Wheaton Wire

Thursday, May 26th, 2022

  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Features
  • Arts and Culture
  • Sports
  • Astrology
  • Politics and Economics

Sections

  • From the Editor
  • Contribute to The Wire
  • Subscribe
  • Wheaton Wire Staff

Archives

Opinion

Joan Rivers: Feminist Icon or Pioneering Woman?

By Alex Natale on September 16, 2014

They’re not the same. Early this week various feminist news outlets broke the news of Joan Rivers’ death. Many celebrated her life, and the gains she made as a female comedian in a traditionally male dominated field. The comments sections of these articles were … conflicted, to say the least.

I don’t mean to understate Rivers’ accomplishments. Her early stand-up work is funny and self-deprecating, and she did break through the male-dominated lineup. But the Joan Rivers I knew growing up was the Joan Rivers of Fashion Police: cruel and biting. Fashion Police is hardly a feminist project.

Femenist author “bell hooks” defines feminism as a movement to end sexist oppression, and stresses that it’s not enough to simply call oneself  a feminist. There must be action to justify the label. I don’t think Joan Rivers ever called herself a feminist, and to bestow her the title of “feminist icon” upon her death seems wrong.

This isn’t to say Joan Rivers doesn’t deserve to be remembered for her contributions to the field of comedy. She does. It is to say that we should have a higher standard for our ‘feminist icons.’ Being a successful woman does not magically help other women be successful.

There are a lot of comedians right now using feminism to make comedy and the world more equitable. Sasheer Zamata of Saturday Night Live and Sarah Silverman both perform in benefits for abortion access. Amy Poehler runs an empowering site for girls called Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls. Jessica Williams regularly tackles issues of race and gender on The Daily Show. These are comedians who are explicitly and purposely integrating feminism and comedy.

Before someone is designated a feminist icon, there should be some sort of litmus test. How has this person advocated feminism in their life and career? How will designating this person a feminist icon inspire future feminists? When I think of Joan Rivers I think of someone who made a lot of money tearing other women down. Yes, she was successful. Yes, she was a pioneering woman in comedy. But she was not a feminist icon.

Categories: Opinion

Post navigation

Gail Berson, former Vice President of Enrollment and Marketing and Dean of Admission, departs after three decades
Joy ’17: The Pros and Cons of Living on Lower and Upper Campus

Recent Stories

  • The Wheaton Liar: A Satire Special
  • Count Your Lucky Stars (4/13)
  • Senate versus SGIB: Tensions spark largest Senate turnout
  • Primrose in Full Bloom at Basement Show
  • Road Back to Glory
Tweets by @WheatonWire

Search

Twitter Feed

Tweets by @WheatonWire
  • Top categories: News/Arts and Culture/Features/Opinion/Sports/From the Editor/Astrology/Politics and Economics/Abroad Blog/Satire
  • Top tags: horoscope/ wheaton sports/ sports/ wheaton/ SGA/ abroad/ film/ COVID-19/ interview/ fake astrology
Proudly powered by WordPress | Theme: Broadsheet by Pro Theme Design.