Truth by Parklands Secondary College

TRUTH

September 2016

Emma Watson

“Woman feel like we need PERMISSION. We need to lead and change that.” - Emma Watson

THIS IS WHAT A

FEMINIST LOOKS LIKE

TRUTH

Contents

September 2016

1 The TRUTH Magazine’s Exclusive Interview with Angelina Jolie

7 Why “The Great Gatsby” Conforms To Society Gender Roles

11 Jennifer Lawrence Interview

15 Introduction To The World Of #Femvertising

17 Feminism Icon Quiz 19 Feminist Icon and Role Model, Emma Watson

21 Emma Watson’s Empowering Speech

"I think we've gotten so used to underweight that when you are a normal weight it's like,

'Oh, my God, she's curvy.' - Jennifer lawrence 2

24 The Truth Behind Beyonce’s song “Flawless”

26 Movies to see: She’s The Man - Film Review

29 Poem: Feminism isn’t a word

30 Ocean Inspired MakeUp Tutorial

“There is no greater pillar of stability than a strong, free and educated woman, and there is no more inspiring role model than a man who respects and cherishes women and champions their leadership.” - Angelina Jolie Pitt

THE EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH

ANGELINA JOLIE 3

RUTH Magazine interviews Angelina Jolie (Angelina), a well known and successful actress, filmmaker, and humanitarian, with regards to feminism and gender roles within the film industry.

TRUTH Magazine: Good day, Angelina! As the famous feminist icon you are, we decided to contact you to get a brief inside on gender roles portrayed within the film industry and your overall view on feminism.

AJ: Well in general it is quite evident that men do dominate this industry and woman have been very excluded, as the industry is still stuck in its gender bias. Although there are female characters and filmmakers such as me, I can say from experience that we are not as merely recognized as what the men are. Gender inequality is a serious issue within in the film industry as woman are fairly misrepresented to a large extend and are mostly only portrayed in a sexual way. It’s terrible.

Angelina Jolie: Hello Justine! I’m so excited to be here and express my thoughts regarding this major underlying issue that I feel so strongly about. TM: Well first oﬀ we’d like to know a little bit about the powerful speech you gave at the biannual African Union Summit? AJ: My speech was mainly directed at the global community to address the violence and #human rights violations that impact women and girls around the world. I feel so strongly about this epidemic and I feel it is very necessary to address and combat this situation because although as terrible as it seems it is still treated as a lesser crime and lower priority. TM: That is really amazing, I admire your determination to make a diﬀerence for all women out there. As we all know you’re a big part of the film industry and we’d like to find out more about how gender roles are brought about in that field? 4

TM: That’s really interesting to hear and quite disheartening that women are treated that way. Obviously you’re a very successful female filmmaker what advice would you give other future female filmmakers. AJ: Well first of all I encourage all women out there to show each and everyone that our gender doesn't define what we can and can’t, all women out there can be better if they put their minds to it. My advice is work to your full potential and don’t allow anyone to tell you, you can’t do it because you’re a women. TM: Do you consider yourself a feminist? AJ: Of course, I believe in woman power. TM: We admire your feministic view point and strong belief in woman. We just want to say thank you for joining us today, we appreciate your time and knowledge and we wish you all the best for the future. AJ: Thank you for having me it was so much fun! I hope I answered any of your uncertainty about gender roles.

THE

“NOT SO GREAT”

GASTBY

“THE GREAT GATSBY”

WHY CONFORMS TO SOCIETY GENDER ROLES Review By: Lara Adkins

This historical drama/tragedy is a riveting film that will capture your attention within the first minutes. Gatsby, a wealthy and popular man but somehow a complete mystery. We see the storyline told through the eyes of our protagonist, Nick Caraway, in which the mysterious characteristics that Gatsby possesses are told as well as being introduced to the other protagonists of the film such as Daisy and Tom Buchanan. Although, as the plot progresses, his personal feelings and the past are revealed to us making it evident that Gatsby is not as mysterious as depicted initially. Furthermore we see F.

Scott Fitzgerald conform to gender roles through female characters such as Daisy Buchanan.

Through out the plot gender roles can be seen as an issue, as in many instances women are seen in an inferior or generalized way. One of the major stereotypes we see in the film is women to be seen as driving badly. This is seen outside Gatsby’s party when a women is seen crashing her car, as well as during the climax of the film a women is seen to have driven over a pedestrian. Furthermore women are often depicted as sexual objects to be won by the male protagonists of the plot.

We see Daisy’s husband, Tom, depicting unfaithful actions towards his wife as well as the fact that Daisy is depicted as unintelligent along with her friend Jordan Baker.

author can be seen conforming to gender roles as he portrays the women of the plot in a generalized and misogynistic manner, subsidizing to the creation of gender roles seen in today’s society.

Although The Great Gatsby’s plot is extremely enticing and well written, evidence provides that the

Left: The cover photo of the film, The Great Gatsby

Left: The 1974 version of the film The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Jennifer Lawrence: Hollywood INFLUENCES feminism

ell known for her role as Katniss Everdeen, Jennifer Lawrence has been a symbol for hope where fighting for others comes into play. TRUTH Magazine interviews the Hunger Games actress - she talks about the Hollywood life, how it has aﬀected her as a person, and feminism.

TRUTH Magazine: Hi Jennifer! It is so good to have you here today, thank you for taking the time to do this interview!

Hunger Games were really huge achievements, or maybe social media just needed someone new to pick on (laughs) ha-ha.

Jennifer Lawrence: Hello! It’s so good to be here today, it is no problem at all!

TM: (Laughs) Ha-ha, yeah! Those movies are really good and became popular so quickly as well!

TM: I’m glad! So, tell me, how did your career really take oﬀ?

A lot of people question that you’re not on social media, why is that?

JL: I guess it was when I started doing all of the movies that got very popular you know? The movies such as X-Men, and The

JL: It is because the internet has scorned me so much that I feel like it’s high school all over again, and I am like, ‘been there done that never again thank you’. It gets old so I decided against it.

TM: Wow! I wish I could do that without having FOMO! Do you think that social media has a big impact on teenage girls? 14

“ITS MY

BODY AND IT SHOULD BE MY CHOICE” JL: Yes, I definitely do. Girls see enough of this body that they cannot imitate, that they will never be able to obtain, these unrealistic expectations are what ruin people. All that should matter is to look strong and healthy.

I'm just gonna be like a puppet that's being dressed by everybody else. TM: So how would you describe your style now? JL: "Slutty power lesbian." That is literally what I say to a stylist.

TM: So, when did you start caring about designers and things like that?

[Laughs.] I don't know if that's oﬀensive.

JL: Pretty recently actually. I think I had to take control.… It was like, if I don't start getting an opinion, 15

TM: But that puts me in a tuxedo frame of mind, which I don't feel like I see you in.

JL: Well, first of all, Dior is its own house that's very feminine and beautiful. So you don't see me as a slutty power lesbian on the red carpet a lot, because I am embodying the Dior woman, which is an honor.

then what's the point in having a voice at all if I'm not going to use it for what I truly believe in?

TM: It was interesting watching Joy on the heels of having read your Lenny essay. Joy does come into a sense of her own power, and it feels like those are muscles you're flexing in your role in Hollywood right now too—first with Hunger Games, when you shattered the ideas of what a female-driven movie could do at a box oﬃce.

TM: I understand the argument that actors aren't more entitled than anyone else. But they're certainly as entitled as anyone else.

JL: Yeah, we broke that record, and I didn't even realize. TM: How did you decide to take a stand about [fair pay]? JL: It was so personal that it was scary.… I keep going back and forth on being opinionated. I completely agree when there are actors who say, "Actors should out of politics. We're not politicians." [And] my business is based on everybody buying tickets and seeing my movie.… It's not smart, business-wise, to be opinionated. But

JL: Of course. And the women's pay gap is a real thing that a lot of people don't know about. It hasn't been in our consciousness; it wasn't in mine. I don't think it was Sony's fault [that I was paid less than my male costars in American Hustle]. I don't think it was anybody's fault.

“

I was encouraged not to use the word ‘feminism’ in my speech because people felt that it was alienating and separating and the whole idea of the speech was to include as many people as possible. 21

eminist Emma Watson stands up for women’s rights in various ways. We got an exclusive interview with her discussing the issue of feminism. We’ll be getting an insight on Watson’s opinions regarding questions some of our readers have enquired.

TIME Magazine: Welcome Emma, thank you for joining us today!

EW: "I've had my arse slapped as I've left a room. I've felt scared walking home. I've had people following me. I don't talk about these experiences much, because coming from me they'll sound like a huge deal and I don't want this to be about me, but most women I know have experienced it and worse…this is unfortunately how it is."

Emma Watson: Oh it’s an absolute pleasure! TM: So tell me, how can men act as feminists? EW: Oh, it can be really basic. You just need to be an active bystander. Most men I've spoken to have come across a moment where they were in a group of guys and something was happening that made them feel uncomfortable. And when that moment comes, don't think it's not worth it to speak up or not your place to ruﬄe feathers. We need you to do that.

TM: Wow! It’s crazy how people can be so disrespectful… What are the benefits of gender equality?

TM: And have you experienced sexism during your time in the film industry? 22

EW: The question is, what's in it for humans? Martin Luther King said injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. I really do believe that. And the benefits on top of that? Happier, healthier, more successful children? Being able to take proper paternity leave and see your baby? Actually getting to be yourself ? Getting asked out by a woman? Better sex?

A marriage that is a true partnership? More diverse and interesting perspectives in art, culture, business and politics? Getting to crowdsource all the innovation and genius in the world, not just half of it. A highly increased number of safe, confident and fulfilled people on the planet, particularly women? World peace? Seriously. World peace! TM: What are your feelings on the inequality in Hollywood? EW: “Whether you are a woman on a tea planation in Kenya, or a stockbroker on Wall Street, or a Hollywood actress, no one is being paid equally."

girls look up to you! Thank you for taking the time out to do this interview.

TM: That sounds accurate! What’s it like taking time oﬀ to focus on HeForShe?

EW: It’s absolutely no problem! I love to get a chance to speak about things like this as I am very passionate about it! I could honestly speak about it for hours on end, (laughs) ha-ha.

EW: "It feels like I'm really doing what I'm meant to be doing." TM: That’s good, and I’m happy for you! It’s always good to do what you feel you’re meant to, and I’m sure a lot of 23

Watson’s Empowering Speech

On September 20, 2014, the HeForShe campaign was launched at the United Nations headquarters in New York. As the UN Women Goodwill Ambassador and co-host of the event, Emma Watson, was chosen to give a speech introducing the campaign. Watson is a strong promoter of the equality of the sexes. After being introduced and welcomed to the stage, she took her place at the podium. “Gender equality is your issue too.” She began her speech by addressing “Your Excellency’s, UN Secretary General, President of

- based assumptions and her journey to becoming a feminist as her second goal. She spoke of her own experiences and used statistics to support her statements as a platform to accent the problems in today’s society with disadvantages placed on women because of their genthe General Assembly, Exder. Emma ended the ecutive Director of UN speech by emphasizing the Women, and distinguished importance of everyone’s guests.” She then continued participation in this camto mention the campaign, paign, man or woman. She HeForShe, and petition the emphasized that men are afhelp of her audience. Her fected by gender-based asfirst goal in this speech was sumptions as well as women, to dismiss all confusions and and feel they’re not able to misunderstandings of femiexpress their feelings and innism. She defined the term, securities, but they must be insisting that feminism was strong in an emotional way. not a weapon to be used In this influential and peragainst men, but an idea suasive speech, Emma that men and women should have equal rights & opportu- wanted to shine a light on the true intent of feminism, nities. She gave the campaign a personal touch by re- bring awareness, and invite all people to be supporters lating her own experiences 24 of feminism. with gender-

The primary audience of this event was men, contrary to popular assumptions about feminism being a woman’s cause. However, we can agree that anyone can learn from this speech. This speech was reinforcement to women and an invitation for men.

Emma Watson used many techniques to affect the audience. Her presentation of herself was poised and powerful, yet caring and humble. Her speaking style showed grace and passion, and her interest for the subject of feminism was evident in her facial expressions. She used statistics to add credibility to her speech, and used metaphors and personal experiences to

make it personal and memorable. She concluded the speech eﬀectively and briefly, leaving behind a memorable phrase: “If not me, who? If not now, when?”

Emma Watson captured the audience’s attention and kept it for the length of her speech. From a technical perspective, she seemed mentally and physically prepared, showing maturity and confidence despite her impressive audience. This speech was successful in introducing the HeForShe campaign and calling the audience to action. She powerfully expressed the need for men to be involved in this campaign, as much as women, saying, “Gender equality is your issue too.” 25

Beyonce’s “Flawless” has a whole other meaning... In Beyoncé’s song “Flawless”, she reaches out to her young female fans. She talks about the life that she has lived as a celebrity as she expresses, “a life full of fame, wealth, and opportunities.” When, in the song, Beyoncé sings “bow down bitches,” she is speaking to those who have ever disrespected her to respect all she has accomplished and the fact that she is a star now, as she worked very hard to get where she is now; she wasn't born famous.

society, they don’t care how much hurt others go through as long as they come out looking a certain way - this message was also expressed through Beyonce’s music video of “Pretty Hurts”.

The “girl power” theme of this song comes out when Beyoncé sings, “don’t think I’m just his little wife.” There is an attitude and perception that suggests females are working toward marriage and marriage alone, as if they are not important human beings outside of union with a man, which is absolutely ridiculous. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, a famous Nigerian feminist author, shares her own views on gender, saying; “We teach girls to shrink themselves,” referring to the unhealthy expectations society has of the female physique. Many models have been known to succumb to the idea of being thin, eventually driving them into anorexia. That is,

Adichie references the “glass ceiling.” Men are comfortable with women climbing high on the social ladder, as long as they don’t step on its top rung. This is a challenge to patriarchy. She complains that girls are being taught that marriage is all they can achieve in life, as if it is the only good thing in the world to achieve. In other words, other important things should be considered relatively unimportant, what people don’t understand is everyone has a choice in what they wish to do whether it is approved or not. Adichie is clarifying that marriage in itself is not a bad thing. Adichie insists that both males and females should aspire to getting married, since it can be a wonderful experience, she compares being

a woman to search the job market, competing with other applicants for the opportunities of a lifetime as if they shouldn’t be out looking for her. Adichie is claiming that there is a gender-based double standard regarding sexual expectations of people. Beyoncé references her body parts as flawless, something that she

wont allow people to criticized her for her sexual characteristics or lack thereof, but something that is just perfect simply because it was made that way, she is content with her how she looks, as she should be. The lyrAbove: Beyonce’s powerful performance at the 2014 VMA’s where ics in the song are author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie made a voice appearance in self-aﬃrming state- Beyonce’s song “Flawless” about the equality of the genders and how women are thought of as only having marriage as their life ments, not meant goal. for narcissism, bur rather for a boost of positive selfesteem.

MOVIES To See: She’s The Man REVIEW: BY: Bella Inglese

The movie challenges traditional interpretations of gender roles that are given in society based merely on gender, and not ability. When Viola asks the boy soccer team's coach to be on the team, he says girls are not as fast as boys and cannot beat them.

Voila makes the boys soccer team and beats her own school’s boy’s soccer team. The movie tells us that girls can do anything boys can, only while they’re pretending to be them. The transformation Viola goes through proves that femininity and masculinity are all in the eye of the beholder. Viola proves her masculinity by scrutinizing girls, which tells us that is how boys prove their masculinity. Society teaches

boys that in order to be considered a “real man” they treat girls this way.

Viola teaches her teammates that to be a “man”, they must be unafraid of going against what is expected of them. "Female" and "male" aren't accurate terms to categorize people, as many people don't feel like they fit into these two categories.

The film mocks sexual stereotypes and challenges the culture's emphasis on physical beauty rather than inner beauty. We have to look past labels and expand our views of what it means to be male or female; we need to forget stereotypes, as there should be no boundaries to how either gender acts or behaves. 30

girls do not dress for boys “They dress for themselves, and of course, each other. If girls dressed for boys, they’d just walk around 40 naked at all times.” - Bestey Johnson