Mahiya Rade, Week 9: Girl Power
The words GIRL POWER glittered across the T-Shirt. I stared, pinching the shirt between my fingers at arm’s length as if I were holding a mouse (to use a phrase—I would love to hold a mouse). My dad beamed. He had bought me the shirt, charitably saving me the tediousness of clothes shopping. “Do you like it?”
“Uh…mhm.”
I was ten years old and not particularly well-versed in feminism, but something about the idea of “girl power” struck me as deeply embarrassing.
Why? I’m a girl. And why wouldn’t I want power? I mean, go girls—at that age I harbored a vague disdain for any boys who weren’t my friends. If I ever saw someone wearing a shirt that said BOY POWER I would’ve ridiculed them.
At first I thought it was the glitter. It was too “girly.”
But really, I was irritated that someone thought there was a need to make a shirt that asserted the power of girls. Because that acknowledged girls were lacking in power, whether physical, or more importantly, societal. No one thinks of making a T-shirt that says BOY POWER because most people automatically accept men’s privileges throughout the history of just about the entire world.*
The word “power” written so boldly is a scream of defense. It is only for the people who feel they are threatened, whether they are or not (cough the white power movement cough).
I didn’t want to feel threatened, and the stupid GIRL POWER shirt seemed a public declaration of my weakness as a girl. So whenever I wore it outside, I ensured a hoodie hid the words.
*Okay, so I did find shirts which say boy power online, but in my defense, they seem to be marketed to gay men—somewhat of an oppressed group, historically. My point stands.
Hello Mahiya! When you mentioned your blog topic for this week in class, I was immediately intrigued and wanted to know more. I too have seen sparkly, unicorn covered shirts screaming “GIRL POWER” lining the shelves at about any and every store that sells clothing but I have never come across a “Boy Power” shirt. While the slogan “Girl Power” aims to inspire confidence and ambition in young girls, it has harmful implications. It suggests that girls are currently not empowered, and the lack of “Boy Power” materials implies the opposite. It is interesting to think about the impact that this culture can have on young women and men. I appreciate the inclusion of dialogue into your blog as it made the text seem more personalized and impactful. I look forward to reading more of your work in the future!
ReplyDeleteHey Mahiya! I loved the way in which you wrote this blog! When you told me that this was your topic, my head went in a completely different direction. For some reason, I assumed this would be more historical?? In any sense, though I am sure you would have written that beautifully as well, I loved the way you wrote this particular piece and the anecdote that you opened with. I feel like one of the most ironic parts of the story is that you were only ten when you saw that dynamic already flourishing. Of course, it is safe to say that sexism does not discriminate with age, and neither does misogyny, but still! It is quite sad to simply imagine that young girls out there are confused as to how a shirt with the words, "Girl Power," can frustrate them so. Though I do completely agree with the idea that it really is quite stupid that a shirt must be made with these words to encourage girls, especially since it acknowledges the lack thereof. But I believe the sentiment is true. In a society where girls are constantly doubting themselves, their ability and their power, it is important to remind them that it exists, and that it is abound. Though the narrative is not completely true, our beliefs play a huge role in the decisions and the power that we believe ourselves to have. There is a fine line between where we can both encourage women to embrace their power by first showing where it is lacking. Anyway, I appreciate the tone you utilized and the way it made me rethink and reflect on my own beliefs about power, especially that of women. I can't wait to read more of your work this semester!
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