Since I’ve studied Italian for five years, hearing that we had to attend an Afro-Caribbean version of Carnevale caused me to instantly form a few preconceptions. I mistakenly thought that they would be similar; the parade’s commencement immediately smashed this idea. I’ve never seen a gathering so crowded and openly risqué. The sheer number of people was staggering to me, as were the number of food options. I could barely keep up with all that I saw as I was walking, and I enjoyed taking in the smells, sounds, and culture in general.
One thing that irked me, however, was the role of the women in the parade. Scantily clad and dancing in high heels, they wore a full face of makeup and clearly had put a lot of effort into their appearance. They all strutted down the street confidently and didn’t mind posing for pictures. I can’t decide whether I think they were liberated or confined by their role in the parade.
On the one hand, these women line up almost exactly to societal standards of sexuality. Their unnatural appearances reminded me of magazine ads: airbrushed, changed, and deliberate. They literally covered only the barest necessities of their bodies, and there is no doubt in my mind that they were sexualized, both by the parade in general and the infinite number of gazes upon them. Everything from the way that they looked to the way that they moved exuded sensuality.
However, they were entirely unbothered by it. Perhaps their ability to flaunt their bodies in such a way was actually a form of liberation. Some of the women were far from the stick-thin models we are pressured to look like, yet they still flaunted their assets, no pun intended. The fact that they were able to put society’s standards for women (which are normally at least somewhat hidden) completely on display was very interesting. None of them showed the slightest glimpse of shame or regret for their actions, and their confidence was almost inspiring.
I think their role in the parade can be seen as a release, but I’m curious to hear what others thought.
9 responses so far ↓
Chelsea Gilchrist // Sep 1st 2009 at 17:28
I’ve noticed this about women in general in England: they don’t seem to mind showing off their bodies, and I can’t decide whether this is good or bad. I think it’s nice that the stigma is taken off of some things we might consider explicit in America, but I also wonder what this says about British culture, that it’s ok for them to show naked women all over television and print ads.
apower // Sep 1st 2009 at 17:33
I’m not sure I would consider their performance, or their scantily clad and sexual dancing a “release”, rather I think it is a cultural phenomenon that we as Americans are not as familiar/comfortable with. I was discussing sexuality in the UK recently with someone and we commented that it is much more public than in the US. The picturesque phone booths are covered in stickers of women dressed in about the same clothing as the women from the parade. Additionally I have seen more sex shops since arriving than I have ever seen before. I’m not sure why this is, but I have found that this is a common theme throughout London, not just at the Notting Hill parade.
To tag on to that, in regards to the shape of many of the women in the parade, I too respected them for their comfort with their bodies. I wonder if this is something we would see in the US? I would assume no, but it would be interesting to see a similar parade in the US.
roseam // Sep 1st 2009 at 17:36
I think a similar parade in the US would get a LOT more backlash, and the women in particular a lot more flack. I also am not convinced that this is a cultural phenomenon, since they see the same advertisements and such objectifying women just as much as we do, if not more. Maybe the Brits are just more accustomed to it since it’s more widespread and acceptable.
mliberty // Sep 1st 2009 at 18:54
I find this discussion very interesting. In some ways I agree that the free disclosure of female bodies here can be liberating. On another note, there is a a VERY similar parade int he US right near my house that I go to every summer called the Caribbean Day Parade (recently changed to the West Indian parade I think). The women are dressed the same with equal comfort and body types. The parade does not receive back lash, in fact it is thought of as one of the more multicultural celebrations in Brooklyn. I think this is just another example of a culture even different from American or British culture.
tejadaf // Sep 1st 2009 at 19:12
Hey Amy, I haven’t read any of the comments above so forgive me if this is repetitive.
I liked that you questioned this aspect of the parade, it is very important to recognize a woman’s role in public event’s such as this one. However, I think that before we stop to question whether “these women” (Samba dancers) are either confined or liberated we have to think about the cultural context of their appearance. American media and culture has taught us that a woman who exposes her body publicly (like the Samba dancers) is one who is liberated to the extent that she is prude (for lack of a better term), but I highly doubt that they are looked upon as such in their country of origin.
Thank you for making us think about this.
tejadaf // Sep 1st 2009 at 19:13
Hey Amy, I haven’t read any of the comments above so forgive me if this is repetitive.
I liked that you questioned this aspect of the parade, it is very important to recognize a woman’s role in public event’s such as this one. However, I think that before we stop to question whether “these women” (Samba dancers) are either confined or liberated we have to think about the cultural context of their appearance. American media and culture has taught us that a woman who exposes her body publicly (like the Samba dancers) is one who is liberated to the extent that she is prude (for lack of a better term), but I highly doubt that they are looked upon as such in their country of origin.
Thank you for encouraging us think about this.
Paul // Sep 1st 2009 at 19:42
I agree completely with Flow. I think it’s only the fact that we’ve all been raised in a country birthed from Puritan ideals that we are inclined to think that dressing in that way would be liberating rather than just simply expressing oneself.
russella // Sep 2nd 2009 at 15:14
^^ concuring.
I don’t know much about the various groups in the parade, but I’m assuming there dress had something or other to do with the country they were representing, so I would lean more towards the side of pride and empowerment. However, I couldn’t help but feel like I was watching a Harem as all the women followed behind a moving truck with a guy sitting drinking beer (i realize there were women in the truck too, although most were dancing for the men). I would say then, that they actually aimed to objectify and in doing so on purpose were seizing control?
Karl // Sep 2nd 2009 at 17:49
Excellent post and comments. I have long been bothered by open expressions of sexuality and what it means (especially since it is women who are often the performers). I have a hard time making generalizations, but one thing I always try to consider is the multiplicity of perspectives. The performers may see their performance as just that, yet the viewer may see it quite differently. Because a viewer/voyeur might see the performance as sexual/erotic doesn’t necessarily make it so, does it? However, what does such a performance teach little girls when we have a pretty good idea of what it teaches little boys?
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