Anna Grofik-"The Beauty Myth" & "Hair Matters"

Anna Grofik-"The Beauty Myth" & "Hair Matters"

In Naomi Wolf’s article, “The Beauty Myth”, she argues the existence of a current hindrance in women’s liberation: beauty and its impossible ideals. Wolf states that while the momentum of the women’s movement has broken crucial barriers in politics, social customs, and women’s healthcare, we are still chained by the cosmetic beauty standards that plague most women in this country.

            Particularly, the researchers’ find that women would rather lose ten to fifteen pounds rather than achieving any other goal shows the controlling grip that superficial appearance has on its victims and their priorities.  However, I don’t agree that the beauty myth is a political weapon. How can it be considered a political weapon if millions of women essentially pay for and support its existence, in terms of the cosmetic, fashion and beauty industry. Consider these industries, do they consist entirely of sexist individuals unified by a goal of essentially hitting below the belt on a woman’s sense of self-worth. The beauty industry would cease to exist without this demand for its products. However, I do believe the beauty myth is a cultural handicap. With numerous images of ‘ideal beauty’ being shown through the media, I can see how women get caught in this turmoil of body anxiety and low self-esteem. I also believe that the media places high value in the idea of female beauty, which transfers to cultural importance. Wolf also argues that the rise of the pornographic industry has a hand in undermining women’s sexual self worth.  I believe this is true because this industry objectifies women in the sexual sense. It is an unreal approach to female sexuality that results in a mockery of what constituted the sexual revolution. I agree with the article in saying that beauty is not universal or changeless. If beauty is relative, it is no wonder that one who strives for this unknown standard is subject to disappointment. The beauty myth claims to be a ‘celebration of women’ when in reality it is the coercion of women to conform to the idea that beauty is an assessment of self-worth. I also assent with Wolf’s idea that leaving a woman’s self-worth subject to outside approval is a form of social control. Furthermore, an idea that resonated with me was the concept that the beauty myth “exploits female guilt and apprehension about our own liberation-latent fears that we might be going too far”. In my opinion, these fears are fear of the consequences of changing such an integral facet of gender bias and how it will alter our daily lives. As Wolf states, modern women are moving while beauty is inert, contrary to the popular conception of ‘timeless beauty’. I believe that we are so invested in our visual perception of the world that we deny ourselves the chance to look beyond the superficial and see the beauty myth, as it is, a warped reality. I also enjoyed Wolf’s metaphor of the ‘Iron Maiden’ torture device as the current entrapment of women by ideal concepts of beauty, in that, it is essentially a tool to mask the individuality of women by enclosing them in a prescribed ideal. Furthermore, Wolf’s reference to ‘the ugly feminist” is something that I have witnessed in a fairly recent circumstance.  In the case of Sandra Fluke, a Georgetown student who provided testimony on contraception mandates to congressional democrats, the idea of ‘the ugly feminist’ was used in a political cartoon drawn by conservative Gary McCoy. In this cartoon, he distorts this woman’s appearance to assert the idea that a pro-choice woman must be unattractive, obnoxious, and essentially a prostitute. This occurrence just goes to show that the values of beauty and sexual ignorance are still intertwined in the ideals of society and add fuel to the fire of ‘the beauty myth’.

Sandra Fluke cartoon reference: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/08/sandra-fluke-cartoon_n_1333404.html

It is evident in Ingrid Bank’s article, "Hair Matters", that hair plays an important role in definition of self: socially, culturally, and aesthetically.  I personally agree that hair is a tool in some ways; we put out an appearance that demands something in return, such as respect, acceptance, or strange looks.

Particularly, this article focuses on the hair of African-American women and the connotations that are involved in, say, wearing one’s hair relaxed, natural, straightened, braided, or locked. It is interesting to note that the women interviewed associated hair with multi-faceted power; “natural hair as empowerment, hair as disempowerment, hair as economic power, hair texture as power, hair as power to attract mates, and hair as power to support perceptions and stereotypes”. I agree with Ronnie’s explanation and Bank’s assessment that “The very act of self-definition renders power”. I believe self-definition is a crucial aspect of being content with one’s self. Furthermore, the idea that an African-American woman who wears her hair natural is being revolutionary, going against the grain and against the expectations of society, was a common notion of the women who were interviewed. By rejecting mainstream notions of beauty, some women feel empowerment. I think this is very relatable because in making decisions against expectations, you form your own individuality. However, I do believe that it must be a decision made by you and not for the reason of simply going against something for the sake of being revolutionary.  Bank also discusses the role of hair as an African-American woman’s crowning glory and a demonstration of pride. Bank contends that keeping this pride is necessary to combat the mainstream images that reject the idea of African-American beauty. I believe this is one of the many ‘psychological scars’ facing African-Americans, as Bank discussed. In addition, I think that Andrea made an insightful point that the price of choosing is explaining your choice. Since hair choice reflects self-definition I think it is difficult to explain your choices because you are in a way putting yourself in a position to be judged, not only superficially.  Indigo also explains how external factors keep us from making our own choices. This is especially prevalent when women believe they ‘can’t’ do something to their appearance because they lack a, b or c. When we make these excuses we inhibit ourselves and let other people make choices for us. Bank poses the question, “if every person or act exists on a political level, how can people in general, and black women in particular, find ways to define and shape various aspects of their lives without external influences?” I don’t believe it is possible to achieve this without being influenced externally. When you consider your life and your choices, usually you can trace those choices back to an external influence. No matter how organically you believe you define yourself, our choices are inevitably going to be a product of some catalyst. Society and influence go hand-in-hand. In my opinion, unless you live isolated on a deserted island, you will be socially and culturally influenced. Some of the individuals interviewed, such as Stacy and Andaiye, recognized this external influence. Aria also points out that femininity in American society today is associated with long hair. For example when a woman has very short hair, we inherently bring into question her femininity and sexuality.  Cheryl brings a great example of this in her experience of being mistaken as a lesbian after cutting her hair short. Just because she didn’t subscribe to the ‘feminine trait’, she must not be interested in men. That is the kind of assumption that shows the power of the opinion of the opposite sex on the appearance of women. It is interesting to note that while considering long hair on African-American men, one of the women, Semple, viewed this as a sign of masculinity. Maybe long hair shows that a man is secure enough in his masculinity to possess a typically feminine trait, and this is attractive to her.  This article and Bank’s revealing interviews with African-American women provide powerful insight into the attribute of hair and its social and cultural meanings.