Witchy Woman

Since Halloween in upon us I thought it would only be necessary to discuss witches, a powerful representation of women. The connotation of the word "witch" can divert into more categories, like an intricate spider's web.
Perhaps the reason I have always loved witches since I was a girl is due to The Wizard of OZ. I never had an affiliation with Glinda or Dorothy; they were both so quiet, and compliant and they never stood out to me. The Wicked Witch on the other hand, she had power; she worked alone (okay, she had the flying monkeys to help) but she went after what she wanted and she put her plans into motion. Granted, she didn't use her power for "good" but unlike Dorothy she was not looking for a man to come and save her i.e. the wizard. The Wicked Witch was never frightened to walk the streets alone, never worried she wouldn't find "prince charming," didn't need anyone to save her. She was completely unlike any of the female characters directed at young girls and I loved her!
Hence began my obsession with witches and perhaps why Halloween is my favorite time of the year. As I got older and began to learn about witches and how their power has marred history forever it is no wonder that these women were feared for the intellect and power they possessed. The fear of powerful women caused the deaths of hundreds of innocent people in Europe and the U.S.
Can you believe that the thought of women being able to cast spells and take control of their own lives scared the shit out of men to that extent??!! If that doesn't display the power women have then I don't know what does!
So if you are not normally a strong and confident woman perhaps you can tap into your inner witch this sunday and do something to exercise some power, even if it's teaching your dog a new trick. (And no, I wasn't referring to your boyfriend).

Happy Halloween!

Pop Starlet Vs. Rocker Chick

Rocker Chicks like Shirley Manson and Courtney Love have always been amazing to me as a girl and even now. The idea of a woman able to dress how she wants, rock the guitar, spew out "fuck you" lyrics and just not give a shit about the rules of being "a lady" has always impressed me.

Now when you compare them to the pop star who always worries about being in shape, wearing the sexy clothes and making the sugary love songs, it seems they are almost the epitome of the female societal role, the sex symbol. Don't get me wrong there are pop stars who teeter on the edge and break some rules but the rocker chick seems to exhude a more powerful woman.

However, the bad ass rocker chick seems to have died down, and in a world where the American woman can exert more power, the bimbo like pop star is what has become prevalent. I don't understand why bands like Halestorm are not more popular than they are and instead American girls choose to listen to Mandy Moores and Britney Spears'.

Not only do American girls listen to alot more female pop music but they also want to be just like them. The shallow, materialistic image who looks like a porn star but acts like a submissive doll. I am not saying all pop stars are like this but this is overall the image that they portray.

I don't think we give enough credit to guitar playing, song writing rockstars and i think it is because no matter how many liberites women enjoy for some reason the new generations of women are reverting back to gender roles and trying harder to be the submissive, image-obsessed automaton that American society and the media want them to be.

We need to stop promoting women to act and remain like little girls. We need to stop glamorizing the school girl image and encourage women to act like full growm adult women. The school girl image sells because it promotes this idea of innocence and passivity but also brings with it a load of sexual implications.

The image of an adult woman is a more powerful one, less virginal and let's face it america is obsessed with women being virgins even in a day and age where our hymen isn't being traded for cattle and a suitor!

Women, put down your Coach bags and Botox injections for a minute and look at the example you are setting for your daughter! It is enough that she is getting this idea from the music she is listening to so perhaps you can set a different example: That women are worth more than their virginity and their looks and that they have the opportunity to be powerful and make changes, something too many women outside of this country know nothing about.

Let's not waste our opportunities.