It's not really news that women and girls feel as though they are being constantly judged on their looks. Either from others or from highly critical self appraisals every time they pass a mirror or catch their reflection in a shop window. The majority of women who speak up for fripperies such as rights or equality have probably been informed their point is invalidated by their physical appearance. Curiously not an obstacle members of theThatcher cabinet came up against. Because a woman's status apparently rests on her looks, youth and size many people genuinely believe that to respond to any argument made by her on any subject can be dismissed, nay crushed, with the response that she is ugly.
Why is this an accepted form of argument - if it is not too grand to call it that - from our primary years to our prime? Because all too often it seems to work. Of course in light of the serious threats made online to women having your looks commented on might seem rather mild but seeing as we are brought up to rest our esteem not on our safety but our looks it can sting.
So, how best to respond to this pathetic criticism so beloved of pick up artists, the Daily Mail and others? Now of course Samantha Brick has demonstrated that nothing irks people more than telling everyone you reckon you're beautiful. You might appear to win the day but you also oddly court many people who feel it is their duty to correct you as if it matters that you think you are hot stuff. There's also the old 'just ignore them' tack that, uh, never works. You know it, I know it, children studiously pretending not to notice spitballs hitting the back of their neck in class know it.
So, how best to respond to this pathetic criticism so beloved of pick up artists, the Daily Mail and others? Now of course Samantha Brick has demonstrated that nothing irks people more than telling everyone you reckon you're beautiful. You might appear to win the day but you also oddly court many people who feel it is their duty to correct you as if it matters that you think you are hot stuff. There's also the old 'just ignore them' tack that, uh, never works. You know it, I know it, children studiously pretending not to notice spitballs hitting the back of their neck in class know it.
| It's not, strictly speaking, a word to 'reclaim' but when Royal Holloway Feminist Society found out that they were often referred to as the Ugly Girls Club they decided to own it as only a 2014 student feminist society can. A selfie campaign. | the reason the selfie is so very popular right now if that it is the only image you have full control over |
Using the hashtag #UglyGirlsClub the society shared their ugliest selfies to spread the message that "we are more than our appearance and so are you". It might seem odd to go out of your way to confirm your detractors claim but of course the reason the selfie is so very popular right now if that it is the only image you have full control over. Whether you pout and put a filter on or gurn and add the #UglyGirlsClub hashtag. It's harder to be scathing about someone's bad photo if the only response you can expect is a chill "I know".
The campaign has received enthusiastic support from other feminist societies in the UK and across the globe. The president of the Royal Holloway Feminist Society Natasha Barrett told the Independent: "We're challenging conventional roles, sexist traditions and speech, which judge people for their appearance rather than their substance, traits, policies or achievements."
The project is also, it appears, helping to dispel the old fashioned impression people have of feminists, Barrett notes that: "I definitely think the stereotype is a problem. The hairy, angry, ugly feminist cliche comes up all of the time...No one really expects our society to be out on pub nights, and they make assumptions which aren't true."
Ultimately the campaign shows that a sense of humour usually wins the day.
Squeamish Kate
The campaign has received enthusiastic support from other feminist societies in the UK and across the globe. The president of the Royal Holloway Feminist Society Natasha Barrett told the Independent: "We're challenging conventional roles, sexist traditions and speech, which judge people for their appearance rather than their substance, traits, policies or achievements."
The project is also, it appears, helping to dispel the old fashioned impression people have of feminists, Barrett notes that: "I definitely think the stereotype is a problem. The hairy, angry, ugly feminist cliche comes up all of the time...No one really expects our society to be out on pub nights, and they make assumptions which aren't true."
Ultimately the campaign shows that a sense of humour usually wins the day.
Squeamish Kate
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