Feminism in 2018

Although feminism is a concept that has been around since the 17th century and was concerned with basic equality issues such as voting, economic and legal rights for women it has now expanded into a movement which encompasses all forms of activism concerning women and equality. Many have dubbed 2018 as ‘The Year of Feminism’. However with increased media coverage surrounding feminism, are we now loosing what it means to actually be a feminist? 

It can be argued that increased awareness within popular culture of such important causes such as wage equality can only be a positive; ‘In the last half century, the movement for gender equality has faced setbacks in accomplishing its ultimate goal’ (Callahan, 2018). By mainstreaming the topic it should mean that the conversation is happening and as such change will happen, however the word 'feminism' is rarely associated with the causes that it represents, within the media. 'In the articles she studied, discussions of feminism were often either ‘defensive’, designed to rescue feminism from ‘negative stereotypes’, or show a ‘noticeable shift towards the “lifestyling” of feminism’; more focused on, say, whether botox or baking can be a feminist activity than on large-scale social or structural issues such as the economy or reporting on collective feminist activism' (Aune and Redfern, 2013). 

A recent example of how the media can dilute the feminism cause can be seen in the ‘#timesup’ movement’s recent stunt whereby the actors and actresses of Hollywood shunned any form of colour at the on the red carpet at the Golden Globes and instead wore black to show their solidarity with the victims of sexual assault, especially since the recent revelations of Harvey Weinstein; ‘Allegations against Harvey Weinstein have prompted wider testimony about the endemic sexual harassment and violence afflicting women in many industries and in private spheres’ (Mayer, 2018). However how effective was this form of expression? 

Although it made headlines and got people talking, it was the narrative of those headlines that really took away from the cause itself. A few examples of these headlines included; ‘As long as it’s black: Golden Globes red carpet goes dark’ (Irish Times, 2018), ‘Here Come The Women In Black’ (Vogue, 2018),  'Hollywood, Black Looks Good On You’ (Refinery 29, 2018) and ‘11 shades of black on the Golden Globes red carpet’ (The Strauits Times, 2018). Although these all elude to the cause and mention it in the body of the article, it takes away from what these women and men are trying to achieve. In the build up to the red carpet many were reporting on the problems that the designers and stylists were facing with the dress code; ‘But so popular is the show of support for hundreds of victims of abuse that stylists around Hollywood are tearing their hair out. It seems there just aren't enough black outfits to go round’ (Telegraph, 2018). Due to these narratives it can be argued that although it raised awareness for the cause, due to the media’s perception and reporting on feminist issues it was not as successful as it could have been and using the medium of clothing and fashion acted as a distraction, which further exasperates the problem with the media in regard to the feminist movement. 

Bibliography: 

Callahan, I. (2018). Book Review: Gender in the Twenty-First Century: The Stalled Revolution and the Road to Equality Edited by Shannon N. Davis, Sarah Winslow, and 

David J. Maume. Gender & Society, Gender & Society, 2018.

Irish Times. 2018. As long as it’s black: Golden Globes red carpet goes dark. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/as-long-as-it-s-black-golden-globes-red-carpet-goes-dark-1.3348272. [Accessed 19 February 2018].


Mayer, C. (2018). The Diary. New Statesman, 147(5403), 21.

Redfern, C., & Aune, K. (2013). Reclaiming the F word: Feminism today. London and New York. Zed Books.

Refinery 29. 2018. Hollywood, Black Looks Good On You. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.refinery29.uk/2018/01/187184/golden-globes-2018-red-carpet-best-dressed. [Accessed 19 February 2018].

The Straits Times. 2018. 11 shades of black on the Golden Globes red carpet. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/11-shades-of-black-on-the-red-carpet. [Accessed 19 February 2018].

Vogue. 2018. Here Come The Women In Black. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.vogue.co.uk/article/black-dresses-at-the-2018-golden-globes. [Accessed 19 February 2018].