Emma Watson picks 'The Beauty Myth' by Naomi Wolf for Our Shared Shelf
Dear Our Shared Shelf, A myth this month, by Naomi Wolf. Hope you enjoy, E xx
Very short message and no selfie for the last pick 😔
19 comments:
Anonymous
said...
So Emma once again recommends a standard text in any women's studies course, a book first published in 1990 and an international best seller.
Our Shared Shelf is described as a 'Feminist book club'. I would have thought most of those who subscribe would already be aware of Wolf's book and many others previously recommended(eg Vagina Monologues, The Color Purple).
Our Shared Self was an opportunity to highlight new books by contemporary writers, but alas Emma has once again taken the safe populous road.
Much as HeforShe produced one report on 'Gender equality in global universities'. Nice safe topic, concentrating on the elite, when millions of girls/women worldwide have access to no/very limited schooling.
Emma is the epitome of a middle class social activist. She had the opportunity to be so much more.
As a good example she could let the hair grow under her arms and lift her arms high to prove that these things mean nothing, so why do them. Just be and love yourself.
"I honestly feel she could be in a depression because of all the critics she receives. Seems like whatever she does, it's all wrong to everyone."
I dont know if she is in a depression, nothing has really given me that viewpoint but i can understand why she would avoid spending time online. While she chose to be an actress/activist and means that things she says or does can put her up to criticism or scrutiny i do think people go way overboard with it.
A part of me wishes she would just quit it all and go live her life and enjoy the fruits of her work over the years. She seems to nice of a person to really deserve some of the unnecessary shit that gets thrown at her. She really cant win no matter what she does. While i certainly have stated opinions on her both good and bad i think a majority of what she tries to do in her life is good and much better than most celebrities who try to bring awareness to something important to them.
But the other side of that is she seems unwavered by some of the hate and that is something to be admired. Some people will often try to tear you down out of jealousy or envy and you cant control that. So the fact that she seems to remain steadfast is impressive, it cant be easy at times. I myself am a part of OSS but spend most of my time reading people's comments and experiences. Ive read maybe one book mainly because im very limited in time with work and my radio stuff. And while i have certain issues with feminism and some of the more negative agenda's i do think the core of it is a positive for gender equality.
While Emma has admitted she has much more to learn she should be given credit for at least trying to engage people into the discussion. I dont know much about this particular book but i did recently see a blurb that said that one of the criticism's of Wolf's book was she exaggerated some of her statistics and numbers but i dont know how true that actually is. Sorry for the lengthy reply but i agree that she is pretty much damned if she does or damned if she doesnt.
While any celebrity can be open to criticism or debate i just think some of the stuff lobbied at her is ridiculous at times and unnecessary. My opinion anyway.
Emma has accomplished much in a sense. I think she was much too young to take on a feminist leadership role with HeforShe as she did. Her talk had a flare died out except for a flicker here or there. I like Emma but feminism is such a broad concept, that she fails to have a clear stance because she is still discovering herself. This public self-discovery puts her up for scrutiny and criticism. I think if she empowered women through empowering movies to direct and roles that can be enlightening. Beauty is a children's fairy-tale and sweet but in a sense unrealistic. There is talk on the net for a sequel. I think that would ruin the magic of the story. If she wants a women empowering tale, she should write that and direct it. She definately has the celebrity status, intelligence and money to see a project through.
Dj Anubis That is so well said, thank you ! I don't really see any signs of a depression but as you said there are so many reasons for her to stay away right now.
"She can't win no matter what she does" I still can't understand why it happens with any person trying to make a difference. I myself try to be eco friendly, I'm in a community of eco friendly people, seems like no matter what step we take someone is here to remind us "you take your car ? Then you can stop what you're doing, there's no point // you posess an Hour&M top ? You can stop everything there is no point" etc. It's so tiresome...
I don't even find the motivation to enter the debates anymore, because people are just out of their minds, looking for the negative and talking about her as if she were an object. I'm not interested in her public life anymore, because it comes with the backlash and negativity. I just wish we could have been friends, I'm sure I would have been really happy to talk with her around a beer about feminism and life. Anyway that's all quite sad honestly.
I am only interested in seeing her in a good film. I don't care for her brand of feminism. I do not criticize it, but I have long stopped looking into what she proclaims. A woman is more than just fashion and choice. We western women really do have equal rights in the broadest sense. Sure there are places where it needs help; I follow those women who are out their working for equal rights for women in difficult occupations or for people who are forced to take menial jobs but are more or less cashed in. I work with others to do soemthing about that. I would not raise a hair to help a celebrity get one more million just because the male did and maybe was more talented. Someone who has 70 million in net worth should not complain. When fighting for equal rights for women, the film industry is not the place. Most of them are overpaid anyway, and if they do not get jobs, they most likely do not have the talent. Emma has lots of talent, but in my opinion, she is not strong in acting. I do not really believe that that is what she is going to continue doing. I see her getting into other areas of the industry like producing and directing, maybe screenwriting. Everyone speaks about how intelligent she is, but she really has not proved that. To get a BA in English lit is no big deal. My daughter had that from Berkley with 19, and her Master with 21. She started taking college courses in high school. I think Emma is a person who definately cares about things, but she is living in a bubble and does not really know how to move in that which she proclaims as right. If she wants to be an actress, that is what she should do. All the great actresses went to university. Streep got her MA in Drama / Theater at Harvard. That is just one example. To do any job with class, you need to study that and understand the fine angles to be able to express yourself correctly. Emma may realize the criticism that is heaped on her, but she brings them upon herself by her double standard. For instance the top free pose. Just not to long ago, she talked about the woman should not be sexualized in the media, but she sexualizes herself in a pose. She calls it art. Well, anyone could call what they do as art. So could Beyonce. Emma is becoming unbelieveable, and I guess that could be embarassing. I do not thin she bothers to read these kind of blogs, but if she does, she should pay attention what the criticism is, for everyone that comes to this blog is a fan, but a critical fan and they point at the inconsistencies. That's life for anyone.
I wanted to add, I also read Collins Unfiltered with my daughter. That is a gem of a book that captures the young woman's way of feeling and handling problems. Collins is a good writer. My daughter and I had good discussions. I learned a lot from both of them.
Emma's problem is that she wants to do a lot and she's talking big but it often backfires at her because she doesn't know where she stands.Like the whole feminism thing.A lot of people got angry at her when she covered a magazine where she was showing her breasts and the best she could say about it was "I don't know what my tits has to do with it?".She looked so awkward and had no idea what to say but that's what happens when all of a sudden the media announce her the icon of feminism and everyone look up to her like she knows it all.She's still too young and not experienced enough to be the voice of the feminists.I generally think that she should slow down and focus more on herself instead of trying hard to change what people think or do.I can tell she wants to do a lot of good but it doesn't convince me.
That has been the biggest problem with HFS and OSS, for me. Throwing Emma out there like she is an authority on feminism, when she's really just getting started. I think Emma means well obviously, but she just doesn't have an academic understanding of feminism yet, and it's sort of awkward to watch her fumble with it. She'll gain a deeper understanding of it in time, though, and maybe it works as a good introduction into the subject for young girls/young women.
Sexualizing yourself is different from being sexualized without your choice. Emma has addressed the Beyonce thing twice now-and released the entire section of the interview the second time.
And again no one is saying she is an authority on feminism-only pop news--like MTV and whatnot. Nobody can be an authority of feminism-not even bell hooks or gloria steinem.Its an umbrella movement with different ideas, beliefs and sub-movements. Emma herself clearly said she feels very uncomfortable when people treat her like she is some feminist expert. She's said it multiple times now. Someone asked her if she wanted to write a book, and she said that she isn't experienced enough to do that.
And she's spoken up and stood for a variety of things like working class wage gap(not just the film industry), reproductive rights, feminism in the arts, right to education esp., for girls, fair trade (yes, i think its a feminist issue), etc. She's been talking about statistics missing when it comes to important stuff like genital mutilation, and she said she wants to help get the statistics.
I'm not saying she shouldn't be criticized, but fuckity fuck-its just been 2 and a half years. Social justice isn't an express train; we've seen this stuff takes time.
But also, I've seen a lot of people go at her for things, without doing a little research first, and after reading entertainment/pop news sites about her feminist work.
Thais "I don't even find the motivation to enter the debates anymore"
Pretty much.
Chances are you will never change their mind anyway and to go back and forth over someone no one personally knows is a fruitless endeavor. The reality is there are people who simply want to tear her down for anything and everything but thats the age of the interwebz now. I will throw in a couple of posts but i wont spend time debating with people whom i dont think will look objectively at the topic no matter the subject matter. Got way to much other shit to do than to go back and forth like that. lol
I think lilly Collins is doing the same kind of work, she starts at an even age pace with her book Unfiltered. The book is also well written, but she was doing journalistm as a teenager.
Nobody needs to change anyone's mind. Opinions are allowed. Nothing disrespectful has been said. Sexualizing yourself when you preach that a woman should not be sexualized is a double-standard. I hope we try to live by what we deem important.
19 comments:
So Emma once again recommends a standard text in any women's studies course, a book first published in 1990 and an international best seller.
Our Shared Shelf is described as a 'Feminist book club'.
I would have thought most of those who subscribe would already be aware of Wolf's book and many others previously recommended(eg Vagina Monologues, The Color Purple).
Our Shared Self was an opportunity to highlight new books by contemporary writers, but alas Emma has once again taken the safe populous road.
Much as HeforShe produced one report on 'Gender equality in global universities'.
Nice safe topic, concentrating on the elite, when millions of girls/women worldwide have access to no/very limited schooling.
Emma is the epitome of a middle class social activist.
She had the opportunity to be so much more.
I wonder if Emma will see Evanna Lynch's play Disco Pig. I think it fits to this topic.
As a good example she could let the hair grow under her arms and lift her arms high to prove that these things mean nothing, so why do them. Just be and love yourself.
i think emma, as well as the vast majority of oss members, are new to feminism/don't really know much beyond entry level stuff.
i do think she needs to start digging deeper, though.
I honestly feel she could be in a depression because of all the critics she receives. Seems like whatever she does, it's all wrong to everyone.
"I honestly feel she could be in a depression because of all the critics she receives. Seems like whatever she does, it's all wrong to everyone."
I dont know if she is in a depression, nothing has really given me that viewpoint but i can understand why she would avoid spending time online. While she chose to be an actress/activist and means that things she says or does can put her up to criticism or scrutiny i do think people go way overboard with it.
A part of me wishes she would just quit it all and go live her life and enjoy the fruits of her work over the years. She seems to nice of a person to really deserve some of the unnecessary shit that gets thrown at her. She really cant win no matter what she does. While i certainly have stated opinions on her both good and bad i think a majority of what she tries to do in her life is good and much better than most celebrities who try to bring awareness to something important to them.
But the other side of that is she seems unwavered by some of the hate and that is something to be admired. Some people will often try to tear you down out of jealousy or envy and you cant control that. So the fact that she seems to remain steadfast is impressive, it cant be easy at times. I myself am a part of OSS but spend most of my time reading people's comments and experiences. Ive read maybe one book mainly because im very limited in time with work and my radio stuff. And while i have certain issues with feminism and some of the more negative agenda's i do think the core of it is a positive for gender equality.
While Emma has admitted she has much more to learn she should be given credit for at least trying to engage people into the discussion. I dont know much about this particular book but i did recently see a blurb that said that one of the criticism's of Wolf's book was she exaggerated some of her statistics and numbers but i dont know how true that actually is. Sorry for the lengthy reply but i agree that she is pretty much damned if she does or damned if she doesnt.
While any celebrity can be open to criticism or debate i just think some of the stuff lobbied at her is ridiculous at times and unnecessary. My opinion anyway.
Emma has accomplished much in a sense. I think she was much too young to take on a feminist leadership role with HeforShe as she did. Her talk had a flare died out except for a flicker here or there. I like Emma but feminism is such a broad concept, that she fails to have a clear stance because she is still discovering herself. This public self-discovery puts her up for scrutiny and criticism. I think if she empowered women through empowering movies to direct and roles that can be enlightening. Beauty is a children's fairy-tale and sweet but in a sense unrealistic. There is talk on the net for a sequel. I think that would ruin the magic of the story.
If she wants a women empowering tale, she should write that and direct it. She definately has the celebrity status, intelligence and money to see a project through.
I just read Lilly Collins Unfiltered about a young girl struggling with anorexia. I think this book fits into this category.
Its a collection of essays and letters dealing with problems of body image, family... a very telling book. A must read!
Dj Anubis That is so well said, thank you !
I don't really see any signs of a depression but as you said there are so many reasons for her to stay away right now.
"She can't win no matter what she does" I still can't understand why it happens with any person trying to make a difference. I myself try to be eco friendly, I'm in a community of eco friendly people, seems like no matter what step we take someone is here to remind us "you take your car ? Then you can stop what you're doing, there's no point // you posess an Hour&M top ? You can stop everything there is no point" etc. It's so tiresome...
I don't even find the motivation to enter the debates anymore, because people are just out of their minds, looking for the negative and talking about her as if she were an object.
I'm not interested in her public life anymore, because it comes with the backlash and negativity. I just wish we could have been friends, I'm sure I would have been really happy to talk with her around a beer about feminism and life. Anyway that's all quite sad honestly.
I am only interested in seeing her in a good film. I don't care for her brand of feminism. I do not criticize it, but I have long stopped looking into what she proclaims. A woman is more than just fashion and choice. We western women really do have equal rights in the broadest sense. Sure there are places where it needs help; I follow those women who are out their working for equal rights for women in difficult occupations or for people who are forced to take menial jobs but are more or less cashed in. I work with others to do soemthing about that. I would not raise a hair to help a celebrity get one more million just because the male did and maybe was more talented. Someone who has 70 million in net worth should not complain. When fighting for equal rights for women, the film industry is not the place. Most of them are overpaid anyway, and if they do not get jobs, they most likely do not have the talent. Emma has lots of talent, but in my opinion, she is not strong in acting. I do not really believe that that is what she is going to continue doing. I see her getting into other areas of the industry like producing and directing, maybe screenwriting.
Everyone speaks about how intelligent she is, but she really has not proved that. To get a BA in English lit is no big deal. My daughter had that from Berkley with 19, and her Master with 21. She started taking college courses in high school.
I think Emma is a person who definately cares about things, but she is living in a bubble and does not really know how to move in that which she proclaims as right.
If she wants to be an actress, that is what she should do. All the great actresses went to university. Streep got her MA in Drama / Theater at Harvard. That is just one example. To do any job with class, you need to study that and understand the fine angles to be able to express yourself correctly.
Emma may realize the criticism that is heaped on her, but she brings them upon herself by her double standard. For instance the top free pose. Just not to long ago, she talked about the woman should not be sexualized in the media, but she sexualizes herself in a pose. She calls it art. Well, anyone could call what they do as art. So could Beyonce. Emma is becoming unbelieveable, and I guess that could be embarassing. I do not thin she bothers to read these kind of blogs, but if she does, she should pay attention what the criticism is, for everyone that comes to this blog is a fan, but a critical fan and they point at the inconsistencies. That's life for anyone.
I wanted to add, I also read Collins Unfiltered with my daughter. That is a gem of a book that captures the young woman's way of feeling and handling problems. Collins is a good writer. My daughter and I had good discussions. I learned a lot from both of them.
Emma's problem is that she wants to do a lot and she's talking big but it often backfires at her because she doesn't know where she stands.Like the whole feminism thing.A lot of people got angry at her when she covered a magazine where she was showing her breasts and the best she could say about it was "I don't know what my tits has to do with it?".She looked so awkward and had no idea what to say but that's what happens when all of a sudden the media announce her the icon of feminism and everyone look up to her like she knows it all.She's still too young and not experienced enough to be the voice of the feminists.I generally think that she should slow down and focus more on herself instead of trying hard to change what people think or do.I can tell she wants to do a lot of good but it doesn't convince me.
That has been the biggest problem with HFS and OSS, for me. Throwing Emma out there like she is an authority on feminism, when she's really just getting started. I think Emma means well obviously, but she just doesn't have an academic understanding of feminism yet, and it's sort of awkward to watch her fumble with it. She'll gain a deeper understanding of it in time, though, and maybe it works as a good introduction into the subject for young girls/young women.
Sexualizing yourself is different from being sexualized without your choice. Emma has addressed the Beyonce thing twice now-and released the entire section of the interview the second time.
And again no one is saying she is an authority on feminism-only pop news--like MTV and whatnot. Nobody can be an authority of feminism-not even bell hooks or gloria steinem.Its an umbrella movement with different ideas, beliefs and sub-movements. Emma herself clearly said she feels very uncomfortable when people treat her like she is some feminist expert. She's said it multiple times now. Someone asked her if she wanted to write a book, and she said that she isn't experienced enough to do that.
And she's spoken up and stood for a variety of things like working class wage gap(not just the film industry), reproductive rights, feminism in the arts, right to education esp., for girls, fair trade (yes, i think its a feminist
issue), etc. She's been talking about statistics missing when it comes to important stuff like genital mutilation, and she said she wants to help get the statistics.
I'm not saying she shouldn't be criticized, but fuckity fuck-its just been 2 and a half years. Social justice isn't an express train; we've seen this stuff takes time.
But also, I've seen a lot of people go at her for things, without doing a little research first, and after reading entertainment/pop news sites about her feminist work.
Thais
"I don't even find the motivation to enter the debates anymore"
Pretty much.
Chances are you will never change their mind anyway and to go back and forth over someone no one personally knows is a fruitless endeavor. The reality is there are people who simply want to tear her down for anything and everything but thats the age of the interwebz now. I will throw in a couple of posts but i wont spend time debating with people whom i dont think will look objectively at the topic no matter the subject matter. Got way to much other shit to do than to go back and forth like that. lol
I think lilly Collins is doing the same kind of work, she starts at an even age pace with her book Unfiltered. The book is also well written, but she was doing journalistm as a teenager.
Nobody needs to change anyone's mind. Opinions are allowed. Nothing disrespectful has been said. Sexualizing yourself when you preach that a woman should not be sexualized is a double-standard. I hope we try to live by what we deem important.
On the spot!
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