Check out 16 Return-To-Work Programs In India For Ambitious Women Like You!
Olivia Gatwood's 'Ode To My Bitch Face' is a two-minute slam poem that exposes how women’s bodies are constantly subjected to the approval of men.
Olivia Gatwood’s ‘Ode To My Bitch Face’ is a two-minute slam poem that exposes how women’s bodies are constantly subjected to the approval of men.
Pursed lips, flaring nostrils, arched eyebrows and eyes filled with murderous rage which are enough to shut up an annoying person or silence a crying baby — we have all come to associate such a combination of our facial muscles as the ‘Resting Bitch Face’!
Needless to say, the usage of it is quite common and the implications yet more insulting. To address this, slam poet Olivia Gatwood, who writes odes to things she is, or for that matter, any other woman is, supposed to feel ashamed of, wrote one, titled, ‘Ode to My Bitch Face’. The wordings of the poem, and the equally strongly expressed emotions of the poet will force you to think twice before uttering the phrase again in the context of any woman in particular, or a person, in general.
Some people do have a deadpan expression or, the ‘resting bitch face’, in most of the situations. More often than not, you and I might get to hear that so-and-so was proudly flaunting their resting bitch face in front of a teacher or any other person with authority, just to annoy them by conveying a rebellious attitude. Gatwood, however, brings another dimension to it and focuses on how misogyny and objectification of women has been going on since the beginning of time. An expression like this is more or less like a liberation from all the expectations society (read, men) has from them.
Gatwood’s poem is not just mere words, it’s a collective voice and expression of all the women who at some point in their lives, used to smile as brightly as the sun and were full of life, but have chosen to curb their own emotions for fear that someone may just snatch it all away from them. So, the resting bitch face is not a lack of emotion, rather it is an expression that has so many feelings and a context attached to it.
A woman’s job is not just to sit pretty and make the world a better place by just looking beautiful. Each of us here, is in search for a reason, a context upon which to base our entire lives. So if my resting bitch face fails to convey that to you, it is on you, not on me!
Image: YouTube
Just your average pen-wielding person with a knack for thinking inside the box. read more...
Women's Web is an open platform that publishes a diversity of views, individual posts do not necessarily represent the platform's views and opinions at all times.
Stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter or Daily Summary - or both!
People say that women are the greatest enemies of women. I vehemently disagree. It is the patriarchal mindset that makes women believe in the wrong ideology.
The entire world celebrates International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024. It should be a joyful day, but unfortunately, not all women are entitled to this privilege, as violence against women is at its peak. The experience of oppression pushes many women to choose freedom. As far as patriotism is concerned, feminism is not a cup of tea in this society.
What happens when a woman decides to stand up for herself? Does this world easily accept the decisions of women in this society? What inspires them to be free of the clutches of the oppression that women have faced for ages? Most of the time, women do not get the chance to decide for themselves. Their lives are always at the mercy of someone, which can be their parents, siblings, husband, or children.
In some cases, women do not feel the need to make any decisions. They are taught to obey the patriarchal system, which makes them believe that they are right. In my family, I was never taught to make decisions on my own. It was always my parents who bought dresses and all that I needed.
14 years after her last feature film Dhobi Ghat, storyteller extraordinaire comes up with her new film, Laapataa Ladies, a must watch.
*Some spoilers alert*
Every religion around the world dictates terms to women. The onus is always on women to be ‘modest’ and cover their faces and bodies so men can’t be “tempted”, rather than on men to keep their eyes where they belong and behave like civilized beings. So much so that even rape has been excused on the grounds of women eating chowmein or ‘men will be men’. I think the best Hindi movie retort to this unwanted advice on ‘akeli ladki khuli tijori ki tarah hoti hai’ (an alone woman is like an open jewellery box) came from Geet in Jab We Met – Kya aap gyan dene ke paise lete hain kyonki chillar nahin hain mere paas.
The premise of Laapataa Ladies is beautifully simple – two brides clad in the ghunghat that covers their identity get mixed up on a train. Within this Russian Doll, you get a comedy of errors, a story of getting lost, a commentary on patriarchy’s attitude towards women, a mystery, and a tale of finding oneself, all in one. Done with a mostly light touch that has you laughing and nodding along.
Please enter your email address