Month: January 2018

In the very beginning of comic books, women played a very small role. Then came a time when Superman and Captain Marvel dominated the comics era and women continued taking a backseat. Stories revolved around a woman in danger and Superman saving the woman’s life. No relationship or learning is developed about the woman, how she got there or about any of her background information. Women have also been used as sex symbols and have been objectified in various comic strips in the very beginning. I would like to state my argument by analyzing two very different superheroes.

Wonder woman was one of the primitive female superheroes that were introduced at a time where male-dominated comic books were in demand. She is one of the only female superheroes to be mentioned as DC’s “big three” alongside Batman and Superman. In a time when the superhero genre was predominantly male, the idea of a female being portrayed as a strong, powerful and just figure to the youth was something that was a huge step. She created a charisma and sex appeal that none during her time could have created. And the time at which the wonder woman comic was introduced, was a time when a lot of feminist theories were said and written. All this lead to the first success of a female superhero and also spurred a lot of talk with regards to Wonder Woman being a feminist symbol.

Black Widow, who, like Wonder Woman represents another level of uniqueness. She develops a thought-provoking idea on conventional gender stereotypes by comprising the masculine traits both physically and psychologically and challenges the expectations of female superheroes.

Looking closer at Wonder Woman’s physical representation, she had long hair, the face of a mature woman, slim but muscular and was portrayed with a realistic approach. She had clothes that showcased her body and curves and also had ornaments like the golden bracelet to show her flamboyance.

Black widow, on the other hand, is portrayed as a woman with not too long hair, sharp looks, covered completely in a tight black suit that showcases her curves.
Both these female superheroes provide a contrast between the first and current superheroes and how they differ in terms of looks or portrayal. Times have changed.

Both these women are always considered as icons of female superheroes. They have been pioneers in bringing about change in the thinking and perception of people towards female dominated superheroes. And according to me, they have the charisma, strength and power to capture the audience and develop a point that women superheroes could be as dominant as their male counterparts.

You may shoot me with your words,

You may cut me with your eyes,

You may kill me with your hatefulness,

But still, like air, I’ll rise.

These lines from Maya Angelou’s poem ‘Still I Rise,’ reminds me of a sad stage that every woman faces even today. Our so-called ‘developed and modernized world’ still cannot recognize the importance of treating a woman as an equal. Being born as a woman makes life more a survival story than a memorable one. One of the most powerful poems that I have ever come across is Sarah Kay’s ‘If I Should Have a Daughter.’ The last line of the poem says, “Your voice is small but don’t ever stop singing and when they finally hand you heartbreak, slip hatred and war under your doorstep and hand you handouts on street corners of cynicism and defeat, you tell them that they really ought to meet your mother.” This line makes it clear that people are never going to treat women as equal. As a girl in a ‘man’s world,’ it makes me tremble with fear when I think about my future. Am I allowed to have a future? Why do I need to be so strong that I need to fight the entire world to do something that anyone could easily do? The answer to these questions is just simple, a woman is much stronger than people estimate us to be. We have the power to give birth. We can make the best of chefs, actors, dancers, engineers, doctors, lawyers, and can choose whatever we want to be because ultimately life is going to be tough. The world isn’t going to change. No matter how many waves of feminism arise, the world is just going to continue criticizing women. Can I do anything about it? maybe or maybe not. But I know for a fact that I have dreams and I have every right in this world to achieve it. I know I have the strength and capability to march towards my goals and I have the power to discriminate between right and wrong. A recent article that spread like wildfire all over the internet was a letter by a male engineering student explaining why his female classmates aren’t his equals. This letter proves that sexism still exists on very small levels.

People may or may not change things but it only makes women stronger by the day.

“Storms make trees take deeper roots.” – Dolly Parton

“Feminism isn’t about making women stronger. Women are already strong. It is about changing the way the world perceives that strength.” – G.D Anderson

Today there are too many misconceptions about feminism which makes people distant from it. from the olden times, there have been people who strongly support or hate feminism. Some of the major misconception that people have about feminism is:

1. Feminism is not anti-men: feminism focuses on gender equality in sustaining patriarchy.
2. Feminism does not say all women are angels: feminism revolves around the fact that women be seen as regular people and not angels.
3. Feminism does not see women as perpetual victims: feminism does not see pity as a solution to ending oppression.
4. Feminism does not think men and women are the same: feminism says that people of all genders are equal but NOT NECESSARILY the same.
5. Feminism will not destroy society: feminism demands equality and a greater freedom for all rather than destroying the society we live in.

There have been many movements, campaigns that have revolved around feminism. The HeForShe campaign was launched that invited people to join together to fight against gender inequality and promote children’s rights. Movements are being held on a very massive scale for demanding equality. At the end of the day, we must realize that all of us are people and must not be in a position to discriminate based on caste, creed, gender or any such trivial factor. People are all made different but we are all united in this world, living our lives, solving our purpose in life. Being a feminist isn’t wrong by any means. Understanding the misconceptions that revolve around feminism and working on thoughts, deeds and actions are what is necessary to make this world a better place. People need to understand that feminism isn’t about women empowerment. Feminism does not mean men are demeaned. It just tries to bring together people all over the world and make them understand the importance of equality and gives people a sense of what strength every individual has in this world irrespective of their gender.