I have been absent from blog-land for some time now, immersed in teaching, grading, research, parenting, etc. I was spurred to post today due to the appalling decision yesterday regarding Prop 8 that has blighted the sunshine state in which I reside.
Part of what has kept me from blogging is my current research/writing project – a feminist analysis of the Twilight phenomenon in relation to girl culture, abstinence-only education, the hyper-sexualization of females, and our corporate capitalist patriarchal world of Christian, white, male, hetero privilege.
This project was born via the intervention of one of my very favorite feminists – my ten-year-old daughter. She wanted to read the series and find out what all the fuss was about, so we read it together. I expected to be disturbed by it, I expected to hate it, yet I was surprised on both counts.
I was DEEPLY disturbed by it – but not only or mainly for the reasons I expected (more on this later).
And I did hate the series in many ways– but I also became fascinated by it – I could not put the damn books down! (more on this later, too)
For today, I want to focus on Prop 8 and what it represents – the continuing homophobia and heteronormativity of our culture– and how the mega-profitable Twilight franchise helped to enshrine such hatred into law.
As Dancin With Your Mouth Open posted back in November of 08,
With the huge boxoffice success of “Twilight,” it grossed over $70M domestically, this past weekend, not only is Stephenie Meyer making tons of money so is the Mormon church. Stephenie Meyer, described as the “the Mormon Anne Rice,” does what any good Mormon does which is called tithing. Tithing is a requirement in the Mormon religion and it’s usually 10% of their earnings. So, with all the talk about the Mormon church being a huge supporter of Prop 8, it seems like “Twilight” and Stephanie Meyer are contributors as well.
Meyer has on multiple occasions stated that, in accordance with her Mormon belief, 10% of all her profits for all things Twilight go to the Mormon church. (See, for example, The Advocate).
While she has not made any public statement regarding Prop 8, her tithing to the church supports institutionalizing discrimination against those who are not heterosexual. By extension, a percentage of the multi-billion dollar Twilight industry went towards the Mormon Church, an institution that played a huge funding role in initially getting Prop 8 on the ballot, and then kept the funding in plentiful supply in order to grow support for the Yes on 8 camp. The success of this campaign, which relied on dollars and dogma, would not have been possible without the big money that came from the Mormon Church and other religious donors.
Can we finally admit that rather than a separation of church and state we have a MARRIAGE between church and state – they are like the perfect couple, supporting each other via campaign contributions on the one hand and tax exempt status on the other.
In terms of the fanpire’s role, their obsession with all things Twilight has further lined the pocketbooks of a Church that is unashamed of its homophobia. Even those of us who are not members of the growing legions of fanpires, those of us who merely read the series and watched the movie and yet can still somehow sleep at night without dreaming of Edward, have contributed to Meyer’s tithing, and, by extention, to the success of Prop 8. To be honest, I didn’t consider this component of purchasing the books until a friend mentioned it to me, and I feel the fool for NOT realizing it. (Then again, it seems even going to see Milk helped those in support of prop 8).
How in a world where homophobia is the norm can one NOT contribute to it? I think not contributing at this time is an impossibility – our culture has it set up so we all must contribute, even if only subconsciously.
Yet, I find tithing, from whatever religion (as not only Mormons tithe), particularly abhorrent when used in such ways. Not only is it tax-exempt but it is used (as in this instance) to turn prejudice and discrimination into law in the name of religion. How ironic given the frequent complaint from the Mormon Church that they are discriminated against for their religion, that they are the Christain ‘Others’!
Meyer’s silence about the issue of homophobia in her church in general, and Prop 8 in particular, comes across as deafeningly loud –it speaks volumes, showing support for discrimination via economic buttressing of an institution that helped California, the state I live in, to etch inequality into law. So much for the sunshine state – so much for dazzling, sensitive vampires – instead, we have Prop Hate funded in part by Ms. Meyer and her adoring fanpire. Guess it’s ok for a lion to love a lamb, but not for a man to love another man.
I’m looking forward to seeing the results of your research on Twilight. I could not finish reading the first book because I also was seriously disturbed by it.
You raise a great question on how, in this corporate, capitalist society, can we avoid contributing to injustice. I mean, even if seeing Milk will do it … Jeez.
Thanks Barbara.
I have heard from many feminists they couldn’t finish the books or that they had to stop watching the movie due to its decidedly anti-feminist messages.
It disturbs me how this book is being so widely embraced given its glorification of a textbook signs of an abusive relationship. How can girls and women think someone stalking them and watching them while they sleep is romantic? Of course, they are encouraged to see this sort of behavoiur as proof of love — as if such obsessive, over-protective actions are romantic. Ick.
I do think the series has some merits though, and I think its important to read/view such texts even when they are anti-feminist — and especially when they become part of the cultural zeitgeist. Knowing the messages they contain and then critiquing them (and prompting others to do so) seems to me a way to help mitigate their destructive power…
That’s interesting. I actually found Bella’s independent defiance something refreshing and not necessarily anti-feminist. She seems very eager to not conform to the roles society is trying to puch her into. In fact, much of her frustration and moodiness seems derived from her desrie to be in control of her destiny. I see her love affair more liberating than oppressive.
Kate,
Thanks for your comment.
I agree that aspects of Bella’s love affair can be read as liberating, as can the fact that she is depicted as someone who actively desires rather than one who is desired (i.e. she is a desiring subject rather than a desired object). I also agree that she desires to control her destiny — and takes decisive action to do so. However, the fact that her anti-conformity is wrapped in a love story wrapper is disappointing.
I was not bothered by her frustration. I didn’t see her as moody. Rather, I wonder why a such a seemingly smart character can’t have more to her story than “I love him so much I want to be with him forever.”
I think the sad part is – and Twi is certainly not unique here – girls and women are still being sold on the idea that their only form of adventure, subversion, and self-actualization comes through love, romance, and sex.
I am reading these books (painfully still on the first one) because I work with teens and think it would be a worthwhile way to discuss healthy versus abusive relationships. But I can only read a few pages at a time, which is odd for me because I can read through just about anything, usually in an evening.
Perhaps it is because I am in my 30s but I find the book so boring. And, of course, problematic in so many ways.
I am reminded of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and how it sells abuse to girls as romantic.
There is a terrific series on Disney, not sure if you are aware of it. I posted links on my website http://thecuriousescapadesofdeedeethecat.blogspot.com/2007/12/evil-disney-mickey-mouse-monopoly.html
Shermanvolvo,
Yes — I LOVE Mickey Mouse Monopoloy – often show segments of it in my intro to women’s studiues classes…
I am reminded of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast in relation to Twi, too. In fact, I am writing about this in my book in progress. Lots of princess comparisons to make as well!
I am thrilled to hear you are force-feeding yourself the series in painful bites in order to help teens differentiate between healthy vs abusive relationships. Bravo for you! Sorry to hear you are struggling with it — I found it helpful to make lots of highlights and notes that fed the feminist critic I am!
Thanks for reading and commenting!
Hmm, you’re right about needing to know what’s in the waters of the debate. That’s one reason why I’ve kept up with the Left Behind stuff, even though I can’t read those books either, but for the same reason why I also can’t read a Dan Brown novel: I find the writing too terrible. Bella’s character is too Mary Sue-ish: too perfect, too beloved-by-all. Her only flaw was that she was clumsy? Shee-yeah. But you have a good point and I should take another look at reading them.
But yeesh, I hadn’t thought about Disney’s BatB in ages, and you’re right! Beauty’s relationship with the Beast is emotional abuse, too! Eek.
Barbara,
Thanks for commenting.
I did make it through Da Vinci Code — but I agree on the writing. Meyer’s writing is far from stellar too — as many, many note. Some of her descriptions hurt my brain – especially the literature professor side of my brain. How many times does she use the words marble and cold? Someone give the woman a thesaurus!
I found Bella rather weak, submissive, needy, anti-feminist… But, I know what you mean about being “too beloved.” It’s quite typical of romance novels to have an ‘ordinary’ heroine with a flaw or two — this way readers can identify and put themselves in her shoes, imagining the hero could love them in all their ordinariness too. Yuck-o-rama.
Yes, the Beast is one beast of a partner — and Belle learns if she only loves him enough, is good enough, she can tame him. What a horrible message! Edward is rather beastly too — esp when reading the story from his eyes, ala Midnight Sun. But then, we women are supposed to love beastly, controlling men. Where would patriarchy be without this lynchpin?
[...] omosessuali snaturati sfascia-famiglie (i mormoni sono stati tra i principali finanziatori – e, pare, Stephenie Meyer personalmente – del referendum californiano anti-matrimonio gay, la cosiddetta [...]
couldnt agree more
I find it interesting that I as a young female have not seen one book out there that promotes a healthy relationship ideals. I guess writing about that kind of thing would be too boring, but I’m certainly not stepping in to see Twilight, I had no idea of the kind of impact that this type of series has had in supporting yes on 8 campaigns… I was devastated and shocked when it actually passed in the Gold State, and even more hurt when I’d found out my own father had voted yes on an issue he deemed religious, only to be proved wrong by me later when we were actually able to sit down and have logical discussion on the matter… Great blog btw…
Thanks for commenting Sierra!
Hmmm, a book that promotes healthy relationship ideals… my mind is drawing a blank. Maybe Herland or other feminsit utopian fiction by the likes of Marge Piercy?
Yup, the series does have the knock on effecting of bolstering heteronormativity — I posted on this today…
Glad you like the blog — hope you will keep reading!
[...] sex marriage laws from passing (as with California’s prop 8). Here are some relevant portions of a piece I wrote on this topic: Meyer has on multiple occasions stated that, in accordance with her Mormon belief, [...]
Okay, as I’ve stated before. I have no issue with gay people being married, and myself am a christian and married. Reason for this is because I do not believe that someone else whose choice I don’t agree with will destroy my family values so long as I teach my children what I think is right and wrong then let them make there own choice on it when of age.
That being said, I think the voters spoke on it. Religious or not people cast there ballots and one side won. Yes I know this pisses some people off to no end but what about all the other things that have passed the those people didn’t like and then the same people who are complaining now looked at them and said. “Hey, that’s how the vote went. We won stop complaining.”
Well, they won. Stop complaining, get over it and move on. If you really want that to happen you need to get over that current loss and work towards the next day to try and get the things you want passed passed. I know this may seem abrasive but its the truth.
Ps I don’t care for the tween novel myself.
Interesting how you frame gay marriage as opposed to “family values.” Do gay people not have such values? What about the parents who have gay children? Do their families not have values either?
Yes, voters spoke on it, but there was HUGE money funneled into various states by religious institutions, and by the Mormon church in particular. It is not so much “free choice” voting as wealthy institutions using their privilege to swing the vote in their direction. Historically, it is harder for those on the “minority side” who, due to systems of privilege and power, have less money to spend on campaigns. Thus, those who are disenfranchised in various ways cannot wield anywhere near the power of those in the dominant (right, religious) mainstream.
Lastly, just imagine that a new law passed that said your marriage was null and void due to “opposite” sex marriage being illegal — would you be able to just “get over it and move on”?
Well lets start at the bottom of yer reply. Not likely to happen, but even if they did pass that law they couldn’t stop me from being with the one I love. And I’d move on from that point and work towards overturning that law. Just like I was suggesting in my past statement, or didn’t you read into what I said?
I didn’t say move on and sit on yer rump. I stated more or less you should continue your fight. Losing and then bitching about losing doesn’t do anything other then make the loss even greater. Those who can get over a loss and then move on to push towards the goal they want and yern for rather then blame anything they can find tend to do better.
You said mainstream religion caused the loss, yet how much did those who have money who are gay or support gays give? In part your right, those groups used the money they had to help get the word out on it to the voters. Though if you think it was all them that caused the loss then yer only looking at half the equation.
You only really lose if you give up; have you? Or will you do what great people in the past have and push through, fight with word and determination and get what you desire?
I guess what I’m really trying to say is, yer dwelling on the past, when you should be working on the win.
I am not sure if this is a farked up motivational speech for a sports game or just plain old “get over it, oppressed people”.
I fail to see how talking about homophobia and current legal justifications and manifestations are dwelling on the past. People in same sex relationships are still not allowed the dignity of marriage, to be treated as equal citizens.
This isn’t about winning or losing but about respect, equality and dignity.