Blog #11

The Bechdel Test is a test to see if their is a female presence within movies. In order for a movie to pass the Bechdel test, there must be two or more female characters, the characters must talk to each other, and they must talk to each other about something other than men. Rioux’s article and Davis’s speech are part of the same conversation because all three artifacts relate back to gender opportunity. With Viola’s speech, the topic of gender opportunity within the film industry is addressed, a similar conversation that the Bechdel test addresses. They are both calling out the fact that women aren’t given the same opportunities that men are given when it comes to starring in films, or the fact that black women aren’t given the same opportunities as white women in the industry. The industry is catered towards men, and when women are given opportunities, it will often be white women.

When it comes to Rioux’s article, gender stereotypes are addressed, and the fact that boys do not read to book Little Women is addressed. This is an issue with assumptions on what sort of things boys and girls should like or be introduced to. As Rioux says the female experience should not be kept private, and limiting this book to young girls doesn’t allow for larger debate on gender. This conversation relates to the Bechdel test because sometimes it is men who are not given the same opportunities as women in certain facets.