Sexism in Canadian media

Introduction

Throughout Canadian society, sexism and gender discrimination is prevalent both explicitly, and inexplicitly affecting women predominately. This means in symbols, politics, films, media and in day to day life in instances that is not directly confrontational and discriminating of individuals up front. However, explicit sexism is evident as well where discriminating actions are done to women directly. Today in Canada, society aligns with what academics identify as postfeminist, meaning this time in society where a belief that equality has been achieved is prevalent in society. The causes a significant population to believe that society is fine status quo. This phenomenon causes issues because in reality, equality has not been achieved in society and this thought process leads to people not taking action against inequality.

The Portrayal of Women and sexuality in film

Due to the proximity and similarities of cultures between the United States and Canada, film produced in both nations are often viewed and consumed by either country. A contemporary film that depicts this is Juno (2007) where the film follows the protagonist, Juno, on her journey as a pregnant teenager. As expressed by Anita Shaw in her article “Media Representations of Adolescent Pregnancy: The Problem of Choice,” many people lived similar experiences as Juno and resonated with the story. However, Shaw also argues that the film perpetuates several stereotypes through the cultural aspects of media in that films, and tv shows will often predominately portray the perspectives and experiences of dominating cultures. For example, if a family that has more Asian cultural influences may manage and deal with Juno’s situation differently. This point that Shaw makes highlights how although media may seem forward thinking and inclusive but can still lack an intersectional perspective that is truly reflective of society.

Prior to Juno however, women and sexuality has been portrayed in film in multiple ways. A great way to see this is through Bitchmedia’s videos titled “Abortion Scenes in Pop Culture 1,” and “Abortion Scenes in Pop Culture 2.” These compilations of multiple different clips of films portraying abortions and female reproductive rights provides us with a snapshot of the multitude of different portrayals of women’s reproductive rights in popular media at different times in history. We are able to see a mix of invoking fear into abortions, as well as some more optimistic portrayals of abortions as well. Although there is a wide variance In the portrayals of this in the two videos, it is clear that film in popular media is able to invoke feelings and even persuade individuals to feel and believe different things around women’s reproductive rights.

Firebombing of Red Hot Video

The Wimmins Fire Brigade was a group of women known to be responsible of the firebombing of the Red Hot video stores in the lower mainland of British Columbia in 1982. Prior to this, the group participated in the bombing of a factory in Toronto that produced nuclear weapons to the United States, as well as the bombing of a BC Hydro power plant in protest of the ecological damage the plant did to the environment. The Wimmins Fire Brigade took full responsibility for the fire bombings of three Red Hot Video stores in Metro Vancouver on November 22, 1982, because the porn video chain sold snuff films that portrayed the abuse, murder, and violence against women. They argued that this was against the criminal code of Canada and were also frustrated at the slow pace of change taking place. As a result, the Wimmins Fire Brigade took matters into their own hands and resorted to bombing institutions to bring attention to the cause.

The while it is likely that the snuff films being sold by Red Hot Video depict consenting adults participating in the production of the films, the films nevertheless depict and perpetrate the ideas that men control women in addition to the sexualization of women. The films further carry on the idea to individuals who watch these films that the activities being done in the films are okay and are accepted by society. In reality however, it is not the case and continues the systematic discrimination and sexualization of women in society.

The Firebombing of Red Hot Video did not directly stop the selling of these films in the pornography stores, instead it was able to put pressure on the Canadian government to enforce regulations on violent pornographic films. In short, the Wimmins fire brigade was able to take up arms and protest against the portrayal of violence against women in media.