Pitch perfect - every single note. I haven’t seen Barbie yet, but i have heard America Ferrara’s monologue and thought exactly the same. How in the world is this news???
Women are forever caught in Goldilock principle - we’re either too much or never enough, damned if we do or don’t. From the box to the wall, indeed.
And yes, of all I’ve read about Sinead O’Connor, I think I too was most moved by Katherine May’s essay - brilliant.
To speak to how America Ferrerra’s speech might be news to someone, I think it’s important to remember that the Barbie movie is meant to be welcoming to a wide audience. There’s a significant swathe of the population that voluntarily lives in a “happily” submissive relationship to patriarchy. “Let a man be a man. Let men be the kings of the house and support them as God wants us to and then they will protect us.” This is real. This is widespread. Her speech is perfectly pitched for the people who need to hear it most.
And there’s a spectrum, too, of course, with this conscious/unconscious embrace of patriarchy. Many, many women are not so far along it as the above but are still operating hard and feeling these pressures and accepting them as normal.
I saw this movie with my husband and youngest son and I felt glad they were having all of this driven home on a large screen in stereo. I could feel the message going in for each of them a little more deeply than they would have probably claimed.
And in our culture at large this is *absolutely* still news. Pan out farther into the world and this kind of messaging could get a person killed.
Saying “Oh god, this is so 101, beneath 101” widens a divide that’s better narrowed. Power will move among the non-male more effectively with that divide narrowed. More people invited in where they are = more people to band together and claim power.
I hear what you're saying. I even agree with 99% of it. And I actually really enjoyed the movie, to be clear.
And, and, and (!!!) there are women suffering and dying right this minute because the majority of people, the majority of women, are so far behind on these issues, which have been being raised in the culture for over SIXTY YEARS. I realized a long time ago that there are many roles to play in the raising of consciousness around misogyny, racism, classism, and on and on. We need people who can meet beginners where they are and draw them in with patience and compassion and I am not that one. However, I can meet those folks at the next stage, the 202 level if you will, and be of use. My rage, which was unfortunately earned the hard way, doesn’t make me good with the 101s, and I’m okay with that.
The cultural progress we've made is commendable, but your reminder that vulnerability and authenticity can still be commodified and exploited by capitalism hits hard. It's crucial for us to cherish and support those who speak their truth, as O'Connor did, and ensure they are not treated as mere products for consumption.
Pitch perfect - every single note. I haven’t seen Barbie yet, but i have heard America Ferrara’s monologue and thought exactly the same. How in the world is this news???
Women are forever caught in Goldilock principle - we’re either too much or never enough, damned if we do or don’t. From the box to the wall, indeed.
And yes, of all I’ve read about Sinead O’Connor, I think I too was most moved by Katherine May’s essay - brilliant.
Thank you Asha ~
To speak to how America Ferrerra’s speech might be news to someone, I think it’s important to remember that the Barbie movie is meant to be welcoming to a wide audience. There’s a significant swathe of the population that voluntarily lives in a “happily” submissive relationship to patriarchy. “Let a man be a man. Let men be the kings of the house and support them as God wants us to and then they will protect us.” This is real. This is widespread. Her speech is perfectly pitched for the people who need to hear it most.
And there’s a spectrum, too, of course, with this conscious/unconscious embrace of patriarchy. Many, many women are not so far along it as the above but are still operating hard and feeling these pressures and accepting them as normal.
I saw this movie with my husband and youngest son and I felt glad they were having all of this driven home on a large screen in stereo. I could feel the message going in for each of them a little more deeply than they would have probably claimed.
And in our culture at large this is *absolutely* still news. Pan out farther into the world and this kind of messaging could get a person killed.
Saying “Oh god, this is so 101, beneath 101” widens a divide that’s better narrowed. Power will move among the non-male more effectively with that divide narrowed. More people invited in where they are = more people to band together and claim power.
I hear what you're saying. I even agree with 99% of it. And I actually really enjoyed the movie, to be clear.
And, and, and (!!!) there are women suffering and dying right this minute because the majority of people, the majority of women, are so far behind on these issues, which have been being raised in the culture for over SIXTY YEARS. I realized a long time ago that there are many roles to play in the raising of consciousness around misogyny, racism, classism, and on and on. We need people who can meet beginners where they are and draw them in with patience and compassion and I am not that one. However, I can meet those folks at the next stage, the 202 level if you will, and be of use. My rage, which was unfortunately earned the hard way, doesn’t make me good with the 101s, and I’m okay with that.
The cultural progress we've made is commendable, but your reminder that vulnerability and authenticity can still be commodified and exploited by capitalism hits hard. It's crucial for us to cherish and support those who speak their truth, as O'Connor did, and ensure they are not treated as mere products for consumption.
Ashira
https://www.ashiratantra.com/
Beautiful and true.
Thank you, love.
Wow, Asha. This sums it up so well. This insight! Yes.
Thank you, MB. I really appreciate that.
Beautifully expressed Asha, I hope you don’t mind me sharing this on the dreaded Facebook?
❤️
Not at all! Please do. ❤️