Review
of “Miss Representation”
The first five minutes
of the film shot raw images to our eyes and a catchy “Metric” song streamed
through our ears, capturing my attention immediately. Enduring the hour and
half documentary without getting off my feet and yelling in agreement with Miss
Rachel Madow was a struggle in its self. This should be a clear indication of
how close this film hit to home. I bet that all of the women that walked out of
the Auditorium felt a bit more unionized and empowered, because I sure did.
The message they wanted
us to receive is how the media portrays women and how that affects youth,
politics and the future of America and our children. Interviews with the scandalous
newscasters were eye opening, and how many feel the need to degenderize in
order to get their point across, even though the majority of the time the
discussion is on what they’re wearing and not what they’re saying. Statistics
like 78 % of 17 year olds are unhappy with their body, and 17 % of them
self-injure are alarming, and should be taken as a call to action.
What may have startled
me the most was the question of whether or not we were ready for a female
president. The film showed the thoughts of mostly FOX News Staff and their
patriarchal way of thinking, and women being represented in an inferior and belittling
light. This got me wondering if I thought that a woman could become president,
and if she was just as capable as a man. For a second I hesitated, doubting that
a woman could become president, and I consider myself to be a moderate
feminist. This is when I realized that something DOES have to change, and that
if our youth, like me, doubt even for an instant that we’re not just as human
as man, then our gender is going to be silenced for years to come.
Title: Response to Gears heart. I said this before, and I don't mind repeating myself, I want Geena Davis as my commander and chief. I want a steady, fair, brilliant, compassionate individual to represent me. Before I saw this documentary, I was under the impression that women had become captain planet, but the issue stems from a lack of acknowledgment and respect. Injustice will appear, but it is how we handle it, and not for one single moment should it be tolerated. Our challenge as a society is speaking up, because we are all conditioned to a degree. Human dignity requires recognition, not a gender role assigned. Now is the time to start serving up a little "thanks for getting us along since the beginning of time, not mentioning anyone in particular, women". No matter how a human is packaged, we need to strip the labels, the pretence, and sincerely work towards a meaningful shift. Let the women in this film inspire you, look for sincere inspiration in any form, give yourself due credit, and I pinky promise you’ll begin to feel a shift.
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