I was listening to NPR yesterday afternoon, very surprised and delighted to hear a story about the "Bechdel Rule". Alison Bechdel, longtime feminist cartoonist and creator of the recent award-winning graphic novel "Fun Home", was interviewed about a principle she put forth in a cartoon in 1985.
The Bechdel Rule is a 3-part standard for movie viewing. In order to pass, the movie has to 1) have at least two female characters 2) who talk to each other 3) about something other than a man.
What struck me was this... Alison put this in a cartoon in 1985. 23 years ago. But 23 years later, I'm hearing about it in the mainstream media. Now, that might seem discouraging, but actually, I found it kind of hopeful. Even though some concepts in a cartoon may be ahead of their time, putting it OUT THERE means that eventually it works its way into the public conscientious.
Many cartoonists want to create something that comments on the social structure, political structure, state of the world. We are privileged to have a "soapbox" from which to do this. We try to be careful not to preach, not to tire out our already beleaguered readers with more politics and woe. But still... my characters live in a feminist world, with men who see women as equals, with women who head the household, or hold down the household, with men who are bit sweet and like to cook and spend time with children. I just put it out there, the way I think the world should be.
With luck, 23 years from now, someone will be commenting on it. And yes, I still consider myself a feminist. How could I not? Just because Rush Limbaugh tainted the word, doesn't mean the principle isn't valuable and necessary.
Oops, I'm preaching! Back to work...
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