Buffy the Vampire Slayer
When I mention to people that I write for a feminist blog, they sometimes get uncomfortable. The “F” word can really make people squirm. Personally, I think the other phrase that begins with “f” is much more disconcerting. I’m talking about “female empowerment.” Search for the phrase on Google. Mixed in with articles about teaching girls in third world countries to support themselves financially, you’ll find stories about “Sex and the City 2“, pole dancing, stripping, red lipstick, high heels, Spanx and vajazzling. Yes, I said vajazzling.
Vajazzling, for those of you who remain blissfully ignorant, is the art of bedazzling your vajayjay. And guess what? It is supposedly empowering. That’s right, according to some people, calling your vagina a made-up word and decorating it with crystals somehow sends a message to the world that you are woman, hear you roar. I haven’t quite figured out how. Go ahead and own your sexuality. Adorn your body. That’s all great. But don’t tell me that anything involving your “precious lady” and a $100 cash outlay is empowering. Fashion items and beauty habits that take up our precious time and hard-earned money aren’t acts of empowerment. They are simply fashion and beauty. And even that’s questionable.
Also in the “not” empowering category are Spanx, despite what psychotherapist, author, speaker Jane Shure wrote on the Huffington Post when the undergarment company rolled out a male version, “Men now get to experience some of the worst that our modern-day culture has to offer us in the way of self-empowerment. They, too, will get sucked into believing that they’ll feel more attractive and hold greater confidence when wearing this apparel.” That’s right, Spanx do suck you in – to your skinny jeans, not into the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
“Female empowerment” has been co-opted by marketers trying to hawk cosmetics, pushup bras and 4 inch heels and by those who profit from scantily clad women dancing on bars. But you know what this female finds empowering? Earning a living, getting a fair wage for my work, supporting women-friendly candidates, and mentoring other women. And, if I can do all of that Spanx-free, then more power to me.
