pop culture

Female pop-culture icons, women in the media and the depiction of women in the entertainment and pop culture sphere.

Clap, Punch, Kick. Physical is a harsh lesson in internalised female misogyny and the conditioning of female self consciousness.
I must admit I had a very visceral response watching the first six episodes of Physical. I was quickly transported back to my early childhood where the punishing and restrictive mentality of personal athletic betterment was relentlessly pushed out into the popular culture zeitgeist of the late 80’s - early 90’s. An issue that hasn't left but quietly established itself as the norm of personal female self-empowerment. If, you are a millennial who was reared during this conception of dysmorphic, diet culture toxicity, watching this will be nothing short of an uncomfortable trip down memory lane and for everyone else it will serve as a confronting reminder that there is still a lot of work to do in challenging these beliefs.
By Madeline Kenzie5 years ago in Viva
A Feminist Critique of Rocky Horror Picture Show. Top Story - June 2021.
Rhetorical analyses are a crucial part of understanding how the rhetor has impacted an audience. That being said, feminist criticism may look into how marginalized groups have been impacted by a rhetor. When reviewing the following research question: How do rhetors construct ways of being that are independent of accepted and conventional norms; we are able to further analyze the rhetor’s approach to creating a safe and understanding space for marginalized groups in an otherwise intolerant society. Being able to criticize an artifact using this question will allow readers to better grasp the idea of what it is like to be in a marginalized group and how to not only tolerate individuals but accept and embrace their unique qualities and what they bring to our society as a whole. This analysis will explore how Rocky Horror Picture Show dismantles the hegemonic ideology through generating multiple perspectives, reframing, and juxtaposing incongruities as feminist strategies of disruption.
By Kaitlyn Cope5 years ago in Viva
How Much Change Has Female Empowerment Brought to Society in Recent Years?
Over the years we have seen some major changes in society occur as a result of this movement – from how women are represented in the media to economic empowerment. Despite the setbacks of the pandemic, we’ve proven time and time again that we can fight for equality, and it’s vital we keep moving in the right direction.
By Caitlin Purvis5 years ago in Viva
make over
Acouple of nights ago, I watched The Princess Dairies. It’s the makeover story of makeover stories: socially-awkward and frizzy-haired Anne Hathaway discovers she’s a real-life princess and must begin training for her new royal role. By the end of the movie, she’s gone from a nerdy teenager stumbling in high heels to an elegant, modelesque princess.
By Freyja 5 years ago in Viva
Mean Girls Missed the Mark
I want to start this off by saying that I LOVE "Mean Girls". It is possibly one of the funniest, and most quotable movies in existence. I watch it every time I see it on TV. I mean how many times can you set through the entire thing before it stops being entertaining and hilarious?
By Raine Fielder5 years ago in Viva
The Gemini Enigma . Top Story - May 2021.
I am a Gemini. One of the most hated signs of the zodiac. Time and time again, I have encountered multiple skeptics on my supposed trustworthiness. Apparently I am a snake, and my personality will morph itself into a demonic entity the minute I let "Gemini" slip past my tongue. My outward behavior is automatically put in a high court of the zodiac rule, and I am most likely going to be found guilty of all charges. It's pretty brutal, I'll say that!
By K L5 years ago in Viva
Meet 5 Beauty Queens Representing Africa at This Year's Miss Universe
Miss Universe is an annual international beauty pageant run by the United States based Miss Universe Organization. It is by far one of the most watched beauty pageants in the world with an estimated audience of over 500 million viewers across over 190 territories. This year’s edition, the 69th edition – Miss Universe 2020 will be held on May 16, 2021 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.
By Jide Okonjo5 years ago in Viva
Writing: I'm Not Like Other Girls Toxicity
"You're not like other girls." This is a line many of us have heard in a film or TV show, usually said by the love interest to the heroine to praise her for her uniqueness. However, this is a bit of a backhanded compliment, especially when the praise is acknowledging traits many women have or insinuating its better not to demonstrate typically feminine character traits. That might be why this line is almost only found in young adult and teen media. Writers may not expect teenage audiences to analyse the subtext or larger social implications that dialogue can hold. By saying that your intelligence, sense of humour, chastity, lack of interest in makeup, independence, or whatever make you "different from other guys/girls," it's implied that anyone who identifies as other to those traits is somehow lesser than.
By Ted Ryan5 years ago in Viva
90's nostalgia...
I grew up around tie-dye, yin yangs and the Spice Girls. I grew up in a decade where the advances in technology were so important that we couldn't imagine life today without them. Imagine living without the internet, mobile phones or PlayStations... you can't can you? Everything about those 10 years had a shiny, loud, teetering-on-the-edge kind of feeling to it. The music was loud, Liam Gallagher's vocal in Wonderwall, the violins in Bittersweet Symphony, the beat in 2Unlimiteds' No Limitz, the techno-banjo in Cotton-Eye Joe, Mariah and Whitneys massive vocal stylings, the amount of feel-good feminism packed into every Spice Girls song, all larger than life. Ladies turned into ladettes, traditionally masculine heterosexual men turned into metrosexuals, eyebrows that started the decade thick and fluffy ended as thin lines, jeans that started off high-waisted and baggy, ended up super low rise and skin tight. And I lived, laughed and loved my way through every single second of it. I can't pick one trend that I would bring back from the 90's, so here's my top 10 nostalgic feels. (all images are from Google)
By Angie Tailor-Joice5 years ago in Viva
Semiotic Analysis of Emma Stone’s Revlon Advertisement & Its Sociological Effects . Top Story - April 2021.
Advertisements have a powerful impact on the way we subconsciously view ourselves and the world around us. Effective advertisements, especially visual ones instill emotions and ideas into their audience regarding themes such as gender, body, and consumption. If we understand how advertisements manipulate us, we will become better able to identify the manipulating elements and avoid becoming brainwashed.
By Noor 5 years ago in Viva
Revisiting the gypsy that I was
"As the light hits you, as you shift along the floor..." These opening lyrics from the enigmatic Kate Bush's "Oh To Be In Love" instantly transport me back almost 40 years ago to the night I met my first love, or so I thought.
By Shirley Twist5 years ago in Viva
Kicking Sass and Taking Numbs
Kicking Sass and Taking Numbs Ode to the Kick-Ass Heroines of Yesteryear and Today By R.C. Mantley Kick-ass heroines are all the rage these days. From Olga Kurylenko (Sentinelle, Netflix) as the brooding, pill-popping, Special Forces operative who is determined to avenge the rape of her sister. To Queen Latifah, as the latest incarnation of an ex-CIA operative named McCall—in her case, Robyn McCall—who is an Equal Opportunity Avenging Angel otherwise known as The Equalizer, now doing her shtick on CBS Television. But no matter the guise or who plays the role, or where these Idols of the Cave flicker, the tradition of the nose-busting, butt-whupping, take-no-prisoners distaff destroyer is alive and well— kicking. Or nannu, nannu, as Robin Williams as Mort, from Mort and Mindy, would say.
By R.C.Mantley5 years ago in Viva