Sunday, May 31, 2015

Identity and Sexual Orientation within an Oppressive Construct

Liz Lemon, a character in the NBC sit-com 30 Rock, variously comments on the complexities of sexual identity as a woman in modern New York.

Liz is the main character in the play written by Tina Fye. Fye's allusions to conflicts with-in the Liz Lemon character - between male identity and female identity - are often and portent.

The most obvious so far (I'm at season 6) is the incident where Liz and her lover are role-playing roles in a joking manner, over a discussion about home decorating. At a certain point in play Liz mounts her boyfriend - and he reacts appropriately (with in the present cultural constructs of modern female oppression).

The scene ends awkwardly.

It is a comment I believe, on the narrow confines in which present sexual identity must reside in this society.

Females who want to be dominant in sexual contexts are not allowed: if they try they are dykes, sluts, or whores.

Men who want to be subservient (the 'normal' female position) in sexual contexts are fags, potential sexual predators, weirdos.

In the present day this has resulted in I believe, surgical and chemical re-sexing; and loneliness by a huge number of citizens - both female and male.

The solution: Talk about it Liz Lemon.

The scene referred to above starts off the top.

30 rock season 6 episode 18


(NBC wants you to wide screen and Ctrl + to view this at a certain level of civility.)



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