"'This... stuff'? Oh. Okay. I see. You think this has nothing to do with you. You go to your closet and you select... I don't know... that lumpy blue sweater, for instance because you're trying to tell the world that you take yourself too seriously to care about what you put on your back. But what you don't know is that that sweater is not just blue, it's not turquoise. It's not lapis. It's actually cerulean. And you're also blithely unaware of the fact that in 2002, Oscar de la Renta did a collection of cerulean gowns. And then I think it was Yves Saint Laurent... wasn't it who showed cerulean military jackets? I think we need a jacket here. And then cerulean quickly showed up in the collections of eight different designers. And then it, uh, filtered down through the department stores and then trickled on down into some tragic Casual Corner where you, no doubt, fished it out of some clearance bin. However, that blue represents millions of dollars and countless jobs and it's sort of comical how you think that you've made a choice that exempts you from the fashion industry when, in fact, you're wearing the sweater that was selected for you by the people in this room from a pile of stuff.” Miranda (forever my idol Meryl Streep) explains to Andy (the beautiful Anne Hathaway) in The Devil Wears Prada, on why two belts that look the same are not because of fashion. Due to this past weekend of the Women’s March that occurred all over the world, I thought I would dedicate this blog post to all the strong ass woman out there and to remind them that not all movies are misogynistic and that its main purpose is to ruin any credibility woman (or sometimes men too) have in this world. This film along with others like Brave, Mamma Mia, Hunger Games, Salt, Kill Bill… just to name a few, features strong, courageous and determined woman that does not fall into a damsel in distress character, yet one that may be “expected” as a males role.
Now first I want to state I am a feminist the preaches EQUALITY, I do not think women are superior over men but that we are all equal (including racial and sexual orientation as well). However, seeing something that stands out of norm, such as a beauty kicking ass in heels and being a superhero with red lipstick pasted on… gets me so hyped and feel so empowered as a woman! Not to run circles around men, but to feel as empowered and strong as they are perceived to be.
The “me too” campaign has been all over social media so lets not pretend that any of you have not seen it. It truly has made a change in this world! To have a campaign that shares how many people have been sexually assaulted or know someone who has is INSANELY courageous and great! 1.7 million women and men, in 85 countries, have used the #metoo hashtag (reference link on CNN). I believe it can be used for both genders as well, I have seen way too many videos of women and men talking about that time… or how they cannot forget… or how much they hurt, it is all around us with any gender, any age, any race and any sexual orientation. Am I saying this hashtag is going to make an actual change on sexual harassment? No, but after seeing the amount of people sharing their stories or concern or support, I believe more will be done about it. With organizations that support victims and push to stop it, the law system and regulations on sentencing, and authority just cracking down more on people that are looked up to by statute, like celebrities and people in parliament. We all heard the allegations of Kevin Spade, and even George W. Bush. Women (and men) standing up and being a part of this movement, makes me still have pride and hope in civilization.
To end this brief (yet so important) blog I want to quote a statement that my girl Aly Raisman (a USA Olympic Gymnastics star) made in her speech to the court and to her abuser (her old gymnastics doctor) Larry Nassar. The speech was about sentencing him for the pain he has caused to her and 70 other gymnastic legends and young girls. However, she did not make it as negative as everyone would of thought, but shared the strength of her and the other ladies that were there coming forth to put him away. "Larry, you do realize now that we, this group of women you so heartlessly abused over such a long period of time, are now a force, and you are nothing.” LIKE OH SNAP! YOU TELL HIM GIRL! When I listened to her speech, I was expecting to cry, but a rush of empowerment just came over me. I have never personally been sexually harassed but know people that have been, and her speech along with many other movements that have been occurring recently… I know we all have the strength to get through this pain and push to greatness!
Though this blog wasn't centred around film, I believe I have shared a message to all of you: Be a strong woman today and for your whole life, then teach strength to women that come after you!
Love;
Rachel
Want more hit you in the stomach and make you feel real reality? Follow my Instagram page True20something, or search the hashtag #true20something. MUAH
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