Posted in: Comics | Tagged: Babs Tarr, cliff chiang, colleen doran, Comics, dc, Erica Henderson, jason badower, kris anka, liam sharp, nicola scott, phil jimenez, UN, wonder woman

UN Takes Wonder Woman's Job Because of How She Dresses

Published Thu, 15 Dec 2016 06:00:45 -0600

by Joe Glass

Last updated Thu, 15 Dec 2016 10:57:00 -0600

Comments

By Joe Glass

Wonder Woman by Nicola Scott — Wonder Woman by **Nicola Scott**

After just two months, Wonder Woman has lost her position at the UN as an Honorary Ambassador for the Empowerment of Women and Girls. And frankly, that is an utter shame.

Wonder Woman by Liam Sharp — Wonder Woman by **Liam Sharp**

What seem to be the main reasons for those protesting, petitioning and ultimately seeing the fictional character removed from the position is an unhappiness with the fact that such a position is held by a fictional character (despite the fact that the position of Honorary Ambassador is typically filled by fictitious characters), that this particular role is too important for a fictitious character to be the face of, and finally, that a character that they claim is highly sexualized is an unacceptable role model for young girls and women in the name of empowerment.

Wonder Woman by Phil Jimenez — Wonder Woman by **Phil Jimenez**

This of course is patently incorrect. And ignores the work of numerous artists to focus on the work of a few. Look at the art shown here and tell me that the character is purely a character or titillation and not more than that, I dare you.

Wonder Woman by Erica Henderson — Wonder Woman by **Erica Henderson**

But also, Wonder Woman is a fictional character. She has no agency over her actions or wardrobe. That is down to writers and artists. So in an image where Wonder Woman is drawn as sexual for purely titillating reasons, it is not her choice to do so.

Wonder Woman by Kris Anka — Wonder Woman by **Kris Anka**

And even if it was, so what? Are we saying a woman, fictional or otherwise, has no worth based on her choice of clothing?

Wonder Woman by Babs Tarr — Wonder Woman by **Babs Tarr**

Is this not, in a bizarre way, a kind of victim blaming? Wonder Woman has been drawn in manner to appeal to men, so we don't blame the artist, we blame the character.

Wonder Woman by Colleen Doran — Wonder Woman by **Colleen Doran**

Wonder Woman, as a character, an idea, has the power to reach out in a way that no Ambassador or Goodwill Ambassador ever could. She's culturally recognisable and adaptable in a way that no real person can be. And the core message of the character of Wonder Woman; that of compassion, empathy, strength and equality for women is something that should be shared to all and spread far and wide.

Wonder Woman by Cliff Chiang — Wonder Woman by **Cliff Chiang**

Instead, some folks have decided to look at a relative handful of artwork from the 75 year history of the icon and damned her for it, not those actually responsible.