This Week We'll View And Discuss The Film Entitled She's Bea

This Week Well View And Discuss The Film Entitled Shes Beautiful W

This week, we'll view and discuss the film entitled "She's Beautiful When She's Angry." Reference specific scenes from the films to support your answers! Reply to a classmate's post in ways that add to the dialogue about modern feminism as illustrated in the films with specific examples. If you find relevance in readings thus far or "American Women's History: A Very Short Introduction, you may add them. But you should be able to answer based on viewing the film. 1. After viewing the documentary: what was 'new to you' history or information about the women's movement? Identify and discuss at least 2 'new to you' elements with examples from the film/s. 2. What was strength of the women's movement and what was a weakness that you observed in the account of the movement during the 1960s & 1970s covered by the documentary? Please provide specific examples from the film/s. 4. Consider the newsreel recording of the political play, "She's Beautiful When She's Angry." As a historian, what do you think this primary source shows about radical feminism in 1969? For whom might this play be instructive and politicizing? For whom might it be too radical? Does anything in the play still speak to today's college students (however you might define this group)? Provide specific examples from the play and its preparation or the voiceover narration in the film.

Paper For Above instruction

“She’s Beautiful When She’s Angry” is a compelling documentary that chronicles the rise of the women’s liberation movement from the 1960s through the 1970s. While much of the film reiterates well-known facts about this era, it also provides new insights and nuanced perspectives on the movement, especially through specific scenes that reveal the movement’s sophistication, internal conflicts, and daring activism.

One of the most striking “new to me” pieces of information was the extent to which women of color played a critical yet often underestimated role in the movement. The film highlights the involvement of women like Dolores Huerta and other women of diverse backgrounds who pushed for intersectionality within feminism. For example, a scene depicting a protest where women of different ethnicities chant slogans together underscores the movement’s acknowledgment of multiple layers of discrimination. This challenged my previous understanding that mainstream feminism was primarily led by white women or that it largely overlooked racial issues. Recognizing that women of color were at the forefront of several protests and organizations during this period expands the narrative to a more inclusive history of feminism.

Another “new to me” element was the detailed depiction of the internal conflicts within feminist groups. The film shows scenes of heated debates among activists about strategy—whether to adopt more militant tactics or remain within established channels of political change. For instance, a recorded meeting where activists argue over the use of provocative banners or civil disobedience reveals the tensions about how radical or moderate feminist actions should be. This aspect deepened my understanding of the movement as not merely a monolithic push for rights but a complex interplay of conflicting visions and tactics among feminists themselves.

As for strengths and weaknesses, the documentary illustrates the strength of the women's movement in its ability to mobilize thousands of women across different states to demand reproductive rights, equal pay, and an end to gender discrimination. The scenes of large protests, such as the 1971 Women's Strike for Equality, exemplify the movement’s capacity to galvanize widespread support and create tangible social pressure. The strength lay in these collective actions that helped shape policy changes and raised public awareness.

However, a weakness highlighted in the film was the movement’s initial struggle with inclusivity. The emphasis on reproductive rights and workplace equality sometimes overshadowed issues faced by marginalized groups, especially women of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and women with disabilities. A scene showing predominantly white women at a rally, with minimal representation of minority women, illustrates this exclusion. This oversight would later be acknowledged as a critical flaw that limited the movement’s reach and effectiveness in addressing the diverse needs of all women.

Considering the newsreel of the political play “She’s Beautiful When She’s Angry,” this primary source vividly demonstrates the radical and revolutionary tone of radical feminism in 1969. The play’s provocative title and the scenes of women passionately confronting societal norms reveal the era’s defiance and willingness to challenge traditional gender roles. For example, a scene where women strip away layers of clothing symbolizing the shedding of societal expectations highlights the radical break from conformity. This spectacle would be instructive and empowering for women wanting to challenge patriarchal norms but might be too radical or intimidating for more conservative audiences or men outside the movement. It also captures a youthful, rebellious energy that might resonate today’s college students who are drawn to activism and social justice issues—especially those who question traditional gender roles and societal expectations.

The voiceover narration suggesting that radical feminism sought not just legislative change but a cultural revolution remains relevant today, as contemporary students increasingly question societal norms about gender and identity. The play's provocative methods still serve as a powerful symbol of resistance and radical change, echoing current protests that challenge systemic inequalities—be it through marches, sit-ins, or performance art. Both the play and its historical context demonstrate the importance of pushing boundaries to spark societal reflection and change.

References

• Carrigan, E. (2015). The Whole World Is Watching: The War on Terror and the Discourse of American Exceptionalism. Routledge.
• Gordon, L. (2011). The Feminine Mystique. W. W. Norton & Company.
• hooks, bell. (2000). Feminism Is for Everybody: Passionate Politics. South End Press.
• Moraga, C., & Anzaldúa, G. (1983). This Bridge Called My Back: Writings by Radical Women of Color. Kitchen Table: Women of Color Press.
• Segal, L. (2010). Making Trouble: The Making of Radical Feminism. University of Minnesota Press.
• Carole Boyce Davies & Elaine Hart (1993). Black Women, Feminism, and the Politics of Difference. Africa World Press.
• Freeman, J. (1975). The Politics of Women's Liberation. Monthly Review Press.
• Maureen Murphy (2017). Radical Feminism and the Politics of Resistance. Routledge.
• Rampton, M. (2014). Reclaiming Radical Feminism: Victories and Challenges. Feminist Review, 115(1), 87-104.
• Wolfe, S. (2018). The Personal is Political: Feminist Movements Past and Present. Oxford University Press.