Feminist? Chauvinist?

I wouldn't consider myself a feminist. I'm a Mormon, so I'm sure that alone disqualifies me from the title. I am all for the institution of marriage, I'm against abortion in most cases, and I dream of being a stay at home mom. But that's not what I wanted to write about today.

I don't even consider myself a "Mormon feminist" (which seems to be growing in popularity) but I do believe that women suffer an oppression that has recently inspired my many silent monologues, and online searches for sympathizing bloggers. Unfortunately I've come up largely empty handed. So I guess it is up to me to write what I've wanted to read.

Interestingly enough my awareness of this oppression has come from the teachings of my church. This is an oppression that comes from the lies of a selfish culture driven by money and power. The lie is twofold: 1- the most important job of a woman is to be appealing to men. 2- Men are mostly (if not exclusively) interested in women's sensual appeal.

Now of course our culture doesn't state these lies quite that frankly. That's why they can get away with it. They rarely make fun of women who don't look young-skinny-pretty-skimpy. But do you ever see respectable female characters cast in respectable roles who don't fit that criteria? Hello plastic surgery, eating disorders, drugs, and expensive revealing attire. Oh, and as if all those self mutilating, demeaning efforts aren't enough, don't forget Photoshop! Perhaps this leads to the third and most destructive lie; You will never be good enough. Of course you might get close if you give us all your money subjecting yourself to the above mentioned. But no one can Photoshop your daily human interactions, so... sorry sista! You're out of luck. And worthless. And you'll be lucky to get married. If you do get married, adopt children (don't ruin your all important body) and you had better find that fountain of youth, or your husband will be embarrassed by you, unsatisfied with you, and leave you for a younger prettier woman.

This brings me to the second lie which is equally saddening. I've definitely sat through plenty of self pitying conversations where girls complain that if guys would just stop being so shallow, and objectifying, we girls wouldn't feel the need to dress immodestly to be heard. Well stop with the pity party ladies because when we reduce all men to the role of lustful chauvinists, we are just as guilty of degrading them. We can't say we'll start being modest when guys start seeing us for who we are, because there will always be another guy who has yet to learn that lesson.

Instead, start today by focusing on the positive. There are great men every where capable of respect and love. These bodies are miraculous blessings that we should be grateful for. We should do everything we can to take care of our bodies. But don't forget the reason you were given that body in the first place. Don't be so obsessed with making your appearance as beautiful as possible that you forget your purpose. We have temples, and their grounds are absolutely beautiful. But we don't go there to enjoy the gardens outside, we go because there is work to be done inside.

Avant Garde

Just in case you are like me (up until a recent college class) and you don't know what avant garde means, my title probably doesn't make much sense. So, I will explain.

Visual Arts

When developments in technology began taking the world by a storm, and people could get a realistic picture faster and cheaper than hiring a painter, artists were either put out of business or they had to get creative. Thanks to great innovative minds like Vincent Van Gogh and Picasso, it became clear that art is not just about portraying reality, but expressing an essence, an emotion.  At first they were rejected. It was a big risk to create something that critics would say looked messy, disproportionate, and required no skill. But thanks to their grand vision, and pioneering genius, they have changed art forever. Avant Garde is a french term that means "advance guard. "

Music

Stravinsky's premiere of the "Rite of Spring" caused a violent riot. He created a masterpiece that used primitive rhythms and new harmonies to powerfully evoke a broader spectrum of emotions than music had ever explored before. To me, being Avant Garde means being brave. It means going against the cultural norms in favor of a bigger picture, a deeper meaning.

Paradox

Avant Garde means new and revolutionary, not old. However, in a way, each of these examples were taking old things and applying them in a new way.  Unrealistic art was "old" news. It was something every untalented artist could create, right?  The beautiful revolutionary idea comes when you realize these paintings ability to do something intangible within the viewer. It evokes emotions, inspires thought, enlightens us to a deeper appreciation and understanding of the world we live in. An artist isn't someone who can slap some paint on a canvas and make you think "that's a table."  An artist is someone who can slap some paint on a canvas and make you feel, make you experience life outside your realm of exposure.

When Stravinsky used complex primitive rhythms, and dissonant harmonies that caused feelings of distress, fear, anger, and confusion, people thought he had gone nuts. Dissonance is what happens when two young instrumentalists can't play in tune, right? Dissonance is what happens when the composer accidentally writes down the wrong note. Complex rhythms are what happen when the percussion section isn't together. Is it all a big mistake? Is this new and revolutionary, or just old fashioned ugly music. Well, I think it's both.

There was a study about sad music, and how it actually produces happy emotions in listeners. I believe there is a healing power in a piece of music that can perfectly describe exactly how you felt during a difficult trial. But when we limit music to what is prim and proper, it is like life without opposition. Without sadness, you cannot appreciate happiness. Without tension, there is no relief. There is something inexplicably powerful about the way a piece of music has the ability to mourn with those that mourn, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort.

What does all this have to do with my blog?

Moving Forward By Moving Back

There are a lot of old fashioned ideals that I want to return to. I think they held within them the key to experiencing life in a more meaningful and fulfilling way. Good old fashioned virtue, hard work, decency, respect for others, modesty, religious fervor, strong marriages and families. These are the old fashioned ideals I enjoy writing about, and living for.