Thursday, 3 December 2015

"Pink - the dangerous colour"

Pink creates reactions - that is why this book was, and could, be written. The colour pink! How upsetting can it be? Very. Historian Jo Paoletti refers to the American Ladie's Home Journal, that in 1918 stated: the commonly accepted rule is pink for boys and blue for girls. The reason is that pink, which is a stronger and more decisive colour, is better suited for boys, and blue, which is more fragile and delicate, is more beautiful on girls (which in turn stems from Mary, Jesus' mother). An American prison painted the cell walls in pink in the 1970's, which contributed to making the prisoners calm (see also a more modern attempt in Switzerland). A parking spot reserved for women but used by men was painted pink, with the aim to make the men feel so embarrassed that they would stop using it. And how come people who want to be taken seriously avoid wearing pink suits?

I say: this book is very good to have read. A bit long, but definitely eye opening. Not the least is the reference list super interesting.

I also give you a few key words and topics to discuss: symbols. Dichotomy - what do we want to achieve with it? What difference does a colour make? Are gender issues just about and for women? How come "the free choice" of how one wants to be when one is a woman is limited by the perception of how a woman "should" be? (See Beverly Clegg's research if you want to dig deeper into this.) Why is women's clothing so tight, short and in general limits free movements (like...climbing trees and bending forward and not needing to cross legs when sitting down)? (See also Angela McRobbies analyse of clothing risking being more of an individualistic struggle rather a united front by queerfeminism, to the joy of the capitalistic society of consumption, as this kind of feminism is udually not regardedas political.) Parents that want to discuss childrens' wear and such are welcome to visit!

Fanny Ambjörnsson has also made other fun things but writing this book. Check her and her research out.

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