You can be walking down the street with the most baggiest of clothes but, as much as you try hiding yourself, someone always notices you: cat calls, hollers, and even gazes. Sometimes it's not about the style of clothes that get their attention on you. Other times it's about your gender and other moments it's your race that persists the attention of people you do not want to stare at you. Why is it that in modern day we always have this pace in walking when we subconsciously think about what people think? It's because of the idea of people staring or gazing and how it's affected previous generations of any culture to instill the idea that sometimes looking in any direction can be misinterpreted. But the misinterpretations have been sucked in like a sponge due to various factors. What are they?
To gaze at someone can get you in trouble. Regardless of your intents--good or bad--your gaze can get your own self in trouble. Bell Hooks experiences this and elaborates how "The "gaze" has always been political in [her] life" (Hooks 115). Gazes can vary in their purpose but what does it mean to gaze? Gaze, can be used as a verb or noun and has the following meanings:
Verb (used without object)
1. to look steadily and intently, as with great curiosity, interest, pleasure, or wonder.Noun2. a steady or intent look.3. at gaze, Heraldry. (of a deer or deerlike animal) represented as seen from the side with the headlooking toward the spectator: a stag at gaze.
The meanings have been provided thanks to dictionary.com, an online dictionary site (note: clicking the link will lead you to the definition of 'gaze'). What is amazing is that there are labels for certain gazes that have existed over a period of time. One of them being labeled the male gaze. The male gaze is throughout history, the views--the very objectified views--of women.
I really like the way you contextualize the gaze in the frame of stre harassment and "cat calls" that most of us have either witnessed or experiencd. It takes into account something that neither hooks nor Berger touch upon- the affect on the gaze in day to day life beyond static art or film imagery.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all your title makes a person want to read it, not for your entertainment. When I was reading it I didn't expect it to be so short. But its funny how in just three paragraphs I feel like you got your point across and I enjoyed reading it, it is short, sweet, and to the point. I liked how you mentioned how we subconsciously walk while thinking about what people think of us and also how a persons stare could have many meaning behind it and also how we can get in trouble because of our stare. I feel that every thing you said was true and I really enjoyed reading your post.
ReplyDeleteGreat Article! "Brevity is the soul of wit". I love how you bring together Bell Hook's argument with etymology. The way you cover the generalities and yet talk about Bell Hooks' life. The post was very persuasive and interesting to read, yet very informative.
ReplyDeleteIts a little short, but you seem to put everything into one. I liked how you mentioned about the "hollers" and the "cat calls".
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting how you refer to gazing at people can get you into trouble, I don't think I ever viewed it in that perspective. I believe it depends on the kind of person you are, from the person being gazed at and the "gazer". In my opinion male gaze is a way of looking at someone but it may just be a harmless way of a communication, it's just up to both parties being mature about it.
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