The Joss Whedon Feminism Problem.

A few weeks ago, someone on Facebook posted the well known response Joss Whedon gave to the question, “Why do you keep writing strong female characters?”

His response: “Because you keep asking me that question”.

For those of you who don’t know, Joss Whedon is the creator of the television series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and Dollhouse. He is well known for the strong female characters he creates in his shows. Everywhere you go, you see high praise for his strong, feminist characters.

Except on Cracked.com. Apparently, they are not too fond of him or his “strong female characters”. I have come across three articles from the comedy site that attacks him and his “progressive” writing.

According to 5 Reasons It Sucks Being a Joss Whedon Fan:

Joss shoots his actresses most lovingly when they're wet and crying and curled up in the fetal position, pressed up against a wall, broken, mascara running, bleeding, and reaching out. And what are they typically reaching out for? Some dude (or vampire or werewolf) and the dick he's attached to.

In Hollywood's 5 Saddest Attempts at Feminism:

Despite River's inherent ass-kicking abilities, she rarely uses them to the benefit of the crew. The character has been driven insane by her experiences, and therefore she spends most of her time saying crazy things and throwing up in her brother's bed.

In fact, protecting River forms the backbone of no less than five out of thirteen episodes, plus the theatrical movie. That's an awful lot of rescuing for a feminist hero.

In today’s 5 Old-Timey Prejudices That Still Show Up in Every Movie:

Joss Whedon can pretend like the ass-kicking supermodels were created as a reaction to the helpless victims, but he's just substituting one weird male fantasy with another. It's as if there's nothing in between "beautiful victimized woman crying while splattered in blood" and "beautiful invincible woman kicking people while wearing skintight fetish gear."

Not seeing any of his shows or movies, I can’t judge them for myself (although that hasn’t stopped me in the past…) I have nothing against Joss Whedon. I don't know him or his work. But that won’t be the point of this article. I will not be trying to figure out if he really does write well for women.

I am so confused as to what a “strong female character” actually is. This is why I was partially confused with this comic book article. "A women is having sex on her own terms? Yay! A women is having sex on her own terms? Boo!" I might see a half naked woman and say “I don’t think a women should dress that way” and I’m chewed out and told that “I can’t handle a woman expressing herself as a sexual being”. But then I see another woman dressed the same way and I’m told that it is “sexist and degrading”. So, what's the difference? What is and is not sexist?

I understand context plays a huge role. Why a character is doing what she is doing is vital. Why the character was written that way, the intention of the writers. If you set up a back story and really develop a character, it's a lot better than introducing a woman and having her make out and have sex within a few seconds with anything that moves. Context, context, context!  But can we always know the context behind everything? Even in something that is considered degrading, a woman must have been comfortable enough with herself and her body to do that. (i.e. this controversial Miller Lite ad) Why do the women have no problems being in this ad? Why do they think this is acceptable? Was their participation even consensual? Were they forced? Etc.

And is context always necessary? I'm sure Joss Whedon has the best of intentions when writing, but the road to hell is paved with good intentions. A comic is obviously different because there is no consenting woman, but who is to say that the writers/artists aren't trying? Or won't set up context in the future? Obviously, a back story should take place in the first issue of a reboot...

 One is Empowering. One is Sexist. Without context, what’s the difference?

This is my, and possibly many others, problem with feminism and political correction; there is no generally accepted list of rules or guidelines of what is and is not considered appropriate. I think there is a very general sense, but 90% of questionable material is thrown into a grey zone. It’s like the definition of pornography as outlined by Justice Potter Stewart, "I know it when I see it".

I think we can all agree that the Miller Lite ad was sexist, even though it tried (poorly) to make it about stupid sexist advertising at the end, kind of. But I found a JCPenny ad that was taken down due to One Million Moms insistence. I actually thought it was funny and did a better job making fun of blatantly sexist advertising. However, it only works as a onetime ad, maybe during the Super Bowl. The more they use it, the more they are trying to use sexist advertising and thus, the joke is ruined. I did have someone tell me that they thought it was sexist. Well, I have my opinion, and she has hers.

 In case the links don't work:

Miller Lite Ad

 JCPenny Ad
(I have no idea why the video is running really fast. The images are all you really need and there is enough of the dialogue to get the point across)

And that’s it; it’s an opinion. One person will see something as progressive, another will see it as a step backwards. Many think Crash is a groundbreaking movie about race relations, some think it’s actually a very racist movie. The same goes for The Help. Brilliant insight into the Civil Rights Movement or another Affluent White Person’s view without input from the African-American Maids? I didn’t see racism in The Phantom Menace, others did. The unscientific CNN poll (that is no longer up and I can’t find, so you’ll have to take my word on it) said 50% of people thought “Schweddy Balls” from Ben and Jerry’s was offensive, while 50% didn’t. Some claimed The Daily Show was sexist. Some said that they weren't. It’s all an opinion. Most of this is debatable!

Until there is a consensus to what is and is not acceptable, do not be offended by ignorance, because education is not as easy as it looks. I understand that women are sexual creatures, but I can’t tell when it crosses the line of empowerment to sexism. I should note that I have this ultra-prudish creature within me that I try to keep under control, but I think he comes out too often. When he is under control, I try to be more open-minded.

Do you think Babs Bunny from Tiny Toons is a strong female character? Or Elaine Benes from Seinfeld? They are developed individuals and are more than just a female/woman.

Maybe this will help.

Well, I frankly don't know what I'm talking about anymore. Here's this, just for the Hell of it: