Racialized Images of Women: Femininity, Beauty, Maternity, Sexuality - Essay Example

Last First Lecturers no. Racialized images of women: femininity, beauty, maternity, sexuality INTRODUCTION In the contemporary era, the status and portrayal of women have changed considerably. Gender biases and racial discrimination among women have also seen a major shift in the present day context. Women are no more portrayed as an object and are racialized on the basis of their color, in contrast to the scenario prevalent in the early ages. Women today have their own identity irrespective of the race and color. In this context, it can be stated that the physical appearances of individuals plays a strong role in influencing the behavior of strangers and opposite sex. It is perceived that attractive appearances of people tend to portray them as leading their life in a healthier and happier manner. Moreover, the perception that prevails throughout irrespective of gender or race is that “what is beautiful is good” (Cheng 1). This aspect or thinking of people has created a negative impact such that people, who are unattractive face teasing because of their appearances or color. It was believed that people with physical attractiveness were supposed to have positive thoughts as compared to other people. This aspect of physical appearances has influenced the social outlook of people. In this context, as per the American culture even today physical attractiveness is given importance, in order to seek women’s gender expectation as well as identity in comparison to men. Women appearances are regarded as a social determinant in order to provide them with employment and social desirability as well as consider them at a hierarchical position (Cheng 1-122). This aspect even prevails in the present day, which influences women to be more attentive regarding their looks and presentation. In this study, the paper intends to evaluate the importance of physical appearances, colors and body image of women. The paper also intends to elaborate the concept of femininity, beauty, maternity and sexuality based on the racialized images of women. DISCUSSION White American and African American women were treated differently based on their color and physical appearances. It is observed that white women are classified as beautiful on the basis of their body images and are treated as an object rather than as a strong individuality. Contextually, it can be stated that women since past decades have been oppressed by men due to gender biases. Women were regarded as sexual objects all through however, discrimination based on the complexion was prominent within the race. It was observed that beauties of women specifically from the white Americans were portrayed in media in the earlier era for depicting sexual pleasure of males. However, this image of women has changed during the early 90’s where women portrayed them as strong individuals but not as an object (Pyke and Johnson 33-53). Moreover, according to the theory of feminist, the power structure of women have changed but on the basis of color. As per this theory of feminist, woman achieved position in the society based on their color and normative behavior. It was observed that white upper class women were provided with high ideologies based on their complexion than the black or dark complexioned women. On the other hand, African American was dominated largely and failed to gain a strong position in the society. The feminist movement also faced racial discrimination based on the aspects of color and appearances. The first facet of feminist movement was majorly concerned on developing the perception of people in terms of appearances of women. The foremost aim of the feminist activist during the initial years was to portray a woman in a sophisticated manner through proper clothing as well as grooming instead of being a mere sexual object. However, it was during this phase the activists witnessed that black women were given less importance as compared to their white counterparts. This factor reveals on the different aspects related with racial images of women. According to Pyke and Johnson (1-122) during the feminist movement, women were discriminated on the basis of their racial images as well as complexions. White women were portrayed to be superior as compared to others. This perception of people did not change with the development of women in the society, which affected the position of women on the basis of their racial images. It was observed that the perception of women in the society was changing over the years however, white women were given more priority as compared to others. During the early years of 90’s women used their beauty to authorize their hold on the commercial world. Even today, women portray their intelligence with beauty irrespective of color and participation in the world pageants. This not only provides them with self-esteem as well as respect but make their country proud in the global platform (Pyke and Johnson 33-53). Today in the 21st century, perception of women and perception towards women have changed immensely. Women today are not only seen as a maternity figure but also as a strong individual with power and authority. It can be stated it this regard, that women in the Victorian era were treated like slaves and were thought to be one who could only give birth to another life. The women in the yester years were treated in a very negative manner and often considered objects having no power or authority in the society. Their beauty was portrayed in a negative sense as they were being used for the sexual pleasure of male. However, due to the evolution of feminist movement, the above perception about women has changed considerably. In this context, it can be witnessed that cultural and racial discrimination was largely faced by women within the present global domain (Pyke and Johnson 33-53). Based on their color and complexions White American was noted to be given more priority than African American. However, today the perception of women and the attitude of people towards women have changed to a considerable extent in terms of the different needs of development and maintaining an effective domain of sustainability. Today women portray their beauty and sexuality in a respectful manner in front of the world irrespective of color. The portrayal of women through social media has also changed as women are now portrayed as a strong individual with self-esteem and dignity. Beauty with brain is what women are addressed in the present day context. A black woman is considered beautiful on the basis of her attitude, identity and intelligence and not based on their physical appearances. Beauty is not based on color or cultural aspects in the present day context. When talking about the black women it is important to state that, “black women became the embodiment of sexual enticement and pathology” (Bowdre 8). This was not the only case that black women were treated in a negative manner whereas White women were portrayed as a feminist figure. The opinion and attitude towards the black women and their status was denigrated due to their race. However, the things were changing for good white men were getting attracted towards black women and this was regarded as a paradox. This fact was creating disruption in the families of white. Black female body was now being given status in the society as a human and not a slave. Contextually, with the changing norms and with the help of feminist movement African American women were being position as equal to the white women. The portrayal of black women was previously done in a negative manner. It was even believed that owing to their complexions they had no sexual appeal nor have any integrity in the society. Furthermore, black women were considered as savages and not human. This was due to the improper portrayal related with cultural and racial images of women. However, with time the perception about women irrespective of color changed for the betterment of society (Bowdre 2-14). Women portrayal changed since 19th century as beauty was now not defined on the basis of color but on talent and attitude. Black women were being considered as the main protagonist in the theatre irrespective of their color. Both white and black women are now portrayed on a same platform and treated with equal amount of self-respect (Bowdre 2-14). In “Girls” produced by Lena Dunham is a television sequel that has raised a view against concept of portrayal of women in a far more sophisticated way. In the television series, the producer has come up with the views that being a girl are far more prominent and natural way how they actually look. Furthermore, the sequel even portrayed women in a less un-groomed manner and in less presentable way. This reflected that the girls or women are often not accepted in the way they naturally are full-waxed bodies and slimy physique are far better accepted than the un-groomed women that naturally look like (Home Box Office, Inc., 2015). CONCLUSION Women today are no more seen as an object but are represented with strong identity. The differences in women based on their color were observed in the earlier years where black complexioned women were seen as a savage. They were regarded as slaves as they were not attractive. Furthermore, these women were also often secluded from the society and lacked social dignity. Even during the feminist movement, white women were portrayed in a more prominent manner than the black women. However, today women are treated as strong individuals irrespective of racial images as well as complexions. Works Cited Bowdre, Karen Michelle. Racial Mythologies: African American Female Images and Representation from Minstrelsy to the Studio Era. USA: ProQuest, 2006. Print. Cheng, Pei-Han. “Examining a Sociocultural Model: Racial Identity, Internalization of the Dominant White Beauty Standards, and Body Images among Asian American Women.” Columbia University (2014): 1-122. Print. “Girls.” Home Box Office, Inc. Media, 2015. Web. 12 Apr 2015. Pyke, Karen D. and Johnson, Denise L. “Asian American Women and Racialized Femininities “Doing” Gender across Cultural Worlds.” Gender & Society (2003): 33-53. Print. Read More