I’m really excited to continue watching the movie in class tomorrow. I think that so far the film is very interesting. It really focuses on a lot of different aspects. I feel like in a lot of what we’ve covered in class so far, the question of woman as a nurturer or as independent has been the main topic. I am eager to see how race now plays into this as well. Since I have never seen the movie before, I am also curious to see if Minnie’s relationship with her husband heightens. When we left class the other day, we saw her being abused by her husband, but that was it. I am wondering how, and if, we will see how Minnie eventually handles the abusive relationship that she has with her husband.

Sam

I really enjoyed the conversation we had the other day in class about the stereotypes surrounding single parents. To take this a step further though, I’m also wondering how this relates to race. Women already presumably “made a mistake” when they are seen as single parents. Does the judgment increase further depending on race? I think the answer is yes. In films we are shown time and time again that women in different races and cultures are discriminated against. However, men are looked at as a heroes. They are the powerful father who stepped up to the plate in order to care for their child. Why is it that we have this double standard in our society?

One of the questions we posed today in class was whether it would be possible or not to create a feminist film. After hearing some of the points brought up in class today, I’d have to say the answer is no, and if yes, then it would be very difficult. The reason for my belief is based off of a double standard that exists among the female population. When women are looked at one way, they are automatically criticized and questioned for not being a different way. An example of this is as follows. Let’s say you make a feminist film. The lead female character is strong, independent, and self-sufficient. Because of the way society is “coded” we will have a problem with this portrayal. “Why isn’t she allowed to be sexually free? Why does she have to be independent and without a man in order to be successful?” These are some of the questions that would follow. Furthermore there is another side to this. Now you make a feminist film, but the female is free, not tied down to one man, and not afraid to use what she has to get where she wants to be. Now the questions will be turned more into statements. “She’s a (fill in the blank here) slut, bimbo, etc.

Sam Potoczak