*Feminism and Culture*

Our blog group (Feminism and Culture http://2113wa10b.blogspot.com/) focus was to find culture jammers online and research them. The research included; finding out information on the specific group that designed the culture jammer, their politics, how they use jamming and why.

Throughout the last month we each found very interesting and thought-provoking culture jammers and groups/individuals that use culture jamming through images, video, and as our group found even themselves. We found that feminism is used in culture jamming as an outlet for challenging the viewers thought-processing and show how non-sensical our society can be to stereotypes about women. For example; "The Right Dress Size" culture jam creator Beverly Naidus shows the viewer that generations of American women have been 'bought' into the idea that if they buy the right clothing, wear their hair the right way, eat the right thing than they will be the true definition of an American woman. Naidus' culture jammer reflectively proves that this idea is just plain ridiculous because like Naidus wrote; what happens to the people that don't fit in, or can't fit in?

Feminism is used through culture jamming to provide a voice for women that are not heard by society by using the same tactics as large media and advertising. Culture jammers that speak the truth seem shocking because feminists confront 'taboo' issues that society usually chooses to ignore. Such as our January 10, 2010 post "QUEERying Culture..." in which the creators (Dyke Action Machine) use their creativity to fight the stereotypes about lesbian lifestyles and show society what it is really like.

Through our research we've learned that culture jamming is all around us whether we consciously realize it or not. Take our January 18th post about Lady Gaga for example, she herself is a culture jammer. Through what seems to be her way of fighting the constraints of

the 'politically correct' she has made an empire all while being an activist for gay and lesbian rights. She takes using 'shock-value' to a whole new level!

When women are negatively portrayed in media or misunderstood by society culture jamming will always be a way for feminists to fight back and unveil the lies that many are taught to believe. Feminists create culture jammers that depict the ridiculousness and show the often humorous side to sexism. Culture jammers are a form of social movement and could possibly be our generation of feminists newest way of protesting.