I've always been a fan of Kate Winslet's acting, and was thrilled when I saw the headline, "Kate Winslet: I'm a Feminist," although her declaration was not as quite cut-and-dry.
In a recent interview, Winslet talks about how she read Betty Friedan's The Feminine Mystique while preparing for her role in the upcoming film Revolutionary Road, where she plays a 1950s housewife. So when asked the big question,
'I think I probably am, aren't I?' Her assistant hurriedly adds, 'In a loose, unofficial kind of way,' but Winslet continues to ponder. 'I think I probably am. I mean, not in a bra-burning way. But I think I am a feminist, yeah.'
Nice job, assistant. Because loosely and unofficially caring about women's rights makes it acceptable. But as little as Winslet may know about the bra-burning myth, I still give her some props. Not nearly as much as I would give feminist activists like the fabulous Ashley Judd, but still props nonetheless.
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I believe part of the problem is that right wing fundies have turned the social understanding of feminism into an ugly thing; and therefore women are reticent to publicly avow their feminism. They are afraid that if they say they are feminist people will think that they are bitter angry, man hating shrews. This is probably what was behind the quick intervention of her publicist. Feminist are further not seen as feminine and this is something that could damage Winslets career as much of it depends on her ability able to portray a constructed femininity for the masses. While it is easy to critique her for her half assed endorsement, it is still more than what a lot of women are willing to do today.
I've always considered Kate Winslet a feminist, so I was surprised to find out she hadn't referred to herself as such until now. She's always been a fierce advocate for healthy female bodies and has spoken out against pressuring women in the industry to starve themselves and lose their natural curves.
So even if this is her first declaration as a feminist, I've felt it's been in her heart and actions for much longer.
I've always considered Kate Winslet a feminist, so I was surprised to find out she hadn't referred to herself as such until now. She's always been a fierce advocate for healthy female bodies and has spoken out against pressuring women in the industry to starve themselves and lose their natural curves.
So even if this is her first declaration as a feminist, I've felt it's been in her heart and actions for much longer.
I agree; I too have always felt that Winslet is a feminist because of the roles she takes (usually independent/rebellious characters) and what she says in interviews. She's challenged Hollywood's notion of beauty and has always seemed smart and confident.
It's definitely too bad that she apparently believes the negative stereotypes about feminism, but cool that she'd identify with it even without having someone nearby to explain that we're not as big and bad as they say!
I would cut her some slack on the reluctance to declare herself a feminist. It seems like she's just getting used to the identification and, as papercranes points out, she's been doing feminist work for a while. I'm not proud of it, but when I first started calling myself a feminist, it was always followed with "but not...y'know...a feminazi." I can relate. Hopefully she'll continue looking into feminism and see past the negative connotations.
Ell oh ell at the assistant. Is anyone else picturing a neurotic, petite thing with a severe haircut and glasses hopping nervously in the background?
Most identities based on ideology have enough social baggage that one feels continually obliged to define what one personally means by embracing that identity. Sadly, it's often a clarification by negation.
"I'm an American, but not the right-wing Bush-favoring kind." "I'm an anarchist, but not the bomb-throwing kind." "I'm a Christian, but not the anti-choice kind." "I'm a feminist, but not the bra-burning kind." It's not a matter of personally believing the negative stereotypes, it's a matter of knowing that other people do.
QFT!
An "unofficial" feminist? So she doesn't carry the membership card or attend the secret club meetings?
She must not be getting the monthly newsletter ;)
Someone needs to teach her the handshake.
It's because she never got her copy of the Feminist Agenda.
Damn. There's a membership card and a secret handshake?? why am I always the last person to know these things!
*headhang* . . . ;)
That must be why we didn't get our toaster...
damn.
I just don't understand why the bra-burning feminist is such a negative stereotype anyway - shouldn't we not just be "cutting her some slack" because we understand that there ARE negative stereotypes, but also (perhaps) considering what we may say if faced with the burning of the bras?
But I am glad that KW came out as feminist anyway. I just hope that one day we won't have to hear the "oh, but I'm not radical, I won't change what you think is right, I'll just fight for change in body image where everyone agrees that anorexia is BAD."
Is that really a feminist anyway?
I'm glad, and I also think she could care less about your or my approval.
And I think that goes for most women who identify as feminists.
I read an interview with Meryl Streep in Entertainment Weekly a few weeks ago, and the article referred to her as "an unrepentant feminist." Half of me was like, "Huzzah, she embraces her feminist identity and EW is acknowledging it!" the other half of me wondered why "unrepentant" was necessary to describe Streep's feminism.
Because clearly she needs to apologize for getting out of line! She should just keep her mouth shut and stand where the director tells her to!!
As much as I appreciate her something-of-a-declaration, I always find it strange when some women have to struggle with it so. I was a feminist before I even knew that the term existed. I was an iddy-biddy-baby feminist. I could easily recognize gender inequity- as far as it applied to me as a child. Stuff like not being able to do the same things you're brother could "because you're a girl". Or when your teacher at school asks for the help of "two strong boys" to help move a table. The only thing that changed about my feminism as I got older was the range of its scope.
I understand that some women realize that what they think is in fact feminism later in life because no one ever used that terminology around them or they never read any of "the books" when they were younger. The problem is that once you relate your feelings are feminism, why it's so hard to admit that? Theora mentioned how this happens to a lot of people: that Christians feel they have to distance themselves from crazy-Christians. But it's always more acceptable to say you're a Christian than you're a feminist.
I guess what I mean is: if you're able to say that you agree with all the stuff a movement or ideology stands for, why is it so much harder to just adopt the name as well? I have no trouble telling people that I'm straight edge, regardless of all the negative ideas and stereotypes that people think of...
When I was an ignorant high school student, I thought feminists were man haters/bra burners/humorless/whatever other wrong stereotypes we've had attributed to us, and would never have used the word to describe myself. However, I simultaneously believed in what feminism actually is: equality, female empowering, all-genders emancipating. It wasn't until college that it was beaten into my head that the horror stories were just that-- stories-- and that I was, indeed, a feminist.
She probably doesn't yet know what feminism is all about, what it stands for, what the realities vs. myths are, but is still willing to sign herself up with what it was decades ago and what her opinion of it is now. Snaps to Kate Winslet!
I'm confused as to whether you're agreeing or disagreeing with me.
"As much as I appreciate her something-of-a-declaration, I always find it strange when some women have to struggle with it so. I was a feminist before I even knew that the term existed. I was an iddy-biddy-baby feminist. I could easily recognize gender inequity- as far as it applied to me as a child. Stuff like not being able to do the same things you're brother could "because you're a girl". Or when your teacher at school asks for the help of "two strong boys" to help move a table. The only thing that changed about my feminism as I got older was the range of its scope."
Exactly the same for me...great point. But about the KW thing...I read the interview and although she was very...vague about whether or not she actually was a feminist, while reading I felt some pity toward her; becuase of the assistant's 'helping hand' in the interview, if even her assistant is pushing misoginy onto KW's lap imagine what the rest of her social circle is doing.
'I think I probably am, aren't I?' Her assistant hurriedly adds, 'In a loose, unofficial kind of way,' but Winslet continues to ponder. 'I think I probably am. I mean, not in a bra-burning way. But I think I am a feminist, yeah.'
That impresses you? Really?
omg that's exactly what I was thinking! *high five*
What is a feminist? It's not a term with an absolute definition. Serious, 2nd generation? 3rd gen? Rad Fem? Privileged Fem?
Why expect a celebrity to give a great off-the-cuff answer.
I'm not judging her answer (love you Kate), I'm judging the people who feel flattered and validated by it. She clearly doesn't know or care much about the word Feminism. I'm fine with that, but I don't need celebrities to justify my beliefs.
It's not as much justification as recognition. No one's going to care if you and I are feminists because no one knows who we are. We aren't household names. Kate Winslet on the other hand is well known. It's no different than actors coming out on gay rights, global warming, etc. It's the recognition. And hopefully, more girls who look up to her will look into feminism themselves and find that they too are feminists. Never underestimate the power of name recognition.
I acknowledge your point, but she clearly has given Feminism no thought or interest. She's signing up for it the way college kids join FB causes. Sure, why not, whatever that is.
Considering she's reading "The Feminine Mystique", I think she has a lot more information than some college student does for an FB cause. I think she has a better grasp on the subject.
I don't mean to come off as defensive, but sometimes the stuff you say is really insulting. All we really have to go off of are her words on the matter. I don't think you have the authority to say what she's really saying, since that means you would have access her thoughts. I don't think you do, but that's just an assumption.
Fine, she's given Feminism a lot of thought and her reaction to it is:
"'I think I probably am, aren't I?' Her assistant hurriedly adds, 'In a loose, unofficial kind of way,' but Winslet continues to ponder. 'I think I probably am. I mean, not in a bra-burning way. But I think I am a feminist, yeah.'"
Does that make it a stronger endorsement?
Yeah, this seems like a very disappointing exchange to me. How awful that the assistant would feel the need to add that nasty little tidbit and how Kate herself is so wishy washy and noncommittal to the idea.
If anything this is just one more example of the way the conservative right and our society as a whole has demonized feminism in a very tangible main stream way so that women/girls as so stigmatized against it that they won't feel comfortable self identifying or perhaps even seeking out information.
Ewww, no one wants to be a feminist! I still get that reaction from people in generic "getting to know you" conversations. Or, more commonly, they get very skeptical and make me "define" feminism for them because I couldn't POSSIBLY be serious. Ugh :k
Yeah, this seems like a very disappointing exchange to me. How awful that the assistant would feel the need to add that nasty little tidbit and how Kate herself is so wishy washy and noncommittal to the idea.
If anything this is just one more example of the way the conservative right and our society as a whole has demonized feminism in a very tangible main stream way so that women/girls as so stigmatized against it that they won't feel comfortable self identifying or perhaps even seeking out information.
Ewww, no one wants to be a feminist! I still get that reaction from people in generic "getting to know you" conversations. Or, more commonly, they get very skeptical and make me "define" feminism for them because I couldn't POSSIBLY be serious. Ugh :k
I guess it depends on how you read her response. I suppose from one angle it's wishy washy and non-committal, but from another, it's the first tentative foray into new territory. I mean, considering the response that feminism gets in the "real" world, can you imagine Hollywood's response? What's more, perhaps she's not ready to declare herself an "unrepetant feminist" like Streep above simply because she doesn't know enough about it yet.
I'm not trying to make excuses for her. I just think the reaction to one woman's -gasp- heaven forbid, reluctance to categorize herself as a feminist, even though her actions say as much, is kind of harsh. I think she's uncommitted to the term as opposed to the idea. I know many people who are feminist at heart but refuse to categorize themselves as such, sometimes simply because they don't like labels.
Perhaps I'm just biased because I like Kate Winslet :)
Mmm. Yeah, I thought she was great in _Little Children_; she plays a sort of well-educated, restless housewife in that movie, too, with an asshole husband that cheats on her. Interesting movie.
Mmm. Yeah, I thought she was great in _Little Children_; she plays a sort of well-educated, restless, neglected housewife in that movie, too, with an asshole husband that cheats on her. Interesting movie.
Actually, she cheats on him. A LOT. i mean, with one guy but it gets pretty steamy. anyway, it's an amazing movie.
I know. But I think he was cheating on her first. And he totally deserved it anyway. Ha.
I think a lot of people think you need special feminist education in order to declare yourself a feminist. To me her comment was along the lines of, "I'm for equality but I'm not up on all the terminology and theory."
I actually LOVE Kate Winslet! I think she is such an amazing actor and have loved her in everything I've seen, even if the movie itself sucked. Little Children was great and Holy Smoke was pretty interesting. I'm surprised that she hasn't self-identified with feminism before given the roles she has chosen and her stance on the portrayal of women bodies in film. I think it's great if she self-identifies now with feminism though, even if she gives a bullshit qualifier, it's nice to have high profile women "out" on their feminism. :)
I'm not actually all that interested in Revolutionary Road (not all that big on watching a couple being miserable together for two hours), but am super excited about The Reader that's coming out soon.
"Ell oh ell at the assistant. Is anyone else picturing a neurotic, petite thing with a severe haircut and glasses hopping nervously in the background?"
Riiiiight. Because making fun of a woman's appearance and demeanor is soooooo feminist. Gracie-bird, I would advise you to "continue looking into feminism" until you, uh, get it.
Who ever said the assistant was female?
Good point. My comment was replying to Gracie-bird above - I apparently fail at the internet.
I would advise you to tone down the sarcasm and condescending behavior in your posts.
And no worries, we all make mistakes :)
Btw, was that actually her assistant, or her PR rep? Because I wouldn't be very comfortable with an assistant who cut me off and corrected me in public or assumes to know more than I do about what I think. Does that seem out of line to anyone else?
Now if only she'd quit finding it necessary to take off all her clothes in every single movie she's in....
She's said "I like exposing myself. There's not an awful lot that embarrasses me. I'm the kind of actress that absolutely believes in exposing myself." I'm not bothered by her nude scenes, it's not like all of them are meant to be highly sexual like in Holy Smoke she pees the first time you see her naked.
I keep thinking about this post, i just saw Revolutionary Road tonight, and I think I loved it. But the whole idea of the movie seemed to be that KW was stifled, she wanted more out of her life, sometimes in a feminist way...she was pretty strong and wanted to be working and wasn't satisfied with her suburban life. and not being able to act on it was the whole problem! and then meanwhile in the real world, she still can't be a feminist? it's still not a safe place to say that out loud for a celebrity? I find this article kind of troublesome after seeing the movie.