Before you stone me, a guy, for writing about feminism, I want to say that I am a guy, and no, I don't know what it's like to be oppressed as a female.
However, I grew up around strong, self-reliant women and have great respect for them. I've seen them mistreated and unable to even accomplish simple feats like getting their car transmission changed without some sort of horrid sexist remark from a man (regardless of their demonstrated superb knowledge of a working engine.)
I am also aware of the immense sexism that exists in the entertainment industry. However, instead of focusing on the negatives of the industry, I want to focus on some of the positive roles that are encouraging women to enter into the sciences, military and engineering fields.
These sci fi figures are my heroes, not because they are wafer-thin models with more plastic than barbie, but because the characters are written as strong, intelligent and capable women who do not trip on their own heels, faint at the sign of aliens, or scream every time something happens.
Star TrekStar Trek has been an immense pioneer of changing the way American society views women. Gene Rodenberry cast his wife Majel as "Number One," the incredibly intelligent second officer of a huge starship. The network execs literally told Gene the show would not be made with a female in control of the ship.
Gene did something better. He cast an African-American female as the communications bridge officer, and fourth in command. He continued to place female Admirals, captains and officers in the mix until after his death, when Star Trek cast the first female Captain (Kate Mulgrew) to head the Voyager series. Other strong females in the Trek shows include Jadzia Dax, Kira Nerys, Doctor Crusher, Guinan, B'elanna Torres, as well as a slew of recurring and guest stars.
Stargate: SG1Stargate was also very interesting, because it cast Amanda Tapping as Colonel Sam Carter. She was a soldier, and one of the most brilliant minds on the planet. Throughout the series, she was one of the most intelligent people on the team, having to tone down her general way of speaking to a more basic level for her male counterparts.
This wasn't a sense of arrogance as much as it was a demonstration of her abilities. Amanda Tapping has noted many times at Conventions when women would approach her and tell her that they went into the sciences, engineering and the military because of her role as Colonel Carter. Stargate: Atlantis featured not only a female lead role with Dr. Elizabeth Weir (a former UN diplomat) but later promoted Amanda Tapping's role to lead of the series.
Hunger GamesThe most fascinating aspect of the Hunger Games was the lead protagonist who is a strong female whose entire reason for participation in the horrific post-apocalyptic Olympic event is to save her sister's life. When the movie was made, Jennifer Lawrence was cast, and she became strong for the part, not thin.
Jennifer often says that she is "fat" according to Hollywood standards, but any skinny Disney channel star would not have been believable in that role, because for Katniss to be a real character for audiences to connect with, she had to be athletic like an olympic athlete, and not display the usual 'come hither' attitudes many young stars now portray.
I may not have experienced the sexism that the females in my family have, but I know injustice when I see it, and I am very happy that my kids will grow up having these figures on science fiction to show them that both men and women are capable of great things and gender doesn't have to be an issue.
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