pop culture
Female pop-culture icons, women in the media and the depiction of women in the entertainment and pop culture sphere.
If These Forms Could Talk...
Kristen Roupenian’s short story "Cat Person" published in The New Yorker has gained a lot of notoriety, and for good reason. Besides its immediately evident relatability, particularly to Millennials, it is not a very explicit work. This naturally draws out flocks of self-taught literary critics that archive blog posts recounting easily-digestible interpretations about “what 'Cat Person' does for feminism.” Not to say that no one has deconstructed "Cat Person" in a non-feminist lens, but there is undeniably a large pocket of criticisms working at this angle. However, these types of readings are not only narrow in scope, but sloppy. Form is largely ignored, despite it having just as much to say as the explicit narrative. Roupenian very slyly subverts and combines them to make her larger overall point: a reflection on how millennials now date and interact.
By Nadine Pothier7 years ago in Viva
BeYoutiful
We hear people say beauty is skin deep, but the media is a constantly contradicting that statement. Many of us try to empower others by telling them what is on the inside is what matters the most. Although, it is not easy to empower someone who is being strongly affected by the powerful influences of the media; it ends up becoming difficult to let the important messages shine through all the toxicity. You can hold an umbrella over your head but the rain will continue falling; the media is just like that, even if we try to protect ourselves from its influences it’s still present. Each and everyday, the media goes through extreme lengths to put out content that represents the ideal beauty standard. The content is seen all around us, from music videos to billboards. Unfortunately, most of the content that is put out distorts the public’s perception of beauty.
By Loss of Identity8 years ago in Viva
Fireflies in the Dark
Did you ever catch fireflies when you were younger? Put them in a jar to watch them glow? Did you remember to poke holes in the lid? Did you put them in your room like a nightlight? Until, one by one they fall to the bottom and go out. Did someone tell you to let them go or they would die? Did you keep them anyway?
By Skyler Whitfield8 years ago in Viva
Four Fat Instagrammers You Should Be Following
We all know the web is flooded with influencers trying to gain some followers or get some free stuff. It can be hard to sort through accounts and personalities and blogs to find people in a community that are genuine and have unique, engaging content. This is especially true of the plus-sized community on Instagram, which is growing larger by the day. Don’t get me wrong—community growth is a great part of social media and the plus-sized community needs it. But it can be really hard to figure out where to start if you’re looking to find a community online. Look no further—here are some of the most prevalent, interesting, and engaging plus-sized influencers you should be following.
By Lauren Bowring8 years ago in Viva
Sexism in the Geek Community
Comic books and graphic novels: two of my many favorite things. Two things that I had to keep hidden away while growing up. Two things that I cannot openly talk about unless I am with my husband. I'm 23 years old; I shouldn't have to hide this or be treated like a little girl that doesn't know what I'm talking about when it comes to my dork side.
By Kilyn Wymer8 years ago in Viva
What Is a Beauty Queen?
Since my first days in the pageant world, I've often been asked by several people, "What is the difference between Miss USA and Miss America?" In the modern world, the two tend to run together more than ever before. Having competed in both systems, the major differences became very clear to me this past week.
By Rae'Lee Klein8 years ago in Viva
I Spent a Month Watching Women-Directed Movies and Here's What I Learned
I don't know what came to me when I decided to do it. Perhaps it was after I learned that only five women (all white, by the way) have been nominated for best director in 90 editions of the Oscars (yeah, yeah, awards mean nothing, but cut me some slack). Maybe I was excited about A Wrinkle in Time. Maybe I have a lot of free time (it's probably this). But whatever it was, I decided that I was going to spend March watching only female-directed, written, and/or starring movies (jackpot if it's the three). And after watching them, I came to the conclusion that there's a lack of representation from the media and the industry, which is no shocker. We can easily name ten male directors. Women directors? Until this past month, I hardly could...
By Andrea de Lera8 years ago in Viva
Greta Gerwig Is Only the 5th Female Director to Be Nominated Best Director at the Oscars – Is This Only Because of the Golden Globes Snub?
The celluloid ceiling is a phrase used to describe barriers that stop women progressing in the film industry. It's just another word for the glass ceiling. We're no strangers to the lack of females in the movie industry but the fact that no more than five women have been nominated best director at the Academy Awards' 90 years of awards, is catastrophic.
By Katie Burnside8 years ago in Viva
