Hello Everyone!
I am very pleased to introduce you to my blog, Petticoat Rule. The name I have chosen is in reference to this Anti-Suffrage pamphlet:
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Why waste time?!
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The reasons I have decided to start this blog are many, however, one stands out above the rest. I am noticing more and more in all types of media references to "the good old days". It happens in news reports, articles, and on the radio as well as in everyday conversation. I fully acknowledge that every generation, in one way or another, hearkens back to its youth as a time when life was more simple, men were strong, women beautiful and everyone lived up to the morals and ideals that are now trod in the mud. This type of romanticism can be wonderful, but also extremely dangerous.
Admittedly, I embrace some of the not-so-liberating ideals of the past. I love the celebration of the uber-feminine in the art and clothing of the late 19th through mid-20th Century. I also, however, have the luxury of hindsight, and critical thinking. It is when we accept these representations and ideas of the past as fact that we are ignoring the actual lives lived by individuals who looked just as much like a Gibson Girl as I do a Victoria's Secret model.
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Interestingly, the same amount of Photoshop was used for each of these advertisements! See? the good old days are alive and well!
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And so, I will be using this blog to attempt to debunk some of this romanticism. Many of the posts will be related to representations of women but this is not exclusively a feminist blog. My hope is to uncover historical authenticity as well as analyze the myth or the legend surrounding our historical understanding. This is the study of Historicity. I am hoping my readers will contribute suggestions for discussion, criticisms (constructive) and alternate points of view. I will also be embracing all of the wonderful practical things we can learn from the past, from glamour and green living to words of wisdom. I hope you will enjoy learning, reading and sharing this journey with me.
I'm so glad you are doing this! The first story I ever heard you tell was about the female pilots in WWII. I've never been that into history, but you make it Interesting. I look forward to learning more and maybe joining in some discussions.
ReplyDelete-Rebecca