Feminist Speeches & Feminist Fairytales

[beccatoria]

1. Feminist Speeches

Okay, so, I really don't follow Australian politics at ALL beyond being passingly familiar with the name of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, but I saw this amazing speech via calapine, and had to share. It's 15 minutes long, but really, it's worth watching. I'm so impressed and refreshed by her unapologetic attitude, her willingness to frickin' say MISOGYNY like it's not a concept that needs to be defended every time it's raised. I miss speeches like this, substantive, pointed speeches, that aren't afraid to attack a position, or person, that needs attacking.

I mean, guys, come on, it starts with, "I will not be lectured about sexism and misogyny by this man. I will not. And the government will not be lectured about sexism and misogyny by this man, not now, not ever."

Feminist Fairytales

Secondly, you guys, I've been...really, really enjoying the second season of Once Upon a Time. It probably deserves its own post at some point, but briefly let me say that I feel like there's some subtle and retrospectively redemptive character work involved in Regina and Henry's relationship now that mitigates some of the issues I had around its treatment of adoption last season, and I am still slightly stunned that with Red and Belle being upgraded to series regulars, it's a show which stars five women, two men and a boychild without it being marketed or thought of as a show aimed at women.

I still think it's a shame it's so damn white (here's hoping Mulan and Lancelot stick around), and I wish that the enormous queerness weren't relegated to subtext (man that's ANOTHER post I need to make: why can't I ship Emma/Regina, dammit?!).

That said, Regina in particular has just been getting some fantastic character work in the opening episodes, and while I have a personal hatred of love triangles, even I appreciate the swiftness with which Prince Phillip was moved offstage to set up a team of Mulan and Sleeping Beauty vs Emma and Snow, and judging from the sneak peeks for next week, well, dudes, let's just say I'm impressed by this show's commitment to grounding itself with mother-daughter relationships, even from angles and characters I was never expecting to see again.

Keep it up, Once Upon A Time!

Comments

[goodbyebird]

That's why I liked the show and its potential to begin with: the focus on the female characters. And I think I actually faltered right about the time you did? So could be I give it a second shot, once there's a bit more of s2 around. Read below that badass Snow is back, and a big hells yes to that *g*

I've completely abandoned GoT, so if when I try Sinbad that doesn't work out, I shall indeed be in need of another fantasy show ;)

[beccatoria.livejournal.com]

Ooooh, Sinbad, yes, that looked kind of interesting? I haven't seen any of it though - let me know if it's good? It looked kind of like Xena, in a good nostalgic way, but probably less cheesy?

[goodbyebird]

Haven't seen any yet either, but I'll let you know :)