Hillary Clinton, A Real Life “Fantastic Feminist Doll”
This a picture of Joanne’s Mcqueen’s original sketch of the Fantastic Feminist. Some would argue that this sketch of a doll is not what a doll should look like in other words its not what a hero should look like either. They would argue that a doll should teach girls how they should act, what there roles are in society and how they should look. Toys have always been very gendered. For instance, boys always played with trucks, legos, and sport equipment. Girls were then expected to play with toys that alluded to their future gender roles, such as dolls and pretend kitchens. Dolls were always super feminine and beautiful, as a girl that played with dolls when I was little, I always strived be like my doll. For instance, I had a barbie was blonde and beautiful and had a cute little flight attendant outfit on with blue high heels. We also had the barbie plane which set the scene perfectly for when I would play. I remember wanting to be a flight attendant when I was older, I also wanted to be a teacher or a fashionista because that is what Barbie was.
When we have constantly seen certain genders associated with certain professions in the media and even portrayed in our toys it is hard for people to have different views. Joanne’s idea for the fantastic feminist doll was to have the first non-gender specific doll for children to play with. If a lot of children were exposed to this doll they would get the impression that girls can also be heroes. They would learn that girls are strong, and can be whoever they want to be. They don’t have to have the “certain look” to be any profession or hero that they wanted to be.
On the topic, of having the correct “look” for certain professions and genders. Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, has been scrutinized for not having the “presidential look” from many people and most reported from, Donald Trump. In the past the “presidential look” has been a white male about 60 years of age. Then President Obama earned his presidency and became the first black man to be president of the united states. This contradicted the defined “presidential look” but still somewhat fit the male aspect of the look. It time for a change, its time for a woman to be a president, people need to learn that their is no “presidential look”, anyone who is prepared, smart and ready to run our country can be our president. The fantastic feminist doll was the start to this revolution of contradicting stereotypes and socially constructed gender roles, Hillary Clinton is this doll in the flesh. When she wins she will show young girls that they too can be president one day and anyone who they want to be.
Monday, October 3, 2016