More Skin=More Empowerment

In the 1960s, women began reviving their personal independence from what society believed a woman should be through fashion.  During this time period, women began expressing their freedom through the infamous mini skirt and it was an outrage.  Society believed that descent ladies should not be taking part in the rebellious mod style; however, the youth had different opinions.  The mod look was in and it gave women a freedom that had not been felt since the flappers kissed goodbye their long locks and corsets. Women were wearing mini skirts because they wanted to and because they could.

Women viewed these skirts as empowering tools that allowed them to do things they couldn’t do before.  Tangibly speaking, they could walk with more ease and show off their figures.  Psychologically, the skirts sparked passion, determination, and self-rule amongst females.  These differences were greatly reflected in several protests that women took part in, including the Civil Rights Movement.  Undoubtedly, women were forcing themselves into politics and the professional world by earning various employment opportunities, among other benefits, through policies like the Equal Pay Act.  The women of the 1960s changed fashion rules to show that neither clothes nor politics would limit their identities.

Women, today, continue to shock the world through fashion to re-initiate ‘Girl Power.’  Jennifer Lopez’s infamous Versace gown is a perfect example.  Lopez has established herself as one of the most successful business women in today’s society, which is precisely why she wore that dress.  Jennifer Lopez wanted to remind the public that she could wear whatever she wants because, at the end of the day, she is the one writing the checks.

Although Lopez wasn’t sporting a mini skirt on this red carpet, her message exemplifies that this liberating mentality from the ‘60s, in parallel to women’s fashion and status, is still very present.  Women have achieved a sense of freedom in various aspects of society, which also translates into clothing.  Women now become what they want to be, wear what they want to wear, and do what they want to do because of the 1960s mini skirt.

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Mini Skirts, Cleavage, and Rights?

In the 1960s, women were reviving their personal independence from what society believed a woman should be.  During this time period, women began wearing mini skirts, sleeveless tops, and baby doll dresses.  To many, this was an outrage.  It was inappropriate for women to show bare skin, which was how the pantyhose came about, and vibrant, mod outfits were not ideal for a practical young lady.  However, the youth had different opinions.  The mod look was in style and it gave women a freedom that had not been felt since the flappers kissed goodbye their long locks and corsets.  Women were wearing mini skirts, mini dresses, stilettos, and many were experimenting with different hairstyles because they wanted to.

This drastic change in style was clearly a reflection of the political changes of the decade.  Women were using revealing and bold fashion to express the Civil Rights Movement that gave way in the 1960s, where African Americans and women alike were fighting for their rights.  Among other political changes, the Equal Pay Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 gave women several employment opportunities.  The women of the 1960s wanted to show that neither clothes nor politics would limit their identities.

Today, women have taken their shocking fashion to a whole new level.  Jennifer Lopez’s infamous Versace gown is a perfect example of this; however, as provocative as that dress was, Jennifer Lopez has established herself as one of the most successful business women in today’s society.  Perhaps she was proving that no one was going to tell her what she needed to where because, at the end of the day, she is the one writing the checks.

Lopez exemplifies that this liberating mentality from the ‘60s, in parallel to women’s fashion and status, is still very present.  Women have achieved a higher place in nearly all aspects of society, giving them a sense of independence and freedom, which also translates into clothing.  Walk down any street and every woman will be wearing what she wants to be wearing because she knows she can.

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11:11... Make a Wish!

Picture yourself before any traumatizing research papers, before all the sleepless nights, before Spark Notes became your best friend, and before you even knew what SATs were and you’ll realize that that is where it all began.  I was about three years old and I was desperate to go to school.  I wanted no business spending half of my day inside the house, while my brother and sister got to learn and make friends.  Eventually, my desperation led my mom to decide to play “school” with me.  I thought that nothing in the world, probably with the exception of Barney, could top this magical game which satisfied my never ending lust for kindergarten.  As often as we could, my mother and I would play “school” and it was always the highlight of my day.  My mom would get out a chalkboard and be my teacher, while I would get out my desk and be her student.  Every time we played, she would give me new assignments, ask me different questions, and even assign homework, even if it was just coloring a picture or writing my name.  She would always help me practice counting, reading, writing, and basically any other thing that a child would want to learn.  It’s amazing how back then I longed for schoolwork, while now I find myself longing more for a break from it.  Well, you know what they say.  Be careful what you wish for!

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Me, Myself, and I

I am a Puerto Rico native.  I am a Maryland resident.  I am a student.  I am a dancer.  I am a photographer.  I am a writer.  I am a daughter.  I am a sister.  I am a friend.  I love to laugh.  I love to cry.  I love to travel.  I love to relax.  I love to learn.  I love to give.  I love to snuggle.  I am all of this and much, much more.  All of these points make up only some of the small chapters in what is my story.  The story of a creative, yet studious, mind.  The story of a “boricua” learning how to properly mix two very different cultures.  The story of exploring the narrative and emotion found in dance, pictures, and words.  The story of coping with divorce, death, and almost all forms of loss.  Most of all, the story of Tatiana.

Do you want to learn more about Puerto Rico?
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