Uppity Women

[butterfly]

I'm currently reading a book called Uppity Women of the Renaissance (part of a series about Uppity Women), which is about 200+ women who Did Things. It's short and conversational but a lot of fun. I'm probably going to search out and read the rest of the books in the series

Comments

[amycooper]

I think it is good and healthy to find role models in women. So often media has lacked strong female characters that is is relief to see such a good number now.

Female sexuality can be a tricky thing, even if you ignore personal experience and go for a more modern, general discussion. It has traditionally be a passive thing. While you can see it in other times and cultures, you can really see it in Victorian England and America. Women sexuality depended on a passiveness. Men needed to take care of women because it was thought that they could do and handle many things and that made them both feminine and beautiful.

That vein of thought still exists, but also the idea that sexuality has power. That a sexually attractive woman has a certain power over men and even her fellow women. The idea that a powerful woman, a woman that holds responsibilities, jobs and power in a traditionally male sphere has also evolved. Ironically according to modern society a sexual woman is asking to be victimized (raped) and, at the same time, has the power to screw you over.

I was made fun of a lot as a kid. I was told by the kids in school I was ugly. Ironically I didn't grow up afraid of my looks. I do look good now, quite possibly then too. I almost have a revengish feeling about how I look, like somehow I deserve to look as sexy as hell just to show all those people in middle school what's what. I like to dress in ways that make me look good but don't make me look slutty. Much of what makes someone look sexy, in my opinion, is how they hold themselves, how the walk. I find myself attracted to people that seem filled with a certain amount of self-assurance and confidence. After I got away from those that made fun of me and hurt me in middle school (I went to a private high school) I made a promise to myself to never walk hunched over like I did in middle school. To hold myself with a certain amount of confidence. At the time it was a strategy to avoid be picked on (so I won't look like a victim) but I think it really helped my self esteem over time.

I'm starting to ramble. I'm not sure exactly where I'm going with this at this point so...er...

[butterfly]

I think it is good and healthy to find role models in women. So often media has lacked strong female characters that is is relief to see such a good number now.

Indeed! I really think that there's a lot more choice out there than there used to be. More choice and fewer stereotypes. More writers writing for people who happen to be women rather than women (who may be people).