This is a feminist issue because... you belong with me

Comments

1. Danielle | January 31, 2010 1:19 AM | Reply

   Science argues that one of the few things that are branded into our genetic code to force survival is to reproduce and carry on the species. With our technology today, it is not always necessary for sexual intercourse to occur between a man and a woman to do so, however, mutation within our DNA occurs far too slowly to keep up with technology, which is why yes, "pining for a man (or woman)" is a biological trait that is passed on to everyone, although in most species, the male is the one that must show off to the female to prove his genetic worth (Something obviously opposite in our culture due to the sex roles that society has held in place, not nature; however, that is another argument. I'm also not going to touch on same-sex relationships in this matter, because I don't personally side with nurture or nature in that case; I'm neutral.) Love is not the reason that men and women find their mate. Love is a chemical reaction in the brain that has been over-hyped through the centuries and nurture has forced it to stay alive as a picturesque scene for every little girl. To want to find love is generally a female sex role, not a male one due to the sex roles placed on children (ex: Girls play with dollhouses where the man and wife live happily ever after, and boys play with action figures that save the world. This is an outdated stereotype for the most part, but it's still a message that is commonly sent to young children.)The only reason that love is factored into feminist thought is because of the sex roles. I don't really think that there was any animosity in this video between "nerdy" and "popular" Taylor, "popular" Taylor was just very possessive, something very common in many species as well, which is why many females kill the males after the male has fertilized the female (ex: the praying mantis). As far as values are concerned, I think this is one of the better videos when it comes to stereotyping because the cheerleader and nerd stereotype has been replayed so many times that it's finally having almost no affect on teenagers and many are going out of their way to not fit into that stereotype. So no, in most cases, it doesn't matter.

2. Sara | January 31, 2010 3:18 PM | Reply

   Great example, Julia! I think you raise some really important questions about this video from a feminist perspective. Here are two that I found particularly intriguing:

   1. Is the animosity between "nerdy" Taylor and "popular" Taylor the same animosity between women that a patriarchal system seems to instill that bell hooks talks about? I think this is a great question and I would really enjoy hearing what other people think, particularly in relation to hooks and the idea of internalized sexism. Are women "conditioned" to be in competition with each other? Or are they merely represented as such (or is a little of both)? Why does it seem that women's relationships with each other are always framed in relation to a man and heterosexual romance?

   2. What kinds of morals and values are songs and pieces of literature like this displaying to the masses of young adolescents? This is always an important question for me--partly because of my background in ethics and partly because I am raising two children (and one of them, almost 4 year old Rosie, likes Taylor Swift). What messages are these videos sending girls (and boys) about how to behave and what to aspire to? Can we think of other moral lessons (any that are feminist?) that are being displayed in this video?

   One more, larger question: How does/doesn't Taylor Swift embody feminist values? Is she an effective feminist role model? Why or why not?

   Whew--I have added even more questions to the great ones you have already asked!

3. Tamar | January 31, 2010 11:30 PM | Reply

   I thought this was a really interesting post - as someone who listens to Taylor Swift quite a lot, I was inspired to rewatch the music video. I think that as a whole, the video embodies feminist values and sends a positive message.

   Although she definitely does look nerdy in the beginning - the pajama outfit is loose and fairly unflattering - I think it might be a positive message. She isn't going to bed wearing makeup or wearing seductive PJs - she's talking to her crush with the knowledge that she definitely doesn't look her best. Unflattering images of celebrities, ESPECIALLY in their own music videos, are exceptionally rare. Taylor's willingness to show that even beautiful people can look bad at times, and that you shouldn't need to hide these less-than-average moments, is a positive message for everyone. It sends the message that accepting yourself and your appearance, regardless of external beauty, is important. The character she portrays is talking to her love interest without being concerned with her appearance - it's a statement of self-esteem and a demand that other people accept her regardless of how pretty she looks. In the mirror scene, Taylor tries on a bunch of different 'personas', but ends up reverting back to her normal self. I interpreted this as a LACK of willingness to sacrifice her identity (her nerdiness) for the sake of acceptance.

   Once she gets dressed again in the morning, she still looks nerdy - but it's certainly a charming and beautiful type of dorkiness. Her glasses can only be described as nerd-chic, and she never looks unkempt or disheveled. I think the divide between "nerd" Taylor and "denerded" Taylor is a false one. People often get dressed up to go to dances, and I don't think this represents a long term change in her character's personality or appearance. Additionally, her love interest starts to walk over to her as soon as he sees her, but this is normal behavior for friends who didn't expect to run into each other. They only kiss after she shows him the "I Love You" sign. This confession is emotionally important, and has little to do with her current physical appearance. The fact that we see her making this sign in the beginning of the video, and the fact that he has made an IDENTICAL one, indicates that his feelings for her were developing even when she was in the "nerd" stage. It would have been impossible for him to make this sign in the time between him seeing her, and him walking over to her.

   The lyrics of the song outline the differences between Taylor and the girlfriend. The girlfriend's main attractions seem to be "short skirts" and "high heels" - appearance. Taylor makes her case by saying, "I remember you driving to my house in the middle of the night/I'm the one who makes you laugh when you know you're about to cry/I know your favorite songs and you tell me about your dreams/I think I know where you belong/I think I know it's with me." The lyrics of the songs are an explicit comparison of the importance of appearance vs. emotional compatibility - it's a change from the sexist paradigm of choosing a partner on the basis of demeaning and one-dimensional ideas of attraction, and instead, moving towards a more emotionally healthy decision based on personality and comfort.