A
M O RTAL S I N
FEMINISM AND THE CHURCH IN MODERN RUSSIA
BACKGROUND
"All the defendants talked about being
feminists and said that is allowed in the
Russian Orthodox church…
This does not correspond with reality.
Feminism is a mortal sin"
- Yelena Pavlova, Prosecuter against Pussy Riot
On February 21, 2012 five members of the anonymous feminist punk band “Pussy Riot” stormed onto the altar of Moscow’s
Cathedral of Christ the Savior and began to perform their “Punk Prayer”, an anti-Vladimir Putin song with lyrics that begged
“Virgin Mary, Mother of God; become a feminist, we pray thee”. The women performed for approximately 30 seconds before
security guards escorted them from the church. Members Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina were sentenced to
prison for two years on charges of “hooliganism motivated by religious hatred”. Yekaterina Samutsevich, received a suspended
sentence after her appeal was approved. Other members of Pussy Riot remain in hiding today. Internationally, Pussy Riot has
become a symbol of feminism and the anti-Putin movement in Russia. At home, they are overwhelmingly disliked.
RESEARCH QUESTION
My hypothesis is that because the women of
Pussy Riot are unpopular in Russia, they have
hurt people’s opinions of feminism.
I sought to dissect the current state of feminism in Russia. Did the actions of this particular group
of women reflect the feminist feelings of the time? Pussy Riot has become the international face
of Russian Feminism abroad, but what about in Russia? What role does religion play in their
unpopularity? And primarily: did Pussy Riot change perceptions of feminism in contemporary
Russia?
Pictured Above (Left to Right): Pussy Riot members Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina with Madonna, Pussy Riot on series House of Cards, Masha and Nadya on The Colbert Report, Pussy Riot at the trial, Masha and Nadya in Vogue
“What has Pussy Riot
ever done for me?
Nothing.”
-Valentina, 33
“I am my boyfriend’s
business card”
- Olga, 24
“We have no husbands, we have no
children… we should be feminists!”
- Natasha, 37
“Well, that makes
sense, you need that
in America. Women
are still oppressed
by men there”
- Katya, 28
“Feminism?
We already
had that”
- Natasha, 37
METHODS
The research consisted of a mixture of
participant observation and interviews.
All of the interviews took place in either
Moscow or St. Petersburg, while participant
observation was conducted in twelve
different cities in Russia. I conducted over 30
interviews with women ranging in age from
18 to 84.
I recruited women to interview either
randomly in parks or cafes, or I met women at
social clubs, such as the language exchange
club organized by the “couch surfing” social
network.
Participant Observation locations: Churches,
Parks and Public Transportation
RESULTS
Russian Feminism
During my time in Russia, I discovered that there are two accepted
definitions of feminism: The first definition, which is more widely
recognized by older generations, is the definition left over from the early
Soviet period that focuses on women and men being equal in the work
place. The second definition, the definition generally accepted by the
younger generations, views feminism as man-hating philosophy focused
on “money and politeness.”
I met only two women who identified as feminists
Gender in Churches and Public Spaces
Perceptions of Pussy Riot
Women are more religious than men
The most common answer to my question of “what do you think of Pussy
Riot” was “I don’t like them”
Strict gender norms are adhered to in public spaces
Twice women expressed sentiments that the punishment they received
might have been too harsh
Russian families are in many ways matriarchal
Women are expected to work but also run the home and raise the children
Women are a majority in Russia in both population and in the work force
Religion seemed to have little affect on what women thought of feminism
Many of the women I talked to expressed sentiments that are markedly
feminist but said they did not support feminism
Women who identified as very religious disliked Pussy Riot more than
their less religious peers
The atheists I spoke with seemed less offended by the group and more
annoyed by the attention they have received. Anna, a 22 year old
students, wished “that people would stop giving them all this attention, it
is only making the problem worse”
Most women were surprised when I asked if Pussy Riot had any effect on
their opinion of feminism- they held no connection between feminism
and Pussy Riot
Red Square, Moscow, Russia, View of the Kremlin from the Moscow River, the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow, Call of the Motherland WWII Memorial in Volgograd, Church in Samara, Soviet sculpture in Moscow
ANALYSIS
The findings show that there is a disconnect
between how women in Russia look at
feminism and how they look at Pussy Riot
Women may mot agree with feminism or think it is
relevant, but they still view it as a legitimate movement
with Pussy Riot as a illegitimate representative
My theory : Pussy Riot was stripped of their political clout
through the trial process and are therefore not viewed as
feminist
The women of Pussy Riot were put on trial for hooliganism
with anti-religious intent, but all three women specifically
stated how they were “not anti-church”, they were against
corruption and against Putin
Feminism in Russia has always been politically motivated
so groups like FEMEN are not popular but are considered
more respectable than Pussy Riot because or their political
edge
The general Russian population sees Pussy Riot as “silly
girls” because that was how they were portrayed in their
trial and in the Russian media
Special thanks to Olya Samilenko, Ami Cox, Steven David, Ellen Bruner, Grace
Mumby, the Woodrow Wilson Program and my family.
In the end, I found that Pussy Riot had no effect on perceptions of feminism in
Russia. This fact raises even more questions such as: What does it mean for a people
to become symbols for a movement that does not want them? Why did the least
popular Russians become so popular internationally and what does this say about
Russia’s place in the contemporary world? Additionally, what does the future of
Russian feminism entail? These are questions that I cannot answer, but I believe will
be relevant as Pussy Riot gains more celebrity internationally and continue to be
hated at home.
Images:
"[Image - 665947] | Pussy Riot." Know Your Meme News. Shaheen, Suzanne. "Photographer Taryn Simon on Shooting
"February 4, 2014 - Pussy Riot." Colbert News Hub. 5
Web. 24 Apr. 2015.
Pussy Riot and the Politics of Media." Web. 24 Apr. 2015.
Feb. 2014. Web. 24 Apr. 2015.
<http://knowyourmeme.com/photos/665947-pussy-riot>. <http://www.vogue.com/946796/taryn-simon-interview<http://www.colbertnewshub.com/2014/02/05/february-4- Mohr, Ian. "Madonna Parties with Pussy Riot." Web. 24 Apr. pussy-riot-image-atlas/>.
2014-pussy-riot/>.
2015. <http://pagesix.com/2014/02/07/madonna-partieswith-pussy-riot/>.
"Pussy Riot Guest on House of Cards." Pussy Riot Guest on
House of Cards. Web. 24 Apr. 2015.
<http://www.3news.co.nz/entertainment/pussy-riot-gueston-house-of-cards-2015030312#axzz3YF2hWK7B>.