Madonnas Role in a Feminist Culture Essay - 725 Words

Madonnas Role in a Feminist Culture In the book written by bell hooks, Outlaw Culture: Resisting Representations, she criticizes a number of the actions and viewpoints of Madonna. Claiming that Madonna has changed from appearing to be a strong feminist icon into a woman who no longer has a connection with feminist views, bell hooks examines how Madonna chooses to represent herself as well as Madonna’s changing role in the feminist world. According to bell hooks, initially Madonna was a very transgressive in a feminist sense, and now she appears to be almost welcoming of the phallocentric imperialist patriarchal views. I agree with our class discussion and with bell hooks’ critique, feeling that Madonna has changed from a woman who†¦show more content†¦With Madonna’s book Sex, she claims that it will open people’s minds, and the book is very groundbreaking and radical. According to bell hooks, this is nothing new or radical to the white patriarchal society, who sees the book as simp ly pornography. In the book there are images, all featuring Madonna, in a variety of sexual poses, with one of her standing over and appearing to dominate the black Naomi Campbell. This is a very strong representation of the sexist white supremacist society, with Madonna totally going against what she portrayed and seemingly advocated early in her career. She also displays this in her statement about women in abusive relationships. Madonna explains that basically women who stay in abusive relationships must like it, or they would leave. This blatant patriarchal standpoint is very obviously a sign of a changed Madonna. I agree with the critique of Madonna by bell hooks. I feel that it is very obvious that Madonna has changed from a once feminist woman to one that gives in and portrays the views and representations of a sexist white supremacist patriarchal society. I accept bell hooks’ view simply because of how Madonna has portrayed herself in the past and comparing these images with what she (Madonna) depicts now. I view Madonna as once a very sexually transgressive and powerful woman, always breaking the boundaries of white supremacy and patriarchy. Madonna now shows that she no longer cares about the ambitions of feminism.Show MoreRelatedEssay Mtv And The Madonna Phenomenon2134 Words   |  9 Pages MTV and The Madonna Phenomenon quot;Madonnas intuitive grasp on the televisual world in which we live- of the mediums possibilities for engaging spectators in diverse ways- that in part accounts for her success. She is the supreme television heroine.quot; (E. Ann Kaplan 271) quot;What are the main theories which we have studied so far and how have they affected how you view television?quot;-This is the question which this paper is supposed to answer. Obviously there is not enough time orRead MoreA Look At The Music Chart And Itunes Essay3208 Words   |  13 PagesA look at the music charts and iTunes now reveals the problems that post-feminism has triggered in popular music. Most artists represented on the music charts have used their sweet tone, sexual dance moves or provocative outfits to unite the post-feminist movement and represent the truths of sexuality. However, each artist understands the idea of post-feminism in a different light. Taylor Swift’s music doesn’t involve provocative clothing or dance moves, but sends the message of how to overcome beingRead MoreJudith Butlers Perception of the Female in the Modern Era: Gender Identity and the Act of Becoming in Cindy Shermans History Portraits6698 Words   |  27 Pagesmodern historical art world era allowed her to explore the themes and issues surrounding identity, which erupted with such force in America following the publication of Betty Friedans The Feminine Mystique in 1963. Sherman believed that her work was feminist but she rejected any strict categorization, feeling that ultimately such categorization hindered rather than helped her to connect with her art. Her approach to work grew out of an era largely defined by the Womens Movement, but her approach wasRead MoreFashion Advertising: The Price of Beauty5692 Words   |  23 Pages Various forms of media introduce the desired look, attitude, and role a woman should possess in modern society. One of the most influential media for the modern woman is the printed fashion advertisement. Fashion advertising has the power to define desired gender roles, female identity, and characteristics of upcoming generations of young girls. This advertising poses some harm to women as it reinforces stereotypical female roles of domesticity while associating self identity with consumerism. If