Comics & Clothing

I thought that the choices of comic books and magazines were interesting for cultural objects. The comic book that was passed around reminded me of SUNY Fredonia’s Women’s Student Union event back in March of this year. It featured a keynote speaker, Andi Zeisler, the author and co-founder of Bitch magazine. She said that superhero franchises generally have the major female figure of Wonder Woman. Zeisler notes her belief that men’s stories are universal, while women’s are special interest (only women will be interested in women’s stories). She questions how we can reconcile the strides that women have made in media and pop culture. Even today, she believes that culture marginalizes women, and that they are not be considered complete enough people to be represented as they truly are. Her activist type of publication combines both visual and analytical elements. For example, putting a male superhero in a pose similar to a female one can demonstrate how overly sexualized and unrealistically dressed women are.

In regard to the clothing discussion, I remember being in middle school 14 years ago. We would have to get in line and put our hands at our sides. If our fingertips went past our shorts, they were considered to be "too short," and students were either sent home to change or even given clothes to wear by the school itself. I can only imagine that there would be a lot of backlash from parents or a school board if there were any "inappropriate outfits." Although I believe in freedom of expression, I think we should still use common sense, be mindful of our environment and act accordingly.