women and film 11:21
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CUNY College of Staten Island *
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Course
WGS-270
Subject
Arts Humanities
Date
Dec 6, 2023
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Uploaded by AmbassadorSummerCat47
There are 2 sets of writings you are responsible for each week and that must be emailed to me before class!
1.
For each
article/chapter starred (*)
you should identify the chief argument(s) of the reading & how the
argument is developed.
How does the reading advance or complicate our understanding/discussion of
gender?
Include a quote from the reading
to support your interpretation
.
A paragraph for each text
.
The Oppositional Gaze: Black Female Spectators,” by bell hooks
This reading examines how black women interact with and challenge stereotypes about them that they see
in the media. In order to explain how black women, as observers, regain their subjectivity and oppose
objectification, the idea of the "oppositional Gaze" is presented. The chief argument of "The Oppositional
Gaze" is that black female viewers actively oppose and reinterpret media depictions of black women
through the oppositional gaze, challenging dominant, usually objectifying notions of black women in
popular culture. Basic inquiries concerning the "oppositional gaze" and how black female viewers engage
with and reject self-images in the media and society are answered in Bell Hooks' book "The Oppositional
Gaze: Black Female Spectators". According to Hooks, when black women see images that may otherwise
objectify or marginalize them, they learn to critically analyze images and to resist them. Reading about
how the media may reinforce stereotypes and sway attitudes is something Hooks strongly advises readers,
particularly black women, to do. One way to resist is to cultivate a critical look. "Black woman have
written little about black female spectatorship, about our movie goer practices" (p.118). The way that
black female viewers began navigating popular culture and media consumption has deepened my
knowledge of gender via this reading. Black women can experience moments of empowerment while
being marginalized by their society, and they are actively involved in interpreting pictures. In addition,
there are power relations and resistance associated with how black women are portrayed visually.
I Am Alike: A Nigerian Boi’s Reflection on ‘Pariah’ by Spectra Speaks.
The reading delves deeply on Spectra's desire for her mother to remain unaware of her transition from a
straight girl to a homosexual woman. She had formed an organization for immigrant queer women of
color, begun dressed like a male, and come out as homosexual. In addition to being the victim of slander
and being rejected by her religious group, her mother experienced marginalization on social media.
It was unlawful to be gay in Lagos, Nigeria, according to the author's mother, who also took issue with the
author's gender binary choices and attire. Even though the author was aware of the political unrest around
her identification, she didn't give a damn about the law”
So, you’re going to wear a suit and stand with the
boys?” It hurt my feelings, but I laughed along with her and rhetorted, “Obviously not” She didn't want to
be a part of her friend's
bridal
shower, but she also was unable to pass up the chance to be at her friend's
wedding, even if it meant dressing as a bridesmaid. Her father saw her gender nonconformity as rebellious
behavior. The author looked for validation in movies with women of color, but she couldn't locate any
with African lesbians.Spectra was able to overcome these obstacles when she spotted Pariah. She became
less of a problem and more of a person as a result of the movie, which made her appealing rather than
judgmental. One of the films that is capable of it is Pariah. Images like as Pariah possess the ability to
change the world, and they definitely will. This reading advances my understanding on gender as it
illiustrates the impact of sociatal expectations on gender roles and how they limit individual.
African American Culture and Society After Rodney King; Chapter 7: “The Rebirth of Queer:
Exile,
Kinship & Metamorphosis in
Pariah”
, Henderson; pgs. 141-153.
The reading explores the idea of a black lesbian and gay film and how it tackles social and
cultural concerns. Lesbians and black "welfare queens" claim to be non-heteronormative
disruptors of the nuclear family, offering solutions to the country's most pressing social and
economic issues. The author also emphasizes how, in order to capture further power networks in
the post-Civil Rights period, radical queer politics are required. Along with the expansion of anti-
gay organizations across the country, the reading also discusses the emergence of domestic
terrorist networks linked to the Ku Klux Klan and neo-Nazis. "Through Alike’s writing, Pariah
connects the silence around black lesbian writers that Smith exposes to the cinematic silence of
black lesbian character". The cinema business still ignores black lesbian filmmakers and
characters on screen, despite the author's acknowledgment of African American lesbian authors'
successes. In closing, the author highlights the importance of bridging the divide between
disadvantaged and non-normative identities, including black lesbians and black "welfare
queens," in order to address social and economic issues. Pariah, however allows us to see Alike's
desire for sexual intimacy and ultimate exile serve as the foundation for the film's ending, which
retains the focus on Alike's alienation. My perspective of gender has improved as a result of this
reading, as I was able to observe how an uncomfortable relationship between two women
develops into a mutual desire, sharing of clothing, music, and poetry. Extending the situation
even further, they initiate a vague courtship that lacks specificity on their actions and
relationship, but this does not stop them from arranging to spend a night together under the guise
of a girl's "sleepover." It seems that Bina turns into the sanctuary that enables Alike to finish her
transformation. The morning after their first intercourse, Alike finds Bina frantically tidying and
"straightening up" her bedroom, which may indicate that Bina wants to cleanse herself of the sex
she engaged in the night before.“but their failure to adopt a relationship status does not deter
them from making plans to spend a night together under the auspices of a girl’s “sleepover.”
Right after, Alike is taken aback when Bina clarifies that she is not "gay GAY" and asks Alike to
keep their "not gay GAY" night together a secret from others.
For each
assigned film
a paragraph
answering these questions:
a.
Does the film have a point of view
?
What is it?
b.
How does the film express its point of view?
c.
Is the film exploring and/or advocating a position on gender/gender relations/social
relations?
What is it?
PARIAH (2011) dir:
Dee Rees, U.S.
In Dee Rees' 2011 film "Pariah," the story revolves around a 17-year-old African American
lesbian who is on the verge of maturity. The protagonist is a high school girl who is starting to
embrace her identity as a lesbian and who has to face obstacles to go over her mother's traditional
views. The in-depth examination of Alike's journey as she negotiates her sexual orientation
within the constraints of her family and culture sets apart the film's point of view. "Pariah"
presents a unique viewpoint by emphasizing the intimate and genuine experiences of its
protagonist, Alike, as she struggles with her sexual orientation and seeks self-acceptance within
the intricate relationships with her family and community. One way the film addresses this
viewpoint is through Alike's engagement in the lesbian nightlife. She begins visiting bars and
other venues where she feels free to be herself without worrying about backlash.These places
establish her ability to interact with people who have gone through similar experiences. Alike has
evolved throughout time to better represent the person she is becoming through changes to her
appearance and wardrobe. In the film, she is seen playing around with her clothes and dressed
more like herself rather than according to gender norms. This can be seen when she changes on
the bus before going home, or changing in the school bathroom before going to class.
The movie advocates for social relations as it illustrates the difficulties encountered by those who
defy conventional wisdom. The movie confronts prejudices and assumptions held by the public
about those who identify as LGBTQ+. "Pariah" presents a range of authentic and varied
perspectives that promote a more sophisticated comprehension of the nuances present in human
identity and relationships.
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