The War on Women
This week, I chose to analyze this untitled piece by Barbara
Kruger. Kruger is known for creating artwork that discusses womens’ issues
through the use of harmful and offensive stereotypes over seemingly innocent
images. This piece, in particular, stuck out to me because of its strong
relevance today. Despite the fact that huge strides have been made in the
progression of womens’ rights, one of the biggest political issues today is a
woman’s right to an abortion. Womens’ bodies and what women have the right to do
to their own bodies are being debated and harshly fought over every single day
in this country. Kruger created this image in 1989 before attending a march in Washington
D.C. to promote reproductive freedom and the availability of abortions to women
that want them.
I doubt that Kruger ever thought this issue would still be
so prevalent 30 years after the creation of this work of art, but it is still
one of the most widely discussed political issues in America today. The time
and place in which this image was created, as well as its relevance today, just
goes to show how much work is still needed to ensure that women can truly be
seen as equals. Until women have the freedom to do with their bodies what they please,
there is absolutely no way they can be considered as having equal rights and
protections under the law, which is absolutely disgusting to say, but
unfortunately it is all too true.
Drew, my man, facts. Although I personally disregard radical feminism from the extremists point of view that "men are bad, have no worth, and they shouldn't exist", I am also a feminist pushing for woman's equality. It is very interesting how a work of art, as you said, be so prevalent to today's society 30 years after the fact. I feel like it just goes to show that there are still improvements to be made if the same fight back then is being fought today. NOW, my personal opinion on woman's right to an abortion are probably the same as yours. The only disagreement I may have against this notion is that the father should have a say as well. I think this because a woman can't get pregnant without the other male, they BOTH have responsibility over that decision. What I mean by this is that it should be a discussion between the mother and the father, and by absolutely all means, no one else; especially federal laws or state mandated guidelines. At the end of the day however, the world is not perfect and mistakes happen: fathers abandon the mothers, the mother leaves the father, the mother might not know who the father is, and so on. In these complicated situations when the mother and the father are unable to make a decision together, I feel that the woman has a right to do what she wants with her own body.
ReplyDeleteHey Drew! I found your post very interesting. It is the first time I see that image and the story behind it is so important! I feel like this is such a difficult topic to talk about because of all the different opinions and situations but I think you overall explained it good. It is such an important thing that is causing a lot of troubles in the present so definitely a strong relationship with our daily lives. How woman is seen has improved a lot but, as you said, there is a lot to work on! Hopefully , if we all continue pushing on the right direction we will get there sooner rather than later!
ReplyDeleteHey Drew, I really enjoyed this critical analysis. I think that your selected piece was very relevant, and that your connections thoroughly displayed the relations between the piece with current day events. I personally find it very interesting that the work is untitled, I'm not sure why I just think it's cool. Your ability connect your analysis with women's rights was very relevant and well done. Look forward o future posts.
ReplyDelete