Fight the Power

The male gaze has always been a dominating notion in our society for a long time now. In the media, and especially in movies, it is usually from the perspective of a white, heterosexual man. The camera never fails to linger at the slight curve of the woman's hip, the peek of her cleavage, and the fullness of her lips. The male gaze is objectifying and wrong on so many levels, and many feminists have had their say on the issue.

And the male gaze made people wonder: If there is a male gaze, why can't there be other perspectives? And this wonderment led to other gazes being created and integrated into society as well.

The Transverse Glance is one of them.

It means being constantly aware of the global dimensions to the work one is doing. It's not necessarily a gaze because it tries to resist the imperial domain of gendered sexuality.

In simpler terms, the subject turns him/herself into a visual subject so it is not a male gaze.
This is really interesting and seen in our progressive society today. It has actually been happening.
You can see it in Spike Lee's powerful opening scene of "Do the Right Thing."



Rosie Perez, a powerful expressionist, uses her body as a way of expression. She dances to "Fight the Power" by hip hop group Public Enemy. This song has largely served as the political statement of purpose for the group and other people. Perez is shown dancing for about 4 minutes to this one song, thrusting her body, shaking wildly, jumping up and down, gyrating her hips, and seeming untamed and wild. The dance is actually sexual; all of the outfits that she wears are tight fitting and most are cleavage bearing. The dance moves themselves are sexual as well.

However, Rosie uses her sexuality as a symbol of strength and endurance. She objectifies herself in order to serve a greater purpose. Because she uses sexuality as expression, it is not the male gaze rather a transverse glance that promotes power.

It's awesome to see a woman shaking what she's got in order to empower herself and other women.