week 12 Positive Images

 The article this week, “Framing the Questions: Positive Imaging and Scarcity in Lesbian Photographs’ (1991), by Jan Zita Grover was the argument that lesbians are being wrongly identified as to appease the current society. In this article there are many moments where there is tension, or even the feeling that the author is strongly voicing her own biased opinions on the matter. Though there are some points within the article I would agree with, it had me question who was the target audience with this article? The author explains a moment she had very early within the article about her friend and how she had rejected photos. “Yet as I watched,

my friend rejected photograph after photograph made by Nicaraguans and Cubans in
favor of photographs made by North Americans and Europeans.”  At this moment I tried to evaluate is as those would within a journalistic view. Depending on where images are submitted, the images could not be what that company is looking for at that time. Right after this moment, the author seems attacked that the images were not chosen. Even though the images were happy or even sentimental, the images themselves could have been pushed to the next addition to focus on the message that there are bad things happening in Nicaragua, then highlight the brighter side of living in Nicaragua.

 I felt that this topic seemed far stretched to compare the starvation and depravity of those within Nicaragua to lesbian happiness and security. I understand that she is trying to make the comparison of those who are making the choices to show lesbians in a certain way and how it is unfair to those people. Yet I feel that she could have used another example within her argument that is less about her own experience and more focused on evidence from others. An example used withing the article that I feel could change is, “No one has the right to censure these evocations of what is yet to be - lesbian sexuality as present, hot and inclusive.”  Although I agree that there should be a limit as to what can and cannot be censored, to what degree is it okay to censor? To what degree is it not? Who makes that decision? Even though she is fighting for censorship, there is a heavy debate on what society may not agree with then we are back at the beginning.

Right after this moment the author states, “Where scarcity existed, they propose plen-
itude: tattooed women, non-thin women, women of color, physically disabled
women, butch women, femme women. And this, I would argue, can only advance
everyone's agendas - from the delighted inventors of lesbian porn to the women who
cancel subscriptions to OUT/LOOK and threaten in print to burn On our Backs.” I disagree with this statement. The author is showing a lot of her own emotional outlook on the subject, which again makes me wonder who was this written for? Also, the idea of convincing those who are lesbian to be tattooed, not thin, of color, etc, gives their movement disorganization and weakness in my opinion. The objective if I am correct is to seek societal equality. I understand being angry, but in my opinion, by limiting what you can be as lesbian shows that they are changing because they are pushed to do so.


Overall, the author is trying to argue the negative views on lesbians or queer culture through her own eyes.  I chose to use this image above to help properly show the actions that are being taken to make a change within the gay community. This is a movement that has gained traction while being peaceful within protest and being clear on what is wanted within society. There are parts in this article that are very opinionated and even have a lack of evidence to help back this argument. Regardless, the community that we live in now is more outspoken about the topic and it takes generations to pass down that knowledge and understanding to know that it is not their life. Censorship is something we still struggle with in today’s media, but I believe that certain places around the U.S. have that open mind that you are free to be who you are.  

https://www.atlantahistorycenter.com/exhibitions/atlanta-in-50-objects/lgbtq/

https://lms.hypothes.is/lti_launches

Comments

  1. Cayton WagnerNovember 12, 2021 at 8:59 PM

    Brenden! You brought something to my attention that I didn't really see before, it is a bit far-fetched to compare a whole civilization of people to a sub culture of people. I understand because those experiencing extreme hardship like starvation and poverty don't even have the space in their mind to think about their sexuality, they are busy trying to just survive. A whole civilization of people includes a lot of factors that affect what people prioritize and some end up sacrificing thoughts of sexuality because they are being consumed by what must come first. They have no leisure and not by choice. I also think homophobia, racism, sexism, sexualization, violence, ect... is generational and we will have to teach our children and our children's children to be open and empathetic! Very well written I alway enjoy hearing your thoughts on any subject!

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