Amy Schumer Is A Disappointment For Feminists, Claim Reports

Amy Schumer has been hailed Hollywood’s newest feminist icon by both her fans and the media. The actress is also enjoying her time in the spotlight thanks to her successful new flick, Trainwreck. Just recently, Amy Schumer’s brand of feminism is being slammed by some journalists.

Amy Schumer has been dubbed as the “New Voice of Feminist Comedy” since the third season of her successful television series, Inside Amy Schumer, premiered back in April. On her comedic series, Schumer tackles tough topics like Billy Cosby’s rape scandal and both sexism and ageism in the media. But some believe that Schumer’s recent success doesn’t grant her the title of the “New Voice of Feminism” or anything for that matter.

According to The Globe and Mail contributor, Anne T. Donahue, Amy Schumer is only receiving applause because she worked hard to get where she is today.

“She is simply a comedian who is working hard, and her success signals that determination and talent pay off – and that feminist messages are becoming more digestible among the masses. (Or, that the masses have learned that feminism isn’t something to be afraid of, which would be nice to think.) But whatever Schumer is, she is not the Queen of Feminist Comedy – that title does nothing for her or feminism.”

Amy’s brand of comedy and feminism only benefits white, cisgendered woman, according to the reporter. Meanwhile, both women of color and non-cisgendered women are still trying to break into the entertainment world, including the comedy field. According to Anne, Amy has gotten where she is because she’s a privileged white woman who already has a platform.

“Non-white, non-cisgender women are muted and marginalized on a regular basis, so there is a responsibility to anyone in the creative field who has a voice and who has reach to clear enough space to bring these women along, too. But there’s a difference between responsibility and being touted as the second coming of comedy Jesus.”

“Schumer has made feminist comedy accessible to viewers who may otherwise have steered away from it. She works, she writes and she performs. But she isn’t the Queen or the New Voice – she’s a person whose success has earned her a powerful platform that’s big enough for many other women to join her on.”

Amy has recently been slammed for her controversial GQ photo shoot, which mocks the Star Wars franchise. It features the comedian dressed in a Princess Leia costume as she gets into bed with the movie’s beloved characters. Amy’s GQ cover also received backlash from both Disney and Lucas Films. According to The Guardian’s Jessica Valenti, the “cover is a disappointment for feminist fans.” It’s unclear whether or not Amy approved or came up with the idea of the photo shoot, especially since GQ is no stranger to controversial magazine covers.

“It’s clear the shoot was meant to come across as funny and in good fun. It’s entirely possible that Schumer loved the cover and theme for the photoshoot. If so, I’d feel a bit better but would still think it’s terrible. But it’s also possible that she didn’t love the direction of the shoot. Schumer is making the rounds promoting her new movie, Trainwreck – so drumming up publicity is part of the gig. And as powerful as Schumer has become in the last year, it’s silly to think she could just walk away from a magazine cover in the middle of an epic publicity tour. (Or that she could criticize a cover after the fact.)”

“And that may be what’s so upsetting for some of Schumer’s feminist fans. It’s not just that the same old sexist visuals still exist even now, in this incredible moment feminism is having. It’s that the cover is a reminder that no matter how far a woman comes – even if she’s a successful, unabashed feminist – there’s always someone waiting to put her back in her place, with a finger in her mouth.”

Not everyone likes the sudden backlash questioning Amy Schumer’s feminism. Sarah Murray of the Youth Independent says that there are no rules for feminists to follow these days. In Amy’s world, anything goes.

“Feminists are up in arms about Amy Schumer’s appearance on the cover of this month’s GQ. And while that’s valid, let’s just all take a moment to remember that being a feminist in the 21st Century means having the ability – nay, the right – to do whatever the hell you want.”

“That said, we have no proof that this cover is what Schumer wanted. By asking Schumer to stuff a C-3PO digit in her mouth for the cover shot, her talent (her voice) is rendered irrelevant, even useless. And yet, does Amy Schumer strike you as the kind of person who does anything she doesn’t want to do? Not really.”

Amy Schumer has addressed how she feels about becoming this generation’s latest feminist icon. She said that the title is both “very unexpected” and “makes sense if I really think about it.” Schumer claims that her fans are “in good hands because I have good intentions.” Schumer is also very well aware of all the backlash she’s received over her controversial GQ cover and her racial jokes.

“It’s overwhelming to all of a sudden have a lot of eyes on me and people really dissecting everything I’m doing lately … But I’m not going anywhere.”

[Image: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for GQ]