Self Portrait
I landed in the Nederlands on the 20th of Jan — a place known for its liberal stance on a number of things. But I was there to attend a workshop on digital engagement for youth workshops.
I knew when I met the participants that they were my kinda’ people. People who wanted to take on the world, change the narrative, to help others. I had come home.
I felt inspired that I would be able to transfer knowledge over for the photography workshops I facilitate with a friend in the UK.
But there was something else, a tone. This tone, in particular, I was a little on the defensive about — because of being female?
I cannot be sure but there seemed to be humour that was based around the male / female division. Not with everyone but subtly there never the less. Was it because I was in The Nederlands, had an attitude shifted?
So when I eventually arrived in the City of Amsterdam — the windows became an analogy for me and how I felt.
I wandered around the city and did a lap of the red light district 2x. My husband muttered “crikeybobs”…………..
This is the place where you might get you camera thrown in the canal for taking pictures of the red light district. But there were many other windows too away from the human produce selling for the bargain price of around 50 euro.
Please allow me to introduce myself. I am Claire a human being and photographer.
Who should I blame for the tone that I picked up on the course, was it my own fault? Was I too sensitive? Was it a by-product of the city I was so nearby which peddled a sometimes male dream born from a masculine perspective.
Was it years of men making decisions based on strength and will.
Was the narrative being changed at all? Are men and women being considered more equal or are men ramping up their masculinity to quash female aspirations of respect?
But whenever or wherever that feeling is, the feeling of the women being the joke, the product or the entertainment — I cannot help but feel “other”.
I have a sense of humour and am ready to jump to the defence of the man, the man who has respect for women.
“Are you a feminist?” someone asked me. “I am a woman”. I replied.
Disclaimer: The Red Light District is one small part of Amsterdam, which is a beautiful city.
