My song that I would like to add to out classes feminist mixtape is Ne-Yo’s song titled “Miss Independent”. In the song, Ne-Yo is singing about a beautiful woman who seems to also have her life together and is able to take care of herself. In the song, Ne-Yo is singing about a beautiful woman who seems to also have her life together and is able to take care of herself. This ties back to what I learned about feminism because if I am not mistaken, a key vocal point of modern feminism is the independence of women all around the world
In the song, one of Ne-Yo’s lyrics states, “Cause she walk like a boss, talk like a boss”, these lyrics from the song places a woman in a light of being what Ne-Yo refers to as a “boss” meaning that she is clearly very powerful and possesses abilities to reach heights that woman have not typically been prone to reach due to their history of being discriminated against and seen as lesser than a man. Another lyric from the song “Miss Independent” states, “Kind a woman that wants you but don’t need you”, this lyric from he song exemplifies this woman Ne-yo speaks of to be so into her independence that yes, she can want you to be with her, but she does not need you to be there for any kind of support other than to be in a relationship with you.
I believe this song can speak volumes to the feminist culture and put a light on women’s independence and gaining a role to where women are not being seen as weak or lesser than a man. So in conclusion, “Miss Independent” by Ne-Yo would be an excellent addition to our Feminist Mixtape.
I decided to take part in the No-Product Day Challenge where I willingly chose not to use any of my daily products that are typically a part of my daily routine before I leave my dorm for class. When I first heard of this challenge I had many reactions. My first reaction was understandably, “What? These people are crazy if they think I am leaving my dorm with no hair products or deodorant”. Another reaction I had was that the challenge actually seemed pretty easy to do and that no one would even notice if I did the challenge so at that moment I decided to try it.
My normal enhancing products that I typically use are deodorant of course, then things like my facial cream, lotion, and oil for my hair to keep it moisturized along with a mousse to better hold the curls in my hair. I use these products because they are what I do to take care of hair and skin but also because I want my appearance to be presentable for people to see. I did indeed go without all of my usual products and while it did feel weird to forgo using any of my usual products, it was honestly mostly freeing for me. At first I was a little bit worried about how people would look at me or if they could smell I wasn;t wearing deodorant, But honestly after getting no noticeable reactions from people, the challenge felt much easier.
The deodorant was definitely the hardest for me to go without, it was extremely challenging to not worry about smelling bad without reassurance from the layer of deodorant I usually have on. My hair product was definitely the easiest thing to go without, some days I just get lazy or forget to put it in my hair anyways so, this was pretty easy to live without. When I was ready to leave this morning, I kept thinking to myself that I forgot to do all these things and that I wasn’t presentable for the outside world just yet. I was surprised to receive no reactions from the people around me, I thought more people noticed when I didn’t do part of my daily routine, but to see that I barely did half of it and no one seems to notice was astonishing to me. I genuinely expected everyone in the class to turn and all eyes to be on me as if everyone was either judging me for looking uglier or telling me that I smelled awful because I wasn’t wearing deodorant. I learned that you don’t need a whole bunch of products and a whole bunch of extra stuff to make you look good, but I will be going back to using deodorant.
As a nineteen year old living in America, I enjoy watching different shows and movies that appear on platforms such as Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Prime Video, etc. I am a huge fan of shows such as Stranger Things, The Boys, Arrow, Never Have I Ever, just to name a few. All of these shows were appealing to me whether it was for the plot of the show, the many different twists, or even the action pack thrill. But one show in particular that I can say has had a huge impact on more than just myself is the HBO groundbreaking show Euphoria. Euphoria, created by Sam Levinson, is an astonishing series that delves into the complexities of adolescence through lenses such as gender and sexuality. The show’s vivid portrayal of these themes reflects contemporary societal issues while also using them to highlight the struggles that the characters face because of them. Jules Vaughn, portrayed by transgender actress Hunter Schafer, is a huge representation of all these different themes throughout the HBO series. Jules’ character challenges traditional norms of gender identity while offering a nuanced perspective on sexual fluidity.
Jules Vaughn
Jules embodies a fluid approach to gender, consistently defying many conventional binary definitions and norms. Things such as her fashion choices, behavior, and many different interactions illustrate a personal journey of self-discovery that transcends societal expectations. The series presents her grappling with her own internal conflicts and external pressures, particularly around femininity.
Through many of Jules’ relationships, especially hers with Rue Bennett portrayed by actress Zendaya, Jules expresses a desire for authentic connection and love, highlighting that emotional intimacy often supersedes rigid gender roles. Her character challenges stereotypes by presenting gender as a spectrum rather than being a fixed identity. This representation is extremely significant, as it showcases a deep understanding of transgender experiences, struggles and desires, all while encouraging viewers to reconsider the limitations many individuals and social groups have imposed on gender norms and roles.
Rue Bennett
Euphoria presents a wide range of sexual identities and uses them to highlight the fluidity and complexity of adolescent sexuality. Different characters throughout the series navigate their desires in certain ways that are able to push boundaries and challenge typical societal norms. One of the main characters Jules, in particular a transgender female, embodies the role of a non-binary sexuality, showcasing the challenges and joys of discovering one’s self and identity in a world that typically demands conformity. Characters like Jules presented me with an idea that topics such as sexuality were going to be growing and explored in public media outlets due to the fact that the series refusing to shy away from many of the darker aspects of sexual exploration, such as manipulation and trauma, as it is shown in many different character’s experiences.
The series used many different relationships that some viewers would describe as disturbing, to highlight the many different sexual structures and the defiance to conform to what was seen as “normal” In the very first episode of the first season, Jules is meeting up with a man on an online dating site with the screen name “dominant daddy”. It turns out the man was Cal Jacobs, a married man with two sons, with one of them being one of Jules’ classmates. This was very disturbing to watch progress throughout the series as it led into a downward spiral for Cal and the relationship between his family. But I do believe this was the first showing of how much fluidity Jules had in her sexual orientation as it was seen later that season in episode 7, she goes into the city to see one of her good friends and ends up sleeping with a woman named Anna. This helps the series compile the portrayal that Jules’ exploration of her sexuality further complicates her character, unveiling a rich tapestry of desire that includes both men and women. Her bisexuality challenges the binary narratives often seen in media, illustrating that equal attraction can be both diverse and multifaceted.
Jules’ relationship with Rue served as a critical focal point, illustrating the intertwining of love, vulnerability, and emotional dependency. The series captures the highs and the extremely low lows of their bond, emphasizing the impact of personal struggles such as Rue’s addiction problem and many mental health issues. This relationship helps showcase that sexuality can be deeply intertwined with individual experiences and social contexts, highlighting the complex nature of love and attraction.
Overall, I believe it can be said that Jules’ character in Euphoria well represented a vital examination of gender and sexuality, challenging the many viewers of the series to embrace complexity and things outside of societal norms. Her journey throughout the series not only represents the challenges faced by transgender individuals but also invites a broader conversation about the diverse nature of sexual identity. By pushing the boundaries of traditional representations, Jules becomes a significant figure in contemporary media, showcasing that media companies are recognizing that times are changing every single day and thus must be represented as well.
Jules Vaughn
