few reasons:
Firstly because modern mainstream feminism has taken a very "anti-male" stance and I believe that many women don't want to make themselves out to be "man haters" After all classic feminsim had more to do with the system rather than the individuals and I believe that making it an attack on the opposite sex really puts many people off. You'll find that many people will dissasociate themselves from many noble causes such as environmentalism nit because they don't agree with them but more because they don't agree with the tactics used to spread the message.
Finally as bad as it sounds feminism had gotten a bad rap due partly to my other two arguments and that in itself turns people away. I am not saying that it's right. That's just how it is.
So just because people don't want to be labled "a feminist" does not mean that they don't agree with their founding principles, it just means that they don't want to be associated with the movement, and it is unfair to suggest that just because someone doesn't want to lable themselves as such doesn't mean that they don't believe in equality and women's rights, just as it is not right to assume that because someone does lable themselves a feminist that doesn't make them a man hater and the like.
Secondly as Karina said there is a huge amount of radicalism within the mainstream and that in itself turns people off.
wow, something funky happened with my last comment... put "second" before finally and I think it makes sense.... :P Don't comment when exhausted! (My littel tip for the day!)
Ha. I didn't know Jodi Foster was a lesbian (where the heck have I been?!) but I've also suspected as much.
I think that comparing dumping her "long term lover" with that of kicking a dying bird is completely out of line. Apples and Oranges, people.
As far as the "I'm not a feminist but...." I just had this conversation with someone earlier today. I don't even throw a "but" on there. I believe in seperate but equal....but I don't believe in affirmative action. I think that, as others have pointed out, feminists have made a name for themselves as being radical man haters. I think that women should be given a fair shot at most things as men BUT I don't think that women should get it "just because" they are women...just like I don't think someone should get a job just because they are white, black, mexican or whatever. Affirmative Action belittles the cause that so many people think is the "win" of a fight for "equal rights".
I've said it outloud. I am NOT a feminist. Sue me.
I was diappointed in Indy. Loved Iron Man and can't wait for The Happening and The Dark Knight also. Looks like to be a great summer for movies.
Interesting to hear the different associations with the word 'feminist'. I've never thought of feminists as man-haters - I always assumed that stereotype was based on negative hype propagated by misogynists. Affirmative action also isn't one of the first things to pop into my head. But I have to admit I don't really know what the main issues of today's feminist movement are. I assume it's stuff like equal opportunities in the workplace, the right to equal pay for equal work, and the right not to have to sleep with one's boss in order to get a promotion. Now I'm kind of curious to find out more, though. I wonder what crazy things googling 'feminism' will get me...
(And thanks for answering - it took me a while to get back here to read it thanks to visitors trying to steal my attention away from the internet. The nerve!)
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