Tonight I had the pleasure of seeing the most famous photographer in the world.
Sometimes, being in college has its perks. Just Tuesday, my status was “there is nothing redeeming about Syracuse,” but I have since changed my mind. Sometimes, there are really beautiful flowers on my campus, and I salute the people that plant those flowers and make that decision, because that is a big redeemer for how shitty this city can be. Also, since Tuesday, I have received a lot of free food, and that sure makes this place more bearable. And then once in a while I get to see someone extremely famous and talented talk about important stuff. And that makes everything seem really rosy in Syracuse.

And Annie Leibovitz was pretty rad. She spoke pretty candidly about her work and what she loves about photography, and how she got started and what her favrite photos of, and some of the places she’s worked and stories she’s done. The audience laughed a bunch of times, and Annie had a surprising sense of humor. And at the end, she addressed her niece, a graduating senior, and I really wondered why she wasn’t our commencement speaker (over the infamous Jamie Dimon). All in all, really cool. And then I got to ask the first question in the Q&A!

I’ve been thinking a fair amount about these two photos:

(h/t to Feministing for bringing this to my attention long ago)

And I wanted to ask Leibovitz what she thought about Sean Lennon’s attempt at a remake. Because I really don’t like it. I think what is most powerful about the original cover (aside from the fact that Lennon was shot and killed 5 hours after it was taken) is how the status quo is reversed. Instead of the female looking demure, vulnerable, nude and passive, it’s Lennon. And in stark contrast to how females are generally sexualized, Yoko is fully clothed, and she looks powerful and confident – while still look sexy without being nude. That’s what strikes me as moving about this photo, and I think that is definitely part of what makes it the Number One Magazine Cover of All Time.

And Sean Lennon’s newer photo, in trying to be transgressive and subsersive, winds up doing the exact opposite – because the original already broke the mold, Sean manages to remold the entire thing when he tried to turn it around. The status quo takes shape in a woman’s nude body and exposed nipple, and a fully clothed man looking powerful and dominant. It’s not clever, I’ve seen this image before. I see versions of it every day. Maybe Sean was attempting to be doubly subversive, by putting Irina’s head above his and having her facial expression somewhat domineering. But I see the sensual pout hidden in that expression, and the nudity cancels all of that out anyway.

Of course, I didn’t word my question quote so eloquently when I had Annie Leibovitz right there. But it turned out she wasn’t familiar with the remake anyway. So instead of opining on transgressing stereotypes and subverting gender roles, she answered by saying a version of “imitation is the highest form of flattery.” That wasn’t the answer I was looking for. But yea, it was still pretty cool.

Also, I want to draw attention to how terrible this photo is. It makes me laugh, the irony of a terrible photo of an amazing photographer. As if you’d think someone who takes photos so beautifully would only appear in beautiful, high quality, well-composed shots. Alas.

Expect another post soon about this crazy evening with Annie Leibovitz…!!

Sometimes all I can think about is how much this commercial bothers me.
After taking my “fashion and feminism” class, I think this commercial is exactly what is fucked up about the fashion world. Fashion is supposed to be revolutionary and empowering! Without, of course, taking into account anything about production. For some reason, this commercial fills me with rage.

…without mentioning the double standard.

I know that “women’s issues” tend to be relegated to the styles section, which is not ok, but in this case, I don’t object – this article belongs in a gossip column. Without any substantive reporting or, in fact any thought, this article manages to do nothing.

An entire article debating the reasons for refusing to shave body hair, without mention of how men are exempt from this grueling task. Discussing who was seen on the red carpet with hairy underarms – without thinking for a second about why hairy men’s legs remain covered at such events. Monique said her husband likes her hairy legs – is that news? Do women complain about how hairy mens’ legs are? It’s never called into question. I’m astounded that an entire NYTimes article could omit this.

My favorite is a comment on the article is: “You don’t want to shave? Don’t. You want to date me? Do.” It’s clever in the wrong ways – OBVIOUSLY I don’t want to date you! You’re an idiot. Women who don’t shave probably aren’t interested in YOU. And how many women have oh-so-bluntly asked this dude to start waxing and plucking and shaving?

By positing that shaving is the normal, clean, beautiful thing to do, this reporter seemed to forget that hair does indeed grow on bodies. Naturally, hair is there. And that indeed, without shaving, women WOULD be hairy. If shaving is so natural, and hair just looks so mannish, how do we explain that women actually grow hair on their bodies? IT HAPPENS.

Agh. Does the Times think that by making mention of this double standard – by taking note that men aren’t expected to live up to the same expectations – they’d be doing something wrong? It’s not very controversial to SAY that currenty in mainstream America, women are expected to shave, and men aren’t.

This is not journalism, and I’m excited for Medusa to tackle this debate in the fall.

Here is a short piece I wrote for Promotional Writing class…
The assignment was to write a short paragraph persuading people to sign a petition in favor of allowing cigarette ads on primetime tv. Obviously, this is an impossible position to argue, so I took a somewhat ironic, tongue-in-cheek approach:

The images presented in beauty advertisements do more emotional harm than cigarettes do physical harm.

Beauty product advertisers make a profit by manipulating viewers and taking advantage of their insecurities, while even cigarette ads allow viewers to make a conscious choice to buy or smoke cigarettes.

Cigarette companies should have just as much chance to advertise, especially when the risks associated with cigarettes don’t compare with the body image issues, eating disorders, and violence against women perpetuated by unfair representations of gender in beauty advertisements. If beauty products can make money by perpetuating these norms, cigarettes should have that same chance.

When writing it, I expressed concern to my dear friend Erica Scarano. I told her that this is exactly what everyone expects me to write, and I’m tired of being the predictable token feminist. And she said “Who fucking cares? You shouldn’t feel bad about your beliefs.” And she is right.

I’ve been thinking a lot about being the “resident feminist” in my advertising classes. Whenever there’s an ad that deals with women or could be construed as offensive, all eyes are on me. Not only am I expected to have an angry reaction, but I’m expected to speak for all feminists, since I’m usually the only “out” feminist present. People are waiting for me to speak up and say something all the time – which I gladly do. But sometimes all those expectations feel like a burden.

Last night was Take Back The Night, one of the most powerful evenings on this campus, and so many people spoke about silence – shattering silence, breaking silence, refusing to be silent. But get this: sometimes I worry that since I am rarely silent about issues I feel strongly about, that my opinion doesn’t carry as much weight, somehow. Since I’m always the one speaking up, and everyone expects it of me, it’s easier to brush me off. “Oh, that’s just Sammy, she’s always going off about something.” Sometimes professors sigh before calling on me, like they’re tired of me having something to say. And I guess they just wish more people were speaking up and it’s nothing personal, but it’s tiring. Not to mention disheartening and frustrating.

Let’s let everyone speak up and be heard – and give everyone that opportunity, of course – but not discount the voices we may have heard before! Because if they get tired of being the only ones speaking up, then what? And hey, if I want to write about women’s issues in every single one of my adv assignments, that shouldn’t make my words any less meaningful.

Here’s some photos of my baby half-sister – I’m posting them so my brother can see them, he’s in Japan. Also, they are adorable and she is the best.
Some of these are from their trip to Thailand, and some are from Easter.