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Okay! I LOVE yip podcast!
But I'm WAAAAY behind in catching up with the episodes.
So I'm sitting in the library, supposed to be writting some papers, but instead I'm listening to this podcast :) and lovin' the procrastination.
I just finished listening to the Burlesque/BellyDance episode and really appreciated the great points that the gals brought up. I am all for freedom of expression, women's sexual liberation, empowerment, and having a grand old sexy-fun time! However, while I agree with the podcast conversation, I think it's good every once and while to take a deeper look into our motives sometimes, and the underlying issues that may drive those motives. It's a wellknown thing that women's bodies have been exploited throughout history, whether physically by men, by the media, etc, and in certain circumstances, by women themselves. Many times women (and female dancers) are viewed as titilating eye-candy, just as a beautiful body to look at, and merely as entertainment. One question that I often think about is; are we as burlesque dancers or belly dancers through certain choices in music/costume/movement/facial expression/intention unintentionally and inadvertantly perpetuating the age-old objectification of women and women's bodies? Even though we may feel as though we are empowered - what is it that made us feel weak in the first place that now, when we are performing in a hyper-sexualized way, makes us feel like we have some power? And is this the type of power we want to feel? Is this the type of image we want to portray of the feminine to the rest of the world?
Women are sexual beings - just one part of the many beautiful aspects of being female - and I do not believe this sexuality should be supressed or downplayed. I truly appreciate both burlesque dance and bellydance and I find it extremely beautiful, but I do think it is a good thing to carefully consider all aspects of the way we portray oursleves, and the individual and broader impact that it may have.
Thanks Yip for talking about this topic in your podcast - looking forward to some great discussion!
Anna
But I'm WAAAAY behind in catching up with the episodes.
So I'm sitting in the library, supposed to be writting some papers, but instead I'm listening to this podcast :) and lovin' the procrastination.
I just finished listening to the Burlesque/BellyDance episode and really appreciated the great points that the gals brought up. I am all for freedom of expression, women's sexual liberation, empowerment, and having a grand old sexy-fun time! However, while I agree with the podcast conversation, I think it's good every once and while to take a deeper look into our motives sometimes, and the underlying issues that may drive those motives. It's a wellknown thing that women's bodies have been exploited throughout history, whether physically by men, by the media, etc, and in certain circumstances, by women themselves. Many times women (and female dancers) are viewed as titilating eye-candy, just as a beautiful body to look at, and merely as entertainment. One question that I often think about is; are we as burlesque dancers or belly dancers through certain choices in music/costume/movement/facial expression/intention unintentionally and inadvertantly perpetuating the age-old objectification of women and women's bodies? Even though we may feel as though we are empowered - what is it that made us feel weak in the first place that now, when we are performing in a hyper-sexualized way, makes us feel like we have some power? And is this the type of power we want to feel? Is this the type of image we want to portray of the feminine to the rest of the world?
Women are sexual beings - just one part of the many beautiful aspects of being female - and I do not believe this sexuality should be supressed or downplayed. I truly appreciate both burlesque dance and bellydance and I find it extremely beautiful, but I do think it is a good thing to carefully consider all aspects of the way we portray oursleves, and the individual and broader impact that it may have.
Thanks Yip for talking about this topic in your podcast - looking forward to some great discussion!
Anna
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Miami
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Re: Burlesque/Bellydance podcast
Tue, November 10, 2009 - 9:31 PMAnna, you are so smart! Are you trying to make me think??? Ok, well obviously I cannot speak for the whole belly dance / burlesque world, so this is my perspective. I do feel a bit "empowered" when I have performed burlesque. I think that when I have been objectified, I've felt that way because the other person held the power, per se. They made me feel a certain way. While performing, I have the power, I can show or not show what I want and you're going to like it! I think that's where the empowerment comes from for me. The weakness came from the other person somehow making me feel a bit insecure (and who likes that!!!). Now I must say, making me feel physically insecure is a tougher thing to do now because dancing is quite the confidence booster. So now, for me, Burlesque is just fun and flirty. It brings out my girly side that I rarely get to show. I've been with my husband for 10 years now... not much flirting going on in my world (LOL), but through dance I have that "thrill". The burlesque I've done has been pretty tame, so as far as portraying that image to the rest of the world, I'm ok with it. Again, for me it's more of the flirty game and being sensual then straight out erotic and sexual.
