The Color of Postfeminism: Representations of Black and White Women in Popular Music Videos

Abstract

The sexualization and objectification of women in popular music videos has acted as a consistent obstacle for the feminist movement. Within a postfeminist framework -- postfeminism being a rejection of feminist ideas and a belief that the activist feminism of years past no longer serves a purpose -- music video viewers are able to see both positive advances and negative reversals. One problem often associated with the postfeminist movement is the lack of acknowledgment of race, as has historically been the case for the feminist movement, white, middle-class women are almost always the largest representation, with non-white women more often than not forgotten. The world of the popular music video is certainly no exception to this rule. Although postfeminism boasts many advances for women -- an increase in choice, a strong sense of independence and freedom, along with sexual liberties -- most of these advances are limited to white women. Despite these advances, postfeminist ideas are further limited by capitalism, consumerism, and white patriarchy, calling into question the legitimacy and efficacy of postfeminism.