Lynn's Literature: It pays to be aware of what you are seeing around you.

Sunday, February 7, 2010

It pays to be aware of what you are seeing around you.

Yesterday I had the good fortune to accompany my daughter to the BeachHouse at Glenelg. She loves the water slides and the other activities. While we were enjoying our wedges and ice-creams for lunch we sat next to the merry-go-round, sometimes referred to as a Carousel.

I'm informed by the BeachHouse's brochure that the Carousel had been restored for 2 years and is quite old. While I ate my lunch with my daughter I read a notice about the restoration of the screens which sit in the centre to cover unsightly inner workings. The notice explained that "heroes" were originally on the screens, such as William the Conqueror and the Black Prince (I have no idea who the Black Prince was). But when they were restored, those older heroes were replaced with more recent WWII "heroes".

Anyway, the centre of the Carousel had a bunch of 'important-looking' people on it. I didn't really recognise who they were exactly, but they were all serious looking, dressed in suits or military uniforms. All were men, because I assume we don't recognise any female war "heroines". But the upshot was that we were to consider them as important "heroes", people who had shaped our history and were worthy of respect because they (had) held high status. Worthy of being remembered.

A further study of the Carousel revealed that the top was decorated. This time, with images of women. But there was no notice or plaque to tell us if these women were heroes or not, or if they were important for some reason so we were left to guess why they were there. And it wasn't too hard to figure out. Most of the women had their breasts exposed and all were dressed in some sort of flowing, lightweight fabric. The overall theme of the images were whimsical, fantasy-like, mischievous, wanton, waif-like, vulnerable, sexual, flimsy, casual and easy. Definately, not important.

The messages I get from this are: Men are important. Women are not important. Men affiliated with WWII are heroes. There are no women affiliated with WWII, therefore, there are no women heroes. Men who are heroes should be commemorated and remembered. Women should be admired, then forgotten. Men are strong. Women are not strong. Women are vulnerable. Women are fantasy sexual creatures to be looked at.

These messages are prolific throughout our society and landscapes. The Carousel was a perfect example of both feminine and masculine depictions together. Almost fascinating as they were in such close proximity to each other. Such a contrast was startling. And I bet, nobody else noticed, at least not on the day we were there. Our children, and adolescents, are highly unlikely to critically analyse the images on the carousel and see them for what they are. And for those who don't notice, they run the risk of being the most influenced. And then, at times, we ask ourselves, why do (some) young men, treat young women badly or without respect. To my mind, one needs look no further than what we are inculcated with in our society as we grow up.

1 comment:

Lorraine said...: Bravo. Thanks for noticing. Sadly we would have to put a big sign up if we wanted the men to notice... then they would say things like "Bloody feminist!, Silly Cow and what's wrong with women?
You tried.; February 10, 2010 at 10:12 PM

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Lynn's Blog

Stephanie in her new winter school uniform. A Different Child by Pandora MacMillian. People notice there's a special glow around you. You grow, surrounded by love, never doubting you are wanted; Only look at the pride and joy in your mother's eyes. And if sometimes between the smiles there's a trace of tears, one day you'll understand. You'll understand there was once another child, a different child who was in their hopes and dreams. That child will never outgrow the baby clothes. That child will never keep them up at night. In fact, that child will never be any trouble at all. Except sometimes, in a silent moment, when mother and father miss so much that different child. May hope and love wrap you warmly and may you learn the lesson forever how infinately precious, how infinately fragile is this life on earth. One day, as a young woman you may see another mother's tears, another father's silent grief, then you, and you alone will understand and offer the greatest comfort. When all hope seems lost, you will tell them with great compassion, "I know how you feel. I'm only here because my mother tried again."

Quotes that inspire me

'Remembering' is not a steady state, but rather a frequent waking out of forgetfulness. The past stands still, but the present moves and every generation must discover the history of it's parent generation for itself. Anna Haebich
.I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is; I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat. Rebecca West. 1913.
Abusive behaviour is not a consequent of individual sickness or deviance, but an over-conforming response to dominant ideas regarding, power, privilege and responsibility which are regarded as normal, and which in fact constitute our societal norms and structures. Alan Jenkins
As long as the conditions of the past are the conditions of the present, then the past is not past. Anna Haebich
Failure to appreciate the manifestation of control (over others) means that few in either the community or the legal system know that vilence may continue after separation and also contribute to women's inability to leave. Patricia Easteal
History is typically written by victors who can 'afford to forget', while the losers are unable to accept what happened and are condemned to brood over it, relive it and reflect how it might have been. Anna Haebich
I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere. Elie Wiesel. Holocaust Survivor
If advertising did not influence human action, it would not be an effective means of promoting merchandise. Advertising abounds precisely because of its influence. Television is capable of creating a desire for something and providing direction on how to behave. Sarah Sobieraj
If we were to really take into account the roles of sexual coercion and violence play in shaping human culture and personal identity, fundamental structures of thought could well be shaken and changed. Such great shifts in world view unsettle even those whose privileges and self-images are not directly threatened by them. Olafsen, et al. 1993
It is often suggested that the planet needs saving. But it's not the earth that is in peril. It is us. Dr Iain Stewart. Earth: The Power of the Planet
Many people judge themselves according to the views of others and cannot approve of themselves unless they are approved of by others. Few people challenge the ideologies or belief systems to which they belong. Instead of forming one's identity according to one's personal beliefs, it is far better to define oneself according to the processes by which one formulates beliefs. Richard Paul & Linda Elder
One of the greatest sources of stress is feeling responsible over something that you have no control over. Dr Phil
Talking with someone about their mental illness is not about discovering the truth, it is about realising their experience. Erin Morgan, Lifeline Presenter
The more you understand the nature of men, the more you'd wonder: Why do such sensible, responsible and lovely creatures like women wouldl ike to be anywhere near them? Stephen King
The presence of so many pedophilic-like individuals in relatively high-functioning 'normal' samples supports the notion that the sexualisation of children is at least partially a social phenomenon. John N Briere
The view that women are emotional and men stoic conveniently omits the emotion of anger, which, although little different in the two sexes in terms of arousal, leads to far more damaging consequences when experienced by men. John Archer, Barbara Lloyd
They don't want to hear the truth because the truth is so much harder to understand and so much longer than a lie. 12 year old female sexual assault victim
Through the education of men into male entitlement, men have extensive boundaries that engulf others, subsuming them, especially females who are experienced as extensions of the man. Carol J Adams
Throughout history it has been the inaction of those who could have acted; the indifference of those who should have known better; the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most that has made it possible for evil to triumph. Haile Selassie I
When people show you who they are; believe them. Lola99 www.psychforums.com
You can either decide to become a part of the problem or be a part of the solution. Dr Phil