pop culture
Female pop-culture icons, women in the media and the depiction of women in the entertainment and pop culture sphere.
To The Cheesy, the Love-Struck and the Naïve
I always had this innocent, chivalrous, heroic view of love. Probably it was because I was raised by a very conservative and religious family and that most of my upbringing was in one of those far-flung areas where tightly-knit communities thrived away from the “liberalistic” influence of the big cities. But don’t get me wrong! Now at 33, happily married and blessed with one child, I think I now possess a more mature, yet probably still flawed, perspective about love.
By Louie Jhon Lunaria5 years ago in Viva
Dear Wonder Woman
Do you remember when you were small and felt like you were so weak and incapable? Have you ever had a moment where you faced a situation and thought, “I don’t have the strength for this”? It’s easy to see you on screen and think that you have it all, but I’m sure you’ve struggled too. You wouldn’t be called Wonder Woman otherwise; your very name speaks to a legacy of triumphing in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
By Jillian Spiridon5 years ago in Viva
Pepe Le Pew Is the Mascot of Sexual Harassment: A Retrospective on Growing up With Rape and Consent Culture in 80s Pop Culture
Anyone familiar with Pepe Le Pew from the Looney Tunes cartoon menagerie will get the same image in their head. A male skunk merrily bouncing towards a terrified female black cat who had the misfortune of somehow getting a white stripe painted along her back. The premise: Pepe thinks she is a female skunk now, which apparently makes it okay to relentlessly harass her, despite the most desperate of refusals and uber-clear non-verbal cues from the cat. Each episode is the same: Pepe nonchalantly stalks her for the whole show, flirting with a French accent, tries to hold her against her will and kiss her, while the cat scrambles out of his arms time and time again, scrambling for sanctuary from her insistent, clueless pursuer. It doesn't help that Pepe is a stinky skunk whose scent wilts flowers as he walks by. Occasionally, the cat will retaliate by laying in wait around a corner with a large mallet, or maybe perhaps rig up an Acme anvil to drop on Pepe’s head. Even after being smashed in the head by the cat, Pepe doesn’t get it. He smiles and says in his thick faux French tones, “flirt.”
By Richard Wright, MA5 years ago in Viva
Polish Barbie and a Deeper Authenticity
Growing up, it was easy to know the things I thought I wanted: a dog of my own, pointy crayons, stuffed animals, a diary with a lock and key, and real Barbie paper dolls. Of course, I look back on this grand desire of wanting authentic Barbie paper dolls and I know why. Who wouldn’t? This wonder woman with the impossible figure, perfect hair, and such a vast array of careers that she alone could blow up LinkedIn? Barbie was, and very well might still be, the paragon of Cool and Smart. A model of Beauty and Sophistication. Fun and Adventure. Confident and Talented. What’s not to want?
By Kennedy Farr5 years ago in Viva
Happy Single's Awareness Day
As soon as a new year rolls around I metaphorically (ok. . . maybe not completely metaphorically) fist bump the air and got all these good feels about how this year is gonna be my year and I'm gonna get this banging body and then it's suddenly February and UUUUUGGGGGHHHHH *insert full body cringe*. Hearts and flowers and pink and it's like the mind of a five year old girl who loves mermaids and unicorns threw up EVERY WHERE. You can't go into any store or restaurant or anywhere really that other human beings frequent without being reminded that that dreaded day is coming up and once again you are alone this year despite telling yourself that things were going to be different (but if we're being honest with ourselves we knew deep down that that guy from Hinge wasn't really going to work out in the end.) And nothing reminds you more that you still have that holiday chub like the skimpy lingerie that you won't be using on your not date. Or the fact that you don't have anyone to buy that lingerie for because you don't have a date that's going to buy you over priced chocolates and try too hard at an overcrowded restaurant with crappy food.
By L. M. Williams5 years ago in Viva
Free Britney
I feel fired up. I watched "Framing Britney Spears." If you had told me in my early 20s that in my early 40s I would be feeling empathetic towards Britney Spears, I would have tied my flannel shirt around my waist, turned up my Cure CD, and laughed in your face. But I am older, wiser, and now...I care about stuff. Watching this documentary made me think that what is happening to Britney, is happening to all of us. And by us, I mean all of womankind.
By Mandy Jewell5 years ago in Viva
"Drag Race UK" Features Poignant Look At Gender Norms
Although I've watched all 12 complete seasons of #RuPaulsDragRace and am currently well into season 13, this is my first time watching #RuPaulsDragRaceUK. The most recent episode on January 28 on #Crave in Canada featured probably one of the most remarkable, poignant and heartwarming conversations about gender norms and life outside the gender binary between two of the queens - #GinnyLemon and #BiminiBonBoulash.
By Christina St-Jean5 years ago in Viva
How Asian Beauty & Fashion Influenced Western Culture
The word culture often evokes strong feelings of social integration, of learning, and of understanding other ways of life. In today’s society, what we consider stylish or attractive is evolving as the world around us becomes smaller. We all know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but what we class is beautiful is heavily influenced by culture. Youthfulness dominates American society, with natural skin, and fair skin, coveted in Europe and Asia, respectively.
By Amy Mercer5 years ago in Viva
I want to runaway
When I anonymously surveyed women around the world for their hidden thoughts in 2015, I was not expecting the responses I received: hilarious, confessional, gut-wrenching, eloquent, brutally honest and most definitely raw. Body image, sex, grief, identity and worth were themes of the 35-55 age group as well as many women with the desire to run. Away. Anywhere.
By Katy Abbott5 years ago in Viva
