A   T H O U G H T   O N   F E M I N I SM 
B E C K E R  W H I T N E Y

For the past couples of months, I have become increasingly aware of a trending topic on Facebook and other forms of media: Feminism—are you for or against? As the creator of a blog that focuses entirely on female artists, I have certainly given thought to women’s rights and capabilities.

I began toying around with the idea of creating Pastel back in March of last year. Initially, I was worried that I wouldn’t be adept enough to handle the rigorous work that comes with researching and writing articles. Moreover, I worried that my voice would be inconsequential because the Internet is so deluged with other voices (much louder and more engaging than my own), debating every subject in the universe. I wanted my blog to be captivating and prompt change, but how would I be most effective? 

So, I created Pastel because, as an artist, it is my inherent desire to create and to motivate an audience. I thought this blog could be an outlet for female artists in and around Athens to share their work, what it means, and why they choose to make it. I wanted to illustrate that—in a culture that often promotes women as objects, rather than talented and qualified individuals—women are actually making astonishing, complex, and compelling work. 

I still believe this to be true—now more than ever. 

Though the nature of feminism is often misconstrued, its doctrine embraces the belief that all people are entitled to civil equality and liberty. And though Pastel highlights a very small facet of life, the decision to exclude male artists does make a statement: it is simply not the statement that I had intended to make. 

In Pastel’s latest article, I wrote that art is about opening yourself up to the limitless possibilities that its practice can provide. It was during the process of writing those words that I realized the hypocrisy of a blog that promotes liberation through the arts, but in reality, sets boundaries for the art that it shares with you. 

I believe in the empowerment of all artists. 

I believe in the empowerment of all human beings. 

I believe in art’s ability to challenge, inspire, and connect all people. 

Though I initially set out to empower women by interviewing gifted female artists, I now realize that I am only closing potential readers off to the opportunity to engage with women as equals.

I wanted to prompt change, and I wanted my voice to be heard. But I failed to recognize that change comes from the ability to reach many audiences, and you can only reach as far as you’re willing to extend your hand. 

In light of this recent epiphany, I’ve arrived at the conclusion that Pastel should no longer exclusively feature female artists.

I hope that by expanding Pastel’s subject matter in order to encompass the art of all individuals, I can invite you as well to cogitate the idea that being a feminist (whether you are a man or a woman) does not mean the devaluing of one gender in favor of another. It simply means that you offer respect to a person because you believe that all humans are equal. 

I do not want Pastel to perpetuate the negative connotations associated with the term "feminism". I do not want to fall into the "us vs. them" mentality that plagues our society. The negative byproducts of people’s aversion to these deeply imbedded social constructs are unavoidable, but taking action can yield a positive outcome as well. I still do not know if my voice is loud enough to be heard, but I made this blog because I wanted to be proactive. So instead of dismissing my male counterparts, or pointing a finger at someone else for the issues that we all face together, I choose to extend my hand to you all, in the hopes that you will take it, and accept my proposal to unite behind a movement towards equality. 

I look forward to sharing art from a sundry of artists with you. 

Cheers,

B

 A   T H O U G H T   O N   F E M I N I SM 
B E C K E R  W H I T N E Y

For the past couples of months, I have become increasingly aware of a trending topic on Facebook and other forms of media: Feminism—are you for or against? As the creator of a blog that focuses entirely on female artists, I have certainly given thought to women’s rights and capabilities.

I began toying around with the idea of creating Pastel back in March of last year. Initially, I was worried that I wouldn’t be adept enough to handle the rigorous work that comes with researching and writing articles. Moreover, I worried that my voice would be inconsequential because the Internet is so deluged with other voices (much louder and more engaging than my own), debating every subject in the universe. I wanted my blog to be captivating and prompt change, but how would I be most effective? 

So, I created Pastel because, as an artist, it is my inherent desire to create and to motivate an audience. I thought this blog could be an outlet for female artists in and around Athens to share their work, what it means, and why they choose to make it. I wanted to illustrate that—in a culture that often promotes women as objects, rather than talented and qualified individuals—women are actually making astonishing, complex, and compelling work. 

I still believe this to be true—now more than ever. 

Though the nature of feminism is often misconstrued, its doctrine embraces the belief that all people are entitled to civil equality and liberty. And though Pastel highlights a very small facet of life, the decision to exclude male artists does make a statement: it is simply not the statement that I had intended to make. 

In Pastel’s latest article, I wrote that art is about opening yourself up to the limitless possibilities that its practice can provide. It was during the process of writing those words that I realized the hypocrisy of a blog that promotes liberation through the arts, but in reality, sets boundaries for the art that it shares with you. 

I believe in the empowerment of all artists. 

I believe in the empowerment of all human beings. 

I believe in art’s ability to challenge, inspire, and connect all people. 

Though I initially set out to empower women by interviewing gifted female artists, I now realize that I am only closing potential readers off to the opportunity to engage with women as equals.

I wanted to prompt change, and I wanted my voice to be heard. But I failed to recognize that change comes from the ability to reach many audiences, and you can only reach as far as you’re willing to extend your hand. 

In light of this recent epiphany, I’ve arrived at the conclusion that Pastel should no longer exclusively feature female artists.

I hope that by expanding Pastel’s subject matter in order to encompass the art of all individuals, I can invite you as well to cogitate the idea that being a feminist (whether you are a man or a woman) does not mean the devaluing of one gender in favor of another. It simply means that you offer respect to a person because you believe that all humans are equal. 

I do not want Pastel to perpetuate the negative connotations associated with the term "feminism". I do not want to fall into the "us vs. them" mentality that plagues our society. The negative byproducts of people’s aversion to these deeply imbedded social constructs are unavoidable, but taking action can yield a positive outcome as well. I still do not know if my voice is loud enough to be heard, but I made this blog because I wanted to be proactive. So instead of dismissing my male counterparts, or pointing a finger at someone else for the issues that we all face together, I choose to extend my hand to you all, in the hopes that you will take it, and accept my proposal to unite behind a movement towards equality. 

I look forward to sharing art from a sundry of artists with you. 

Cheers,

B