Ashley Judd's feminist essay

[johnnycomelurky]

I've never started a thread in the Feminism topic but wanted to share this essay Here by Ashley Judd in response to a furore over her having had a puffy face on a television appearance. I found it really eloquent and powerful and spot on. Just wanted to share :)

I don't think I've ever replied to a post in this topic but that is some article she has written.
She shouldn't have to defend herself though, but I think it's great that she has, and also the point she made about other women were critcising her too!

Yes, I saw that last night on feministing.com. It's nice to see a celeb speaking out against the media's pathetic obsession with appearance (women's that is, men can be old, grey and good to go).

It also pees me right off when I see comparisons of Kate Middleton and Sam Cam, FGS, and their respective dress styles. Report on what they do, FGS, not what they look like! (yeah right messy, like that's gonna happen anytime soon ).

I know messy when SamCam met Michelle Obama, there did seem to be a lot of talk about their respective dress senses. It is actually horrifying. What's worse though is that I sometimes get caught up in it. I have, on occassion, found myself watching those really crappy shows about celebrity weightloss or surgery and tutting about how awful it is that they've done X to themselves - but it really is just the other side of the same coin. I'm judging them for responding to all the pressure for them to look perfect. I definitely feel more than a little ashamed

We live in a world that is obsessed with beauty and youthfulness. what matters is not our self-image but the image that the others project on us. It is sad that often women are the harshest in their criticism.

Great article, shared it with others.

Very true, and it is very brave of her to use overt feminist terminology and analysis. A good article.

I saw this too - eloquent and thought provoking.

great article! I came on here to post about it, thank you for doing so!

Also came here to post about this. What a great woman. The Daily Fail accuse her of sounding self-obsessed in their article about it.

well of course the DM would think that cause god forbid women react in any way other than abject shame when their physical shortcomings are pointed out...

I love her, she writes great stuff on twitter.

Good for her.

Yeah, I mean why would you ever be self-obsessed/preoccupied with appearance? It's not like anyone ELSE ever mentions it

Good for her. One of the hardest day-to-day things for me when trying to behave more "feministly" (yeah it's not a word, never mind) is avoiding participating in the ongoing judgeathon around women's appearances. "Ooh look at her dress, that's not flattering AT ALL" (unless looking at clothes with a view to buying etc) or "oh look, she's lost weight, good for her" (unless someone's desperate to do so for their health). It all contributes to this atmosphere where our "duty" is to be hot, in everyone's eyes, the entire time. Which is clearly unobtainable given that some smarmy bastard is always on hand to point out the cellulite or fine lines or nose-shape of the obviously gorgeous. Love this blog post: You Don't Have To Be Pretty.

Great article,I really like her.Have shared it.

Sometimes I think I live on a different planet because I don't watch televsion or read the things most other women do so my world can be about economics, politics, work and real things that matter. I wonder if more women just turned off the switch and didn't buy the magazines they might find a huge world out there where women engage in their professions and enjoy life without too much concern about how they look?

You're right Xenia you do live on a different planet.