Buzzfeed
What do you see when you look at this photo below? A beautiful woman from a foreign country, or a white woman with a strong spray tan and a head scarf?
Apparently, the authors of this BuzzFeed post, entitled "47 Stunning Photographs Of People From Around the World," found it difficult to distinguish between the two. However, if you were to look at the post now, you would not see this photo occupying the number one spot on the list. After commenters on the article pointed out the faux-pas, the author replaced the photo with one of a girl whose original skin color had not been altered.
This incident represents the risk that arises when a "social news and entertainment company" starts to produce feel good/uplifting/inspirational content in addition to its usual stream of amusing and harmless content. Photo montages that showcase diversity in terms of skin tone and/or other physical attributes are inherently controversial in the first place. There is always the potential for fetishizing, gawking, and romanticizing, creating an even deeper divide between "us" and the "other." However, I understand the intention behind these posts: to promote the beauty of all human beings and challenge the western ideals of beauty. In this case, though, the photo that was meant to challenge such standards ended up being a photo that took these standards to the extreme.
This BuzzFeed quiz also provides a glimpse into the problems that can arise when an entertainment-based website decides to delve into pseudo-activism.
This incident represents the risk that arises when a "social news and entertainment company" starts to produce feel good/uplifting/inspirational content in addition to its usual stream of amusing and harmless content. Photo montages that showcase diversity in terms of skin tone and/or other physical attributes are inherently controversial in the first place. There is always the potential for fetishizing, gawking, and romanticizing, creating an even deeper divide between "us" and the "other." However, I understand the intention behind these posts: to promote the beauty of all human beings and challenge the western ideals of beauty. In this case, though, the photo that was meant to challenge such standards ended up being a photo that took these standards to the extreme.
This BuzzFeed quiz also provides a glimpse into the problems that can arise when an entertainment-based website decides to delve into pseudo-activism.
First, let me acknowledge the positive aspects of this quiz. By boiling down feminism to the equality of men and women, this quiz removes the countless negative stereotypes and stigma associated with the word and movement. Its stark simplicity is striking and powerful, but also potentially problematic.
The first problem arises from the use of "equality" in the defining statement. Although I may not believe in the complete equality of men and women, I do believe in the equality of opportunities and access to resources of men and women. However, as I've argued in the past, gender equality is not enough. We must also practice gender equity. According to the United Nations Population Fund, "gender equity is the process of being fair to women and men." Thus, while gender equality is an issue of access, gender equity is an issue of fairness. It would not be fair to assume that both genders have the exact same needs, desires, histories, and experiences. Practicing equity means striving "to compensate for women’s historical and social disadvantages that prevent women and men from otherwise operating on a level playing field." Ultimately, "equity leads to equality."
Now, let's bring these concepts back to my critiques of the aforementioned BuzzFeed quiz:
1. It imposes the "feminist" label on everyone who selected "yes," without taking into consideration the personal choice to identify as such.
2. Believing in gender equality =/= feminism, in my humble opinion. Feminism exists because there is still change to be made. One can believe in equality, but fail to see the inequality that still exists, and the need for progress.
3. It oversimplifies the motivation behind feminism via ambiguous wording.
4. It guilts individuals into selecting "yes."
5. Although trivial, the pink background invokes the stereotype that feminism is an issue that is pertinent to only women.
BuzzFeed has the potential to reach more than 130 million individuals. As Voltaire stated, "with great power comes great responsibility." With such a large audience to influence, BuzzFeed needs to take its job more seriously and ensure that its potential does not go misguided.
The first problem arises from the use of "equality" in the defining statement. Although I may not believe in the complete equality of men and women, I do believe in the equality of opportunities and access to resources of men and women. However, as I've argued in the past, gender equality is not enough. We must also practice gender equity. According to the United Nations Population Fund, "gender equity is the process of being fair to women and men." Thus, while gender equality is an issue of access, gender equity is an issue of fairness. It would not be fair to assume that both genders have the exact same needs, desires, histories, and experiences. Practicing equity means striving "to compensate for women’s historical and social disadvantages that prevent women and men from otherwise operating on a level playing field." Ultimately, "equity leads to equality."
Now, let's bring these concepts back to my critiques of the aforementioned BuzzFeed quiz:
1. It imposes the "feminist" label on everyone who selected "yes," without taking into consideration the personal choice to identify as such.
2. Believing in gender equality =/= feminism, in my humble opinion. Feminism exists because there is still change to be made. One can believe in equality, but fail to see the inequality that still exists, and the need for progress.
3. It oversimplifies the motivation behind feminism via ambiguous wording.
4. It guilts individuals into selecting "yes."
5. Although trivial, the pink background invokes the stereotype that feminism is an issue that is pertinent to only women.
BuzzFeed has the potential to reach more than 130 million individuals. As Voltaire stated, "with great power comes great responsibility." With such a large audience to influence, BuzzFeed needs to take its job more seriously and ensure that its potential does not go misguided.