Spoken Poem

As part of the video and performance work, I wanted to look more into making the experience somewhat uncomfortable and more emotional for the audience. I thought that music wouldn’t have the same effects as words, and decided upon creating a small script or poem to speak out over the speakers in the performance. I have also added these to the later versions of the Untitled Collection.

Some of the phrases I used from the ‘top 50 most empowering feminist quotes of all time’ (Stylist.Co.Uk) and after little Googling, Barack Obama even had something positive to say about feminism (Independent.co.uk). I decided upon the quotes that I felt had most meaning and power behind them including;

“Value yourself for what the media doesn’t – your intelligence, your street smarts, your ability to play a kick-ass game of pool, whatever. So long as it’s not just valuing yourself for your ability to look hot in a bikini and be available to men, it’s an improvement.” (Jessica Valenti)

“There is no female mind. The brain is not an organ of sex. Might as well speak of a female liver.” (Charlotte Perkins Gilman)

Look at me.

We are all women. Or at least we begin that way.

So why is it that we are not all treated the same?

Look at me.

What I said. Does that make me a feminist? A woman? Or just human?

“Feminism is not a dirty word. It does not mean you hate men, it does not mean you hate girls that have nice legs and a tan, and it does not mean you are a ‘bitch’ or ‘dyke’.” (Kate Nash)

Look at me.

“A life without femininity – devoid of mystery, emotion, gentleness and the unerring power of a woman’s love – is no life at all.” (Antonella Gambotto-Burke)

Strength and beauty. Not just a body.

Look at me.

Value yourself for what the media doesn’t – your intelligence, your street smarts. If it’s not valuing yourself for the ability to look hot in a bikini and your availability to men, it’s an improvement.

Power and control. We changed history 100 years ago. So why can’t we do so today?

Look at me.

“Progress is not inevitable. It’s the result of decades of slow, tireless, often frustrating and unheralded work.” (Barack Obama)

Some may hope that we never get there, but they don’t know our strengths.

Look at me.

Do you see me as a body? As a figure on a pole?

Or do you see me for a woman, playing to my strengths?

Look at me.

You tell me we are equal, but I am looking down on you.

You tell me we are equal, but you couldn’t do this.

Look at me.

Because I am looking at you.