Two Argentine women who are publishers decided to break the mold of the princess theme that most girls are fed and instead came up with something called the anti-princess. These are stories inspired by real women who were total badasses and made their own way #don'tneednoman style. The dangers of girls not being exposed to stories like those of the anti-princesses is evident in the perpetuation of gender stereotyping and rape culture (just to name a couple).
What happens when princess stories become the expected or upheld ideal is similar to what happens to the girls in Shapeshifters. The girls' identities are lost completely, and instead what becomes expected of them is mapped onto their lives and bodies by racialized, gendered, and regionalist stereotypes. Suddenly Janice isn't "allowed" to be Janice. She has to navigate her life in a certain way because her identity has essentially been stripped from her because of the color of her skin, the particular sexual organs she has, and where she lives. How fair is that?
Here is the link to the article about the anti-princess.
http://remezcla.com/culture/these-anti-princess-books-give-young-girls-badass-latina-heroines-to-look-up-to/
This is an illustration of Frida Kahlo, the subject of the first anti-princess book.
And here is a picture of two young girls reading the book! :)
Also, here is another article about a hashtag that was started #BlackWomensHistoryMonth http://www.teenvogue.com/story/this-new-hashtag-honors-the-black-women-written-out-of-history. Aimee Meredith Cox, the author of Shapeshifters, is quoted saying, "Black women have traditionally been written out of history unless it is in the context of victimization... when they have been recognized." So they hashtag provides a way to expose important black women throughout history. These "anti-princesses" are important figures for young girls to be exposed to; to let them know that they are much more than the pathologies mapped onto their bodies and lives.
When I was young, I watched princess movies a lot. I dreamed that I would have lives like them, be saved and marry a prince, and that anything was possible because of the "positive" message of the movies. But what I did not realize was that these princesses and other characters in the movie did not look like me. I did not think I fully comprehended what it meant to be black, to be excluded, because I saw myself as the girls in the movies, skin color did not separate us. This problematic on so many levels, but to try to ignore reality is a move by the oppressor. I do blame these movies for the struggles I had to deal with later in life as I tried to figure out who I was and what I hoped to be. I was not in charge of my identity because for so long it was constructed by someone else. I feel that I was always trying to attain a standard of beauty unattainable and unreachable by many women. An image that was constructed by the systems of oppression and classism that we discuss in class.
ReplyDeleteAs I got older, I realized that I needed to accept who I was, the real me, living everyday feeling inadequate was too much too handle. The Anti-Princesses is great in my opinion. There is so much good that can be done if these images are widely known and continue to push against the system. I wonder what my childhood and teenage years would have been like had I had these images to challenge what I had believed from such a young age. What would these images do to the women in "Shapeshifters" who are, like I was, constantly reminded that while the standard of beauty, success, and accomplishment can be found in these movies, that it was not made for us to actually obtain. Would they find inspiration to continue the fight, to reject certain standards? I hope so.
I feel like today's society is so 'woke' to the troubles of the world. I get excited about efforts like "Anti-Princessess" because its targeted to young girls. Even I, (as a young adult), can relate to this movement. Are younger generation of girls are growing up in a very empowering age of women. Women are starting to form a voice, a voice that's actually heard, impacting, and making a difference. It's very liberating to know that the pressures that were placed on women 20 years ago, are not ideal in today's society. As a young women in the millennial generation, I am more independent. I do not have to pressure of having kids or getting married. My biggest focus is education and a career, for myself. I see more in mainstream media the empowerment of women who have their own; and it's a great feeling.
ReplyDeleteFor young girls, I believe we should continue to teach them to live for their self, and follow the path they feel is best for them. Its okay now.
"The dangers of girls not being exposed to stories like those of the anti-princesses is evident in the perpetuation of gender stereotyping and rape culture (just to name a couple)."
ReplyDeleteFor me this makes a lot of sense. When women are told they need a man it creates an environment where a woman should be grateful for any man to comment on her sex and body. Adding layers of race, disability, sexuality, socioeconomic status, gender identity etc. complicates this by saying you should *bow down* to every man because he is in a position of power and is above you.
The teen vogue article makes me think about how the women in Shapeshifters have been made invisible. It's empowering to hear stories that identify the power of women that have been deemed "invisible". It helps give them a voice. I am incredibly encouraged by the Anti-Princess! I hope that we continue to address issues that confine all women and not just white heterosexual cis gendered middle class women.
I absolutely love these books. they seem empowering and inspirational. Like vel I watched alot of princess movies as a young girl but as I got older it bothered me how all of the princesses need some prince to come and save them or how he was their main goal. These books completely help to show that not all girls need to be rescued which is very important lesson. If I ever have a daughter one day I would rather her read an anti-princess book than a regular princess book because of the things that it represents
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