Activity #4 - A girl like me

In chapter two of Women’s Voices Feminist Vision the mythical norm is defined as a standard that all women are compared; “white, middle-class, heterosexual, abled, thin, and young” (pg. 60). Women that deviate from the “norm” are considered different, strange, outsiders. Whether or not we realize it, this ideal norm is embedded into almost everyone’s mind. It’s easy to recognize these factors when one’s own image varies from the norm. Typically people can sense and grasps that they are being judged against because of a particular aspect of their image or culture, but it’s exponentially harder for the same people to recognize the advantages certain image and cultural aspects grant them. The ironic part is that no one truly fits the mythical norm, and why would anyone want to?

Culture, society, and the media all impact a person’s lifestyle, self image, and self esteem. These aspects sadly instead of using their power to create positive images, succumb to contributing to the mythical norm. The implantation of the mythical norm in people starts at an extremely early age. Think about the toy industry: Barbie is a beyond ideal thin, white, female. Four-year-olds play and start to compare themselves to a toy that they will never be able to resemble. Even Disney movies that try to teach moral lessons and good behavior support the ideal female image. When has anyone seen a black Disney Princess? When these ideals are placed inside children it alters their own self image, especially among the non-whites. In the film African-American children were asked to choose between a black doll and a white doll. A shocking majority chose the white doll, even though it did not resemble them. Clearly this shows a concerning possibility; the children have learned that there is a difference in skin tones, and that this difference has higher importance than just appearance. The white doll is “better” and “prettier” because that is the way society treats white children over black children. This deviation in fairness among children due to race can cause lasting harm to non-white children’s self worth. This decrease in self worth only goes on to enhance the superiority of white children. Chapter two also mentions a concept called horizontal hostility. This is when people who feel that they are in a lower status will take their frustration out on people within their status range or even lower. By creating lower self esteem in children, these children will grow up to be adults that continue to enforce the belief system.

Can one’s skin color, hair texture, nose shape, or any other physical aspect determine their character, intelligence, or value? Absolutely not. Peggy McIntosh lists all the ways that being white has helped her in her life. It’s shocking to think that certain life tasks and goals are made easier just because of one’s skin color. White privileges are everywhere if you stop to look at them. Applying for loans, shopping at certain stores, passing through airport checking stations are all statistically easier if you are white. White men and women are more likely to be hired for top positions. Just because someone is white with smooth hair does that make them smarter than someone with tight curls and a darker skin pigment? When the girls in the video started to talk about skin bleaching systems and hair relaxers I was a bit disturbed. What sort of world do we live in where people would want to bleach away their beautiful skin tone? With lighter skin would they be a different person? I would hope not. Skin has nothing to do with the brain and the heart, but from a social standpoint it is a leading characteristic. It all leads back to the mythical norm and white privilege. The closer one is to the ideal man/woman the better their life will be. I appreciated the girls in the movie talking so freely about how their lives have been affected. I have noticed that although racism has been inappropriate among many Americans, it still resides inside many unnoticed. My sister has two beautiful biracial children, but I have witnessed on more than one occasion typically white women approach her and tell her how wonder if is that she adopted. While these ladies believe themselves to be granted a complement to a young mother, they are actually insulting her choice of family and lifestyle. My sister has to then explain that her children are not adopted, but biological. That though they do have their father’s skin pigment and textured hair, if you look closely they have her eyes, mouth, and nose. It is almost as if the mythical norm is now taking on more aspects and a new shape with the growing and evolving society. It’s a scary thought to have to face, but as long as everyone keeps celebrating their differences and self image then maybe we can break the mythical norm.