I. Introduction:
My Body is my Manifesto! Slutwalk, FεMεN an femmenist protest This article was written by Theresa O'Keefe.
Publication date: July 1, 2014
Theresa O’Keefe is a lecturer in the Department of Sociology at the National University of Ireland Maynooth. In her research, she talks about gender, social activism and radical social change. O’Keefe has a published book and published works in the International Feminist Journal of Politics, National Identities, Nationalism, Nationalism and Ethnic Politics, and Interface: A Journal and about Social Movements.
In this article, O’Keefe contextualizes two ‘feminists’ movements, SlutWalk and FEMEN and reverberates around some ‘difficulties’ she has with it as feminist political projects.
II. Facts:
1 in 3 (33%) women are survivors of sexual violence or intimate partner violence. 1 in 6 (17%) men are victims of sexual violence.
26 % say that a woman is in sexy clothing she is partly to blame if they are raped
III. 3 Waves of Feminism:
- First wave, 19th century and early 20th century UK & US.
Women were fighting and won improved rights for women in marriage and property
In the UK the Suffragettes and Suffragists campaigned for the right to vote for women.
- Second wave, 1960s & 1970s
They extended the fight beyond political rights to education, work and the home. In USA, Issues of rape, domestic violence, abortion and access to childcare became a main topic
- Third Wave - The main issues we face today were prefaced by the work done by the previous waves of women. We are still working to vanquish the disparities in male and female pay and the reproductive rights of women. We are working to end violence against women in our nation as well as others, as well as fightingfor individuality and freedom.
- We are in the neoliberal era where Postfeminism emphasis on freedom of choice and ability to consume is shared with third-wave feminism. The post-feminist woman has total body freedom and embraces sex and sexuality on a different level.
However, there is still a long way to go for being equal.
26 % say that a woman is in sexy clothing she is partly to blame if they are raped
III. 3 Waves of Feminism:
- First wave, 19th century and early 20th century UK & US.
Women were fighting and won improved rights for women in marriage and property
In the UK the Suffragettes and Suffragists campaigned for the right to vote for women.
- Second wave, 1960s & 1970s
They extended the fight beyond political rights to education, work and the home. In USA, Issues of rape, domestic violence, abortion and access to childcare became a main topic
- Third Wave - The main issues we face today were prefaced by the work done by the previous waves of women. We are still working to vanquish the disparities in male and female pay and the reproductive rights of women. We are working to end violence against women in our nation as well as others, as well as fightingfor individuality and freedom.
- We are in the neoliberal era where Postfeminism emphasis on freedom of choice and ability to consume is shared with third-wave feminism. The post-feminist woman has total body freedom and embraces sex and sexuality on a different level.
However, there is still a long way to go for being equal.
IV. “women should avoid dressing like Sluts in order not to be victimized”
“During safety advise talk at a Law school at University in Toronto. One of these officers declared that: if women wanted to stay safe they should avoid “dressing like sluts”.
These words outraged men and women across the country and started a series of demonstrations and marches and a worldwide campaign that reacheds around the world. The Slutwalk movement are marching in order to call for an end to rape culture, including victim blaming and slut shaming of sexual assault victims.
V. SlutWalk Victim blaming
It was not only the comment, and that it was a police officer who said this, a person that we want to assume wants to protect people from becoming victims, but it was also the use of the word “slut” that aggravated people.
To be dressed slutty or being a slut, means that women attract sexual assault. One of the most frequent used questions asked around rape, is “what was she wearing?”
The subtext of his comment has a connection to victim blaming; that the victim could have prevented or should have known better, they them self could have prevented the sexual assault by not dressing or behaving like a slut.
That the Victims are responsible, or somehow ‘are asking’ for the violence used against them.
VI. SlutWalk what is slutwalk?
SlutWalk is a form of body protest that simultaneously celebrates and exploits the sexy female body because this body does sell the message: The protests are mostly made up by women dressed as ‘sluts’ in explicit, exaggerating way, wearing fishnet stockings, lingerie, corsets - sexy clothes showing their, semi nude, bare nude bodies with words written on them.
Still, on their webpage they welcome people, to just join, no matter of what they wear.
VII. Slutwalk
There is usually live music, speaker meetings, event and, sign-making sessions, open microphones letting rape survivors tell their stories, chanting, dances. The show-alike-appearance has been compared to a gay parade.
The big different Is that a gay parade celebrates diversity, and given to the history account that it was illegal to be gay before/ they are and have from the beginning taking a bigger risk, its still and unsafe taboo that’s arguably more transgressive as a result than a Slutwalk.
As the author presents the idea of these ‘showy’ protests for Slutwalk are not having any effect onto people’s point of view regarding the sexual independence of women.
VIII. Amber Rose
Amber Rose herself is a model, entrepreneur and celebrity personality, as well as a proud former stripper, who has herself over the years been frequently "slut-shamed" in the media – is spokewomen for Slutwalk.
There is usually live music, speaker meetings, event and, sign-making sessions, open microphones letting rape survivors tell their stories, chanting, dances. The show-alike-appearance has been compared to a gay parade.
The big different Is that a gay parade celebrates diversity, and given to the history account that it was illegal to be gay before/ they are and have from the beginning taking a bigger risk, its still and unsafe taboo that’s arguably more transgressive as a result than a Slutwalk.
As the author presents the idea of these ‘showy’ protests for Slutwalk are not having any effect onto people’s point of view regarding the sexual independence of women.
VIII. Amber Rose
Amber Rose herself is a model, entrepreneur and celebrity personality, as well as a proud former stripper, who has herself over the years been frequently "slut-shamed" in the media – is spokewomen for Slutwalk.
VIIII. Slutwalk – Controversy
The organisers claim that celebrating the word "slut", and promoting sluttishness in general, will help women achieve full autonomy over their sexuality. But the focus on "reclaiming" the word slut fails to address the real issue and has been very controversial:
In an article for The Guardian, Gail dines and Wendy Murphy wrote: While the organisers of the slutwalk might think that proudly calling themselves sluts is a way to empower women, they are in fact making life harder for girl who are trying to navigate their way through the tricky terrain of adolescence .... And in The Huffington Post, there was an open letter posted, because their lack of diversity and not everybody has felt equally comfortable embracing the word "slut" – a misogynistic term entrenched in a long history of female sexual subordination. Some were quick to argue that an ability to reclaim the word is limited to those who already have a certain degree of sexual privilege, and in 2011, a group of black female academics, activists, and writers wrote an open letter to the Slutwalk, explaining that
“as Black women, we do not have the privilege or the space to call ourselves ‘slut’ without validating the already historically entrenched ideology and recurring messages about what and who the black woman is."
“As Black women, we do not have the privilege or the space to call ourselves “slut” without validating the already historically entrenched ideology and recurring messages about what and who the Black woman is. We don’t have the privilege to play on destructive representations burned in our collective minds, on our bodies and souls for generations. Although we understand the valid impetus behind the use of the word “slut” as language to frame and brand an anti-rape movement, we are gravely concerned. For us the trivialization of rape and the absence of justice are viciously intertwined with narratives of sexual surveillance, legal access and availability to our personhood. It is tied to institutionalized ideology about our bodies as sexualized objects of property, as spectacles of sexuality and deviant sexual desire. It is tied to notions about our clothed or unclothed bodies as unable to be raped whether on the auction block, in the fields or on living room television screens.
“The perception and wholesale acceptance of speculations about what the Black woman wants, what she needs and what she deserves has truly, long crossed the boundaries of her mode of dress.”
Even if Slutwalk is a movement that has its roots in feminism, offer little by way of an analysis of the material realities of women’s bodies, and Slutwalk refused to adopt the label “feminism” and consequently there is no acknowledgement of patriarchy and no reference to systemic racism, homophobia, and heteronormativity.
They lack strategies of resistance and there is no real structural account of violence against woman.
Women should be fighting for liberation from culturally imposed myths about their sexuality that encourage gendered violence.
The problem is that we're blaming them for their own victimisation no matter what they do. Encouraging women to be even more "sluttish" will not change this ugly reality.
One side it’s good that they call themselves sluts, so no one else can shame them, but on the other hand why use and name themselves after something seem as “negative”.
We want to empower women and I believe we do this by showing a strong and united front with woman and men together, no matter of age, gender, race, religion or appearance.
As the author says, I agree I don’t think their political message gets conveyed by their protests. However as there is many women in the SluWalk movement that has been assaulted, the find a refugee
and a community to share or just be able to not feel like they are alone.
The organisers claim that celebrating the word "slut", and promoting sluttishness in general, will help women achieve full autonomy over their sexuality. But the focus on "reclaiming" the word slut fails to address the real issue and has been very controversial:
In an article for The Guardian, Gail dines and Wendy Murphy wrote: While the organisers of the slutwalk might think that proudly calling themselves sluts is a way to empower women, they are in fact making life harder for girl who are trying to navigate their way through the tricky terrain of adolescence .... And in The Huffington Post, there was an open letter posted, because their lack of diversity and not everybody has felt equally comfortable embracing the word "slut" – a misogynistic term entrenched in a long history of female sexual subordination. Some were quick to argue that an ability to reclaim the word is limited to those who already have a certain degree of sexual privilege, and in 2011, a group of black female academics, activists, and writers wrote an open letter to the Slutwalk, explaining that
“as Black women, we do not have the privilege or the space to call ourselves ‘slut’ without validating the already historically entrenched ideology and recurring messages about what and who the black woman is."
“As Black women, we do not have the privilege or the space to call ourselves “slut” without validating the already historically entrenched ideology and recurring messages about what and who the Black woman is. We don’t have the privilege to play on destructive representations burned in our collective minds, on our bodies and souls for generations. Although we understand the valid impetus behind the use of the word “slut” as language to frame and brand an anti-rape movement, we are gravely concerned. For us the trivialization of rape and the absence of justice are viciously intertwined with narratives of sexual surveillance, legal access and availability to our personhood. It is tied to institutionalized ideology about our bodies as sexualized objects of property, as spectacles of sexuality and deviant sexual desire. It is tied to notions about our clothed or unclothed bodies as unable to be raped whether on the auction block, in the fields or on living room television screens.
“The perception and wholesale acceptance of speculations about what the Black woman wants, what she needs and what she deserves has truly, long crossed the boundaries of her mode of dress.”
Even if Slutwalk is a movement that has its roots in feminism, offer little by way of an analysis of the material realities of women’s bodies, and Slutwalk refused to adopt the label “feminism” and consequently there is no acknowledgement of patriarchy and no reference to systemic racism, homophobia, and heteronormativity.
They lack strategies of resistance and there is no real structural account of violence against woman.
Women should be fighting for liberation from culturally imposed myths about their sexuality that encourage gendered violence.
The problem is that we're blaming them for their own victimisation no matter what they do. Encouraging women to be even more "sluttish" will not change this ugly reality.
One side it’s good that they call themselves sluts, so no one else can shame them, but on the other hand why use and name themselves after something seem as “negative”.
We want to empower women and I believe we do this by showing a strong and united front with woman and men together, no matter of age, gender, race, religion or appearance.
As the author says, I agree I don’t think their political message gets conveyed by their protests. However as there is many women in the SluWalk movement that has been assaulted, the find a refugee
and a community to share or just be able to not feel like they are alone.
X. Femen - Founder
The feminist organization was founded in Kyiv in 2008 by a young feminist, Anna Hutsol described as the mastermind of the group, followed by Oksana Shachklo, Inna Shevchenklo and Sasha Shevchenko, to protest against the sex tourism boom in Ukraine. At the beginning of the movement, the activists were against everything that was masculine, they refused all men, but little by little, their goal became the „total victory over patriarchy“, organization based on the authority of the father and qualify themselves as „neo-feminists“, an organization based on total equality of the sexes. The movement then gradually spread to several countries. Today, the Femen is present in „eleven countries in total“, including Spain, Germany, Holland and Brazil.
XI. Femen – Outfit
At the beginning of the movement, their actions were more „theatrical“ they had costumes and perform some show. Soon they find their symbol: a topless young woman with a crown
on her head. This outfit makes them recognizable throughout the world. In the same way, the flower crown is use as a folkloric accessory in Ukraine, but also represent the symbol of unmarried, free and strong girls. Femen took this as trademark: „a new woman: beautiful, active and free.“ The Femen lead their actions topless, with slogans painted on the body to mark the minds and attract the attention of the media they protest against „the abuse of the female body“. Their official targets: „the patriarchal values that permeate industrialized societies“ and the religions that oppress women. But their fight is sometimes more political.
The feminist organization was founded in Kyiv in 2008 by a young feminist, Anna Hutsol described as the mastermind of the group, followed by Oksana Shachklo, Inna Shevchenklo and Sasha Shevchenko, to protest against the sex tourism boom in Ukraine. At the beginning of the movement, the activists were against everything that was masculine, they refused all men, but little by little, their goal became the „total victory over patriarchy“, organization based on the authority of the father and qualify themselves as „neo-feminists“, an organization based on total equality of the sexes. The movement then gradually spread to several countries. Today, the Femen is present in „eleven countries in total“, including Spain, Germany, Holland and Brazil.
XI. Femen – Outfit
At the beginning of the movement, their actions were more „theatrical“ they had costumes and perform some show. Soon they find their symbol: a topless young woman with a crown
on her head. This outfit makes them recognizable throughout the world. In the same way, the flower crown is use as a folkloric accessory in Ukraine, but also represent the symbol of unmarried, free and strong girls. Femen took this as trademark: „a new woman: beautiful, active and free.“ The Femen lead their actions topless, with slogans painted on the body to mark the minds and attract the attention of the media they protest against „the abuse of the female body“. Their official targets: „the patriarchal values that permeate industrialized societies“ and the religions that oppress women. But their fight is sometimes more political.
XII.Femen Logo
The Femen logo reproduces the Cyrillic letter Ф (Ef) and symbolizes the
Ukrainian flag with the colors yellow and blue, while recalling the shape of breasts. Their slogan, present in their manifesto: „Our God is woman! Our mission is protest! Our weapon is the naked breast! Here is born Femen, They have put in action radical feminism, „admittedly aggressive but non-violent“ it what they call Sextremism.
XIII.Femen Quote
„I discovered the Femen with the DSK case. For me at first it was an incredible picture. I thought that they used the advertising codes with a slogan and summarized ten pages of manifesto into an extremely effective image.„
XIIII. Femen Controversity
After having to deal with the Article and Pictures of the Femen I started to Question myself on the true Value of Femen in the feminist World. What do we remember from the actions of the Femen (what result)? Not that much in fact. If not their hysteria and nudity. They can show there breasts to attract cameras and photographers but not to carry a credible and understandable political message. The Femen are unfortunately more seen than heard and they contribute to fuel the image of the hyper sexualized woman object and it that they betray and harm the feminist cause. In Western countries and in our society of communication and soft news, the multiplication of images and actions will inevitably lead to the trivialization of the actions of the Femen.
Inna Shevchenko was a guest at Al Jazeera English‘s show „The Stream“ and she claim to be the first new feminism movement how act by showing of there breasts and that‘s absolutly not true. Show her breasts to achieve equality between men and women is nonsense if you think about it. These are old recipes of political happening and sensational discounts to the tastes of the day ... Femen is not the new feminism... There is nothing new here, it is all warmed over.
XV. Quote
To modernize a society it‘s not enough to show a few breasts and had some tweets on the top. Through their actions, the Femen disrupt the work of feminists.
If men will show their genitals to prove their point, how will women react.
XVI. What can we do?
In an ideal world, everyone should be able to go out into the street, go to work dressed as he / she wishes. But for that it would be necessary that the men and women are tolerant, and the history proves the opposite. Parents who have girls seem to carry on with sex education a lot. Why do you tell girls to be vigilant, but think that guys will educate themselves? We spend a lot of time educating girls to be „Laidies“.
Cross your legs.
Do not undress. Pay attention. Do not come back late or unaccompanied. By restricting them, we think to protect them. It‘s up to the parents to request a behavior that keeps children away from those who commit sexual assault
I think: For resolving the problems of the Rape Culture, the first step will be to Educate children about what consent means.
. It‘s like that, son. Do not insist, it‘s her body, she decides.
XVII. Introduce Feminism in Graphic design
When we talk about Art and feminism today, the period that remains the most remarkable in our minds is the late 1960s and early 1970s. Historically is where the artistic field crosses the women ‘s liberation movement and is inspired by it, it is also where major transformations occur within the criticism and trough history of arts, it first begins in the United States where posters created by feminist communicated about how to remove the stereotypical gender roles from the society and considering men and women individual equals on the same parameters.
I would like to share some intersing Feminist Art/Design.
1. Barbra Kruger – Graphic Design
Much of her work consists of blackand-white photographs overlaid with declarative captions—in white-on-red Futura Bold Oblique or Helvetica Ultra Condensed. The phrases in her works often include pronouns such as “you”, “your”, “I”, “we”, and “they”, addressing cultural constructions of power, identity, and sexuality.
2.Guerrilla Girls
Anonymous group of feminists, female artists devoted to fighting sexism and racism within the art world. Motto: Reinventing the “F” word: feminism!
To modernize a society it‘s not enough to show a few breasts and had some tweets on the top. Through their actions, the Femen disrupt the work of feminists.
If men will show their genitals to prove their point, how will women react.
XVI. What can we do?
In an ideal world, everyone should be able to go out into the street, go to work dressed as he / she wishes. But for that it would be necessary that the men and women are tolerant, and the history proves the opposite. Parents who have girls seem to carry on with sex education a lot. Why do you tell girls to be vigilant, but think that guys will educate themselves? We spend a lot of time educating girls to be „Laidies“.
Cross your legs.
Do not undress. Pay attention. Do not come back late or unaccompanied. By restricting them, we think to protect them. It‘s up to the parents to request a behavior that keeps children away from those who commit sexual assault
I think: For resolving the problems of the Rape Culture, the first step will be to Educate children about what consent means.
. It‘s like that, son. Do not insist, it‘s her body, she decides.
XVII. Introduce Feminism in Graphic design
When we talk about Art and feminism today, the period that remains the most remarkable in our minds is the late 1960s and early 1970s. Historically is where the artistic field crosses the women ‘s liberation movement and is inspired by it, it is also where major transformations occur within the criticism and trough history of arts, it first begins in the United States where posters created by feminist communicated about how to remove the stereotypical gender roles from the society and considering men and women individual equals on the same parameters.
I would like to share some intersing Feminist Art/Design.
1. Barbra Kruger – Graphic Design
Much of her work consists of blackand-white photographs overlaid with declarative captions—in white-on-red Futura Bold Oblique or Helvetica Ultra Condensed. The phrases in her works often include pronouns such as “you”, “your”, “I”, “we”, and “they”, addressing cultural constructions of power, identity, and sexuality.
2.Guerrilla Girls
Anonymous group of feminists, female artists devoted to fighting sexism and racism within the art world. Motto: Reinventing the “F” word: feminism!
3.Cécile Dormeau
has worked as a graphic designer and illustrator in design agencies in Hamburg and Berlin, and as a junior art director in an ad agency at Ogilvy One in Frankfurt. She was interviewed by Cosmopolitan Magazine last year highlighting her clever and pointed illustrations that challenge women’s body image issues.
has worked as a graphic designer and illustrator in design agencies in Hamburg and Berlin, and as a junior art director in an ad agency at Ogilvy One in Frankfurt. She was interviewed by Cosmopolitan Magazine last year highlighting her clever and pointed illustrations that challenge women’s body image issues.
XVIII. Questions
1. What do you think is the different between sexy and slutty?
2. How should movement like these ones attract the attention from the media and the public without using their bodies?
2. How should movement like these ones attract the attention from the media and the public without using their bodies?
Presentation hold by:
CLARA WIKSTRÖM
ROMY WEIMANN
MA GRAPHIC DESIGN 2017/2018
ROMY WEIMANN
MA GRAPHIC DESIGN 2017/2018
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