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"Lilith for example, that first female failure or
first feminist depending upon who tells the tale…"
-Jo Anna Isaak
Feminism and Contemporary Art
Just as a band can have only one lead singer, Adam could take
only one wife.
Despite what you may have been taught, Eve was not the first
female ever created: Lilith was. She was made with the intention
to be the wife of Adam (as Eve would be later) of blood and dust
as Adam was, therefore being his equal. Never mind the convenient
spare rib Eve was molded from. |
Sarah McLachlan performing
at Lilith Fair |
But if Lilith was there, then why did God bother with Eve?
Lilith infuriated God and Adam by refusing to lie beneath Adam
in the traditional missionary position. She was banished from
the
Garden of Eden, took on demon form, and flew away to live in
the caves by the Red Sea. The red-haired goddess is said to have
coupled with demons there, and gave birth to 100 offspring a
day. Her daughters, the "Lilim," were her "partners
in crime."
So where's Lilith now? Lilith herself is said to have hid underground
when the witch hunts began and it's believed she's still there,
occasionally seen and mistaken for a vampire. But if you look
at society, Lilith (and her Lilim) have practically taken over.
Women are getting more attention now then ever before. Feminism
is now a major controversial part of society.
Lisa Loeb |
You've probably all heard of Lilith Fair, the music tour headed
by Sarah McLachlan. The whole purpose of this tour is to celebrate
Lilith, women in music, and all women in general who have ever
stood up for something. A few of the female artists who have
joined Sarah in her crusade are Tracy Bonham, Suzanne Vega, Liz
Phair, Lisa Loeb and many more. However there are a lot of other
female artists conquering the world on their own such as Ani
DiFranco, Tori Amos, Holly McNarland and many others.
Female musicians don't have to be famous to make a point and
local band, "Redshift," proves it. Although Redshift
is an all-chick band (Jillian Freeman, Kate Bugden, and Ariana
Patey), they consider themselves equalists. |
"I think that feminism has kind of gone downhill lately.
It seems as if the movement has changed from 'We want equal rights'
to 'We hate men and we're going to take over the world.' I think
we should just try to break down the barriers because I am in
no way opposed to men. I like testosterone," says guitarist/
lead singer Jillian Freeman.
Redshift's music, including their two songs "Princess"
and "Blue Lids," is hard rocking, but is also the kind
of music you can listen to on your own, without getting a headache.
When they're not practicing, performing or doing they're homework,
they're adding to their CD collections.
"Female artists are now more popular than ever,"
says Kate Bugden, the band's drummer. "And I think that's
great, but musicians are musicians. Whether they are male or
female doesn't make a difference. If they are honest people and
play good music, that's all that really counts."
If Redshift could say one thing to other females their age
it would be this advice from Ariana Patey, the group's bass player:
"It seems like everybody says this, but be yourself. Don't
try to be like everybody else. Don't conform yourself to other
people's ideas of what you should be. Be yourself and people
will respect you for it."
"Life is not a short skirt," Bugden explained, "strive
for what you believe in and do it for yourself."
Freeman adds some advice of her own.
"I think the most important thing is to just be a strong
woman. I mean, if you want to
wear short skirts and tube tops do it, but don't use it as a
platform to what you think you deserve." |
