Kate Lesniak
asked
Andi Zeisler:
Is marketplace feminism a necessary evil in order to raise the profile of the feminist movement, or feminist ideals?
Andi Zeisler
It's hard to say whether it's a necessary evil, because for as long as there have been feminist movements, there have been industries trying, with varying amounts of cycnicism, to cash in on them. It's almost impossible to think of feminist movements without also thinking of the mediated, consumer images that have always gone along with them—I'm thinking about Virginia Slims ads, or the Spice Girls, or any of the number of products and celebrities that have aligned themselves with the words "feminist" or "empowering."
I certainly think that marketplace feminism has a role to play in raising the profile of feminist movements and amplifying concerns. The trick is to make sure marketplace feminism can also be harnessed to draw attention to feminist issues that don't get much play in the marketplace or the mainstream media. The endgame of, say, something like the Bechdel Test isn't to just have more movies squeak over a very low baseline—it's to foment systemic change wherein we value, and fund, and amplify women as creators in places like Hollywood where the institutions tend to be very gendered and very entrenched.
I certainly think that marketplace feminism has a role to play in raising the profile of feminist movements and amplifying concerns. The trick is to make sure marketplace feminism can also be harnessed to draw attention to feminist issues that don't get much play in the marketplace or the mainstream media. The endgame of, say, something like the Bechdel Test isn't to just have more movies squeak over a very low baseline—it's to foment systemic change wherein we value, and fund, and amplify women as creators in places like Hollywood where the institutions tend to be very gendered and very entrenched.
More Answered Questions
Tyler
asked
Andi Zeisler:
The aggressive marketing of the book (thinking the emails lately) and its nature as a bonafide commodity seem contradictory to the main claim of the book. The book seems to be enthusiastically performing the main object of its critique, the commodification of feminism. How do you reckon the book's own status as a commodity? Where do the profits go for the book? Do you address this in your argument? Thanks!
Sophia Flemming
asked
Andi Zeisler:
Andi, I am very excited to read your book! I was able to order it two weeks ago, and I cannot wait to delve into it! My questions is that since the bitch of Bitch Magazine and popular culture, what the downsides of feminism being in the spotlight, and what can I and other activists/writers/ do to contribute to how feminism is discuss and promoted?
Petra Kassun-Mutch
asked
Andi Zeisler:
So happy this book is out tomorrow! My question: Why do so many successful women in leadership and role model positions, when asked, say they are not a feminist.....right after they just finish giving luncheon speeches talking about how sexism affected their career. Sure, they made it, but not without extra struggle. They applaud themselves for making it over the wall. But have no interest in dismantling it. Why?
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