the-crystalmage:

And I’m Feeling Good…: So I guess Avengers failed the Bechdel test…

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the-crystalmage:

… which proves again how hard-and-fast rules for feminism can be just as restricting as the misogyny they would try to fight.

When I watched Black Widow in action, I felt empowered. When she was elected the most capable to bring in the most dangerous member of the team, I felt empowered. When she…

Cool story, sis. I’m also a woman, a fan of strong women and the Avengers, and I’d like to point out something: the Bechdel test is not a “hard-and-fast rule” of feminism. It’s meant to be used as a tool to measure the movie INDUSTRY not a single movie in particular. Saying any one movie doesn’t pass the test doesn’t mean anything. Saying 90% of movies don’t pass means that we have a problem. Whether or not The Avengers passed the test doesn’t determine whether or not you should feel empowered by it. It’s ultimately up to you to decide what is empowering to yourself.

Personally, I didn’t feel that emotionally manipulating men, almost crying (faked or otherwise), not talking to another woman, letting someone get away with calling her a “mewling quim” without comment, having her major motivation revolve around a dude, being zipped down in combat, and being only one of three named women in a sea of dude-bros qualifies Black Widow as a “strong woman doing kickass shit.” But I spent most of the movie being distracted by Loki’s pretty face and Hawkeye’s ass, so I guess to each their own.

I’m pleasantly surprised by the responses on this, though I felt this one was the one I should reply to because it has some elements of multiple comments while also having a certain tone that begged for attention.

I do know that the Bechdel test isn’t a holy rite of feminism, but I do feel that there is a double standard in praising a movie that would pass it on all 3 counts as being a shining example of feminism in the movie industry. It’s the equivalent of putting a sticker on produce that says it’s organically grown, thereby making it preferable to consumers that are fans of organic food. I would no sooner run to or avoid seeing a movie based on its Bechdel score because I prefer to look at things on a spectrum and make my own decision. Which is really what my post is mainly about: not letting other people do your thinking for you. Don’t force your opinions or emotions into the mold of your would-be supporters for fear of facing their wrath. Make your own decision about what makes a movie good for you, and what strong women mean to you, and what it means to have a movie that is a union of the two. Otherwise, you’re just letting someone bully you. And if there’s anything I hate, it is so-called “_________” bullying others to be better “_________” (fill in the blank with anything from “feminists” to “women of color” to “LGBT supporters” to “fans”).

I’ve seen a few posts before this suggesting Natasha “lets” Loki insult her in such a blunt way, and that it is a sign of weakness. You’re right, she does “let” Loki insult her, but only as a means to further trap him in her web. What should she have done otherwise? Drop him 30,000 feet? Kind of opposed to their goal. Yelled at him to respect her? She would only be admitting to him that he got to her. The Widow isn’t insulted by his barbs because she’s playing chess with him - he’s spouting mewling quim while she’s already 3 steps ahead, making plays on how her anticipated reaction is going to influence his progressive assault and how she’s going to wrap him up in his own emotions. Bam. Kickass.

Some other people have mentioned that Black Widow was the one female in the sea of boys. Well, yeah. Marvel has been steadily working towards this building up of Iron Man, Hulk, Thor and Cap so they’re the ones who are going to be focused on in this first outing. Had they made individual films for The Wasp, Warbird/Ms. Marvel, Scarlet Witch, She-Hulk, or any of the other female Avengers and then not included them in this movie, then that would’ve been ridiculous. I think their plan worked out marvelously, and the viewer demographics for The Avengers will give the studio some new information about women watching superhero movies that they didn’t have 5 years ago. My hope is that we will see another female superhero in Avengers 2, most especially if Joss ends up signing up again.

I celebrate this movie for its accomplishments, knowing full and well how often we’re disappointed by this particular topic. Which, I think, is all the more reason to celebrate things. Otherwise you just end up this bitter jaded person who is always flinging complaints because the world is never going to be the way you want it to be. I’ll take my victories where I can get them. Then I’ll probably have some shawarma after.

PREACH, SISTER. PREACH.

(via crystalmage)

the-crystalmage:

… which proves again how hard-and-fast rules for feminism can be just as restricting as the misogyny they would try to fight.

When I watched Black Widow in action, I felt empowered. When she was elected the most capable to bring in the most dangerous member of the team, I felt empowered. When she used her brains to twist men’s perceptions of her weakness to her advantage - tricking the God of Mischief himself, no less! - I definitely felt empowered.

No man, or woman, or test, will deny me the sense of pride I felt when seeing her on the screen. It was like watching Buffy swing her scythe, or watching Ellen Ripley mod her flame thrower while riding down the elevator.

I am a woman, I’m a fan of strong women, and I’m a fan of the Avengers.

COSIGNED.