this one's for the vacant

feministdisney:

outlaw-monarch:

I’m not terribly familiar with her acting work (I personally could not be paid to watch Twilight, and I missed [the Runaways, wasn’t it?]) but I’ve have seen her pictures on the front of magazines and online.  I have always thought “what odd expressions she makes!” (Admittedly, some of them are- no one can take a perfect picture 100% of the time.)

I’m not saying I’ll never laugh again at some of the faces she makes or at any of the ones that other people make during photoshoots, etc….

But after reading this, I admit, I kind of want to buy the lady a cupcake or something.  Good for her.  Seriously.

I think that article is a pretty interesting read.  

“Stewart is often a target of a specific kind of body policing: the “smile, baby” requirement. When she appears on the red carpet and does not assure us with her teeth that she is simply thrilled to be reduced to a presence, a dress, a posture, she is often the target of harassment for her expression”

“Despite the fact that this attention is often negative and always demanded, despite the fact that it drives her to tears, appreciation of this harassment is demanded. Graciousness is an obligation on Stewart’s part because people are looking at her. The implication for women is that attention is a sign of our value; if we are not attracting it, particularly from men, we are worthless. If we’re harassed and ordered to smile, we’re lucky. We must be grateful for all attention, even that which we find unpleasant. Or we are bitches.”

Stewart’s lack of a ready smile isn’t really indicative of anything. Her supposed disposition does no manifest itself in anything other than some ruffled feathers among those demand a specific expression from women. She is not violent or cruel. She seems to be nice to the fan community. She doesn’t beat up photographers.

She just doesn’t like smiling. And in a culture of pop where it is the responsibility of women to make everyone comfortable, to put everyone at ease, this constitutes a grave affront.

(via heavenearthandhoratio)