links: random

[rose_griffes]

Have some completely random links, so I can clear them out of my bookmarks.

The Atlantic magazine had an interesting article on The Invisible Borders That Define American Culture. My favorite map at the link is the fifth one down: a breakdown of where people say "soda" versus "pop" and "coke." (I grew up saying pop, switched to calling it soda,

Comments

[angstbunny]

EXACTLY. That's what bugs the SHIT out of me regarding these comments about Black Widow in Avengers, because she is not filmed in a way that is any different from the other Avengers, and her costume is no more inherently sexy or objectifying than the men. Yes, I think there should be more women in this movie and less men. Yes, I think Maria Hill should have more to do and more characterization. But considering Black Widow unto herself, she is treated equally as the men. AND ISN'T THAT WHAT WE WANT?

And you know, I love that she was treated IN CONTEXT and IN CHARACTER, too. Yeah, she's badass. She kicks butt. But she also showed vulnerability, and she is pointed out to be as a spy, NOT a field agent who deals exclusively with violence. And I wonder if that isn't the clouding issue. Because she got to show vulnerability, and people equate vulnerability as feminine and therefore weak and thus Black Window acting vulnerable means OMG SHE'S JUST A WOMAN and therefore BAAAAAAD. Or something. When in the end, she actually did the opposite, by utilizing her vulnerability as a weapon (against the opening Russian guys and against Loki, who is a GOD, might I add), but also those moments of REAL vulnerability that displayed her strength and courage (when she was super shaken up post-Banner Hulking out, but then the call came, she put herself together and answered the call). In a lot of ways, this is one of the best characterization of a woman I've come across, because she got to BE vulnerable in so many fashion and NONE of it made her "weak" AND she got to be beautiful without being objectified.

In another words, Natasha didn't have to act or look like a man in order to be strong, complex, kickass, respected, and treated equally. THAT IS FUCKING AWESOME.

... apparently I have a lot of feelings about Black Widow. ^^;;;