This compilation of MuchNews stories, hosted by George Stromboulopoulos, examines three questions: 
a) Are current female artists comfortable with the Feminist Movement?
b) Is Toronto’s anti-postering by-law a threat to democracy? and
c) Is Nike’s Presto Exhibit community art or thinly-disguised marketing?

Other MuchMusic Cable in the Classroom videos and study guides that complement this episode of the New Music are Girl Power and The Big Tease: Female Images.

 
A. Are current female artists comfortable with the Feminist Movement?

1. “Many women today refuse to identify themselves with the word Feminism because of the negative stereotypes that they feel are attached to it; others are proud of what Feminists have done to make this place a better world.”  George Stromboulopoulos

In small groups, discuss the following questions, then compare and discuss your answers:
- What does ‘Feminism’ mean?
- What might be the ‘negative stereotypes’ of Feminism?
- How have Feminists made ‘this place a better world?’
- Why might female artists want to be considered Feminists?  Why might they avoid the Feminist label?

2. “I don't consider myself a Feminist because I put humanity first.”
 - How are Feminism and Humanism different?
 - How might being a Feminist put humanity second?

3. Britney Spears is shown promoting the movie Crossroads.  She states that she is a Feminist and that “Girls rock.”  Is “Girls rock” a Feminist statement?  Why or why not?

Do you consider Britney Spears a Feminist?  Why or why not?

Madonna and The Spice Girls are female artists whose influences on teen females was hotly debated.  Research these artists to discover the similarities and differences between the controversies they created and those that are surrounding Britney Spears.

4. While Sarah Harmer is speaking, we see black and white images of the women's rights movement – marches, voting, etc.  When do you think these photos were taken?  What was the status of women during this time?  In what way is the status of women the same now as it was at that time?

5. “We want to see 'meninism.'”

Is it time for a men’s revolution?  In what ways are males oppressed?  How might males benefit from a revolution?  In what ways might females benefit from 'meninism?’

If there were a men’s revolution, what would it look like?  Who would participate?  What might be the outcome?

6. We see definitions of Feminism from both celebrity interviews and streeters (persons-on-the-street).  How do these definitions differ?  How careful/constructed do the celebrities seem in their responses compared to the streeters?  Why might celebrities have to be very careful about their responses to the question, “What is Feminism?”

7. Kathleen, from Le Tigre, finds a significant absence of men in punk music.  Research to discover if there are few or no women in punk music, or if the recording industry has ignored the female artists.  How might more representation of female punk artists help Feminism?  How might it influence punk music?

8. Peaches speaks while clothed in a bathtub.  She explains that, “I have to set the precedent.”  How is Peaches helping the Feminist movement by speaking from a bathtub?

9. We see many clips from music videos.  Which clips support Feminism? Which don't? Why? 

Suggest some OTHER videos that also support Feminism, and the specific moments from within those videos that might have been added to this MuchNews episode.

10. “If you're a woman in the rock industry, you have to represent.” George Stromboulopoulos

Is it a fair expectation that all female artists must represent women?  Why can’t they just represent themselves?  Do all male artists represent men?  Why or why not?

Do you think most artists think about whether or not they are favourably representing their sex, or are they just creating artistic expressions?  Why might it be important for artists to consider what they represent?

11. “I think we're redefining not only feminism but femininity.”  Nelly Furtado

In small groups, develop what the new definitions of feminism and femininity might be.  Compare your definitions.

How does Nelly Furtado represent the new definitions?

Who ELSE is representing the new definitions?

12. “The more conscious we become the more equal we will become.”  Alanis Morissette

Alanis suggests that being thoughtful will increase equality.  Do you agree?  Why or why not?

Does her statement apply equally well to OTHER issues of equity, such as race, age, and ethnicity?  Why or why not?

13. Pretty, Porky and Pissed Off is a performance artist group reclaiming a neglected aspect of femininity.

What is a ‘performance artist’?

How might their performance influence stereotypes of women?

14. Mariko Tamaki says, “Not reading a magazine and having your definition defined for you by something else.” As we listen to Mariko, we see images from fashion magazines.  How does the insertion of the magazine images help viewers understand Mariko better?  Do the women you know look more like Mariko or more like the magazine images?  How does the juxtaposition of the magazine images and the performance artists help you understand why they might be ‘pissed off?’

15. We see video clips from Friends and Shallow Hal where actors are wearing fat suits.  Is this action harmful to people who are overweight?  Is it harmful to women?  What message might these scenes send to viewers about women’s body images?

Would these scenes have been considered acceptable if the actresses had been masquerading as black people?  As Native Americans?  As mentally or physically challenged?  Why is it still safe to make fun of people who have weight problems?

16. “Is Britney a good role model?”  She [Britney] says, “Love yourself for what you are.”

The Pretty and Porky performer cups her breasts, and asks, “Is that really her?”  What does her gesture mean?

We see an excerpt from the Slave 4 U music video.  How does this excerpt help the viewer understand the issue of Britney as a positive or negative role model?

Debate: Is Britney Spears a positive role model for youth?

B. Is Toronto’s anti-postering by-law a threat to democracy?

1. “We're really concerned about the way that public space is being dominated by private interests. Public space is supposed to reflect public needs.” Dave Meslin, Toronto Public Space Committee

How would banning postering give private interests domination over public space?

2. “When you arrive in a city and see a lot of posters, you immediately believe that there is a lot of stuff going on.  If you arrive in a city and there's nothing on the walls, it's like you're nowhere.” Mike Wallace, Evil Genius

Does the level of postering in a city accurately indicate its cultural excitement?  Are there other places where people can express themselves?  Might the Internet provide an equally good place for people to express themselves?  Why or why not?

3. When we see the interviews with the Toronto city councillors, they are introduced by mouseclicks on their website pictures.  How does seeing their pictures on a web page influence the way you think about them?  How does it influence the way you think about the internet?

4. “I want to support the right of people to find a way to express themselves.  [Postering is] very important to young bands who are trying to find a route to success that is not corporate.” Billy Bragg

How important is postering to young bands who do not have corporate sponsors?

What would happen to the music scene if new bands could only gain public exposure through sponsorships from corporations?

For further discussion on the issue of corporate involvement in promoting new bands, see the MuchMusic Cable in the Classroom program, Smokes and Booze and “Pop Goes the Product,” in Scanning Television 2 (Harcourt).

5. “City governments could be doing things to re-involve people in democracy.”  Avi Lewis

How does an anti-postering by-law discourage people from becoming involved in democracy?  How might city governments ‘re-involve people in democracy?’

6. The Toronto Public Space Committee website states that, “The Toronto Public Space Committee strives to democratise our public spaces which have become dominated by automobiles, advertising and private interest.

Freedom of speech cannot be extended only to those who can afford billboards. We need to level the playing field by reducing corporate visual pollution and increasing independent expression on our streets.”

Visit the website, at  http://www.publicspace.ca/  Read and discuss whether or not you agree with the committee’s point of views regarding postering and democracy.

C. Is Nike’s Presto Exhibit community art or marketing?

The Presto Exhibit is an art, music and lifestyle showroom set up by Nike in Toronto’s Kensington Market.  This MuchNews item focuses on an anti-Nike demonstration, Opresto, which occurred across the street from Presto.

1. “This is a venue about bringing together artists and community.  This is really a stage for them.” Randy Weyersberg, Director of Marketing, Nike Canada

Based on the images that are presented from the Exhibit, do you get the impression that Presto is a venue for Nike or for artists and community?  What gave you that impression?

2. Neither the Presto producer nor the Nike marketing director manager is critical of the Opresto protesters, yet the protesters are highly critical of the Exhibit.  Why do you think the Nike people do not defend Presto?  Is that good public relations?  What might viewers think of Nike if the Nike people verbally attacked the protesters? Why?

3. Max Valiquette works for youthography, a youth-oriented marketing company that created the Presto Exhibit.  If marketers are so involved with this project, do you think the main purpose of the Presto exhibit is to market clothes, or to help community artists?

4. Visit the youthography  website, at www.youthography.com/ to learn more about what and how the company helps its clients reach youth.

Considering the company’s goals and operations, do you think Presto was created more for culture or for marketing?

5. Visit the Kensington Market website (www.kensingtonmarket.org/home.html) to examine its representation of the Presto Exhibit.  Is the Exhibit listed?  [There was no mention of Presto on the site at the time this guide was written.]  Why?  What does the representation of Presto on the website indicate about its importance in Kensington Market?



Written by: Neil Andersen

Neil Andersen is a Curriculum Consultant with the Toronto District School Board. He is also a speaker and consultant in media and communications technology. His most recent work includes the Media Launchpad website, the teachers' study guide for the award-winning Scanning Television, and study guides for Space, Bravo! and MuchMusic's Cable in the Classroom broadcasts of original media literacy programming.

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