So, a few days ago, we watched a documentary called "Miss Representation," and after having watched this, I had a sort of "epiphany." It really changed my perspective about the media and how both women and girls are portrayed in the media. As many of us may know, the media is everywhere! It's crazy how many places you can see the media's presence - magazines, the television, newspapers, etc. Now, I'm not saying that I am completely against media, that's not it at all. The media is a way to stay active in the world, and get to know what goes on in the world. However, I am opposed to the fact that women are perceived in such derogatory and sexist ways, especially the women who want to "make their mark on the world" and "leave a positive footprint." When women are shown like this, especially when children are watching, they start to think that it's an okay thing to do, or that women are supposed to be treated that way. For example, Hilary Clinton and Sarah Palin. Both of them worked hard to get to where they are now. They have an outstanding education and are very suited to have high political power. However, the only thing that the media looks at and shows us is their appearance, which is total BS! I think that, like one of the girls said in the documentary, women should be praised for their accomplishments, rather than their appearance. Women should be praised for being the "Best Doctor," having discovered a new medical vaccination, etc. Actually, if I had a boyfriend, I would actually rather have him say that I'm really smart, than say that I'm "hot" or "sexy." Not that I am...I think I'm beautiful. :) And I think all girls should have this thought in their minds. Girls need to focus more on inner beauty than outer beauty. I keep trying to teach my little sister this. That she is beautiful, no matter what anyone says. No matter how ugly she feels, she will always be beautiful in my eyes. I always try to compliment her talents - she loves to sing, and she sings her heart out! I also try to teach my little brother how to treat a girl. I always tell him not to do drugs, and not to be tempted by alcohol and all those types of things, because they are dangerous. But I think the most important thing I have tried to instill in him is how to treat girls, and all people in general. I try to tell him that he doesn't have to do something if he doesn't want to, and not to follow the crowd if they are doing something that he doesn't think is right. As well, to stand up for people who he sees are getting hurt. I feel like it's my duty to tell them this, because if I don't, then who will?
There is also the idea that women criticize way too much. And I strongly believe this. Growing up, I have always been surrounded by a "negative energy", and I learned early on that it's okay to judge people, since I saw others do that. But this had a major impact on me as I was growing up, and even so today. I'm always scared about the types of things others might say about how I look, and what I wear - if it shows too much skin, or if it's a type of style that's not a "fad".
And I think that the fact that I have heard so many people verbally "bag" on women, has a huge impact on my siblings and I. Actually today, when I got home from school, I turned on the TV, and my little sister was there, and we were watching the Family channel. She made a remark about the Frog Princess, since there was a short clip on the movie. And she said, "I hope the frog isn't white."
Shocked that my little sister could even say that, I said, "Why"
And she said, "Because if he is white, they wouldn't look good together."
And I said, "Hey, that's not very nice. Don't say anything like that ever again!"
I just find it scary that a 10 year old girl would even say that, or even notice something like that. There was also another time when we were, again, watching TV and she said, "That girl is so pretty!"
And I said, "I know! She is."
And she said, "Ugh, I'm so jealous."
And it sort of opened my eyes to the fact that my little sister is growing up in a society which shows girls what "pretty" is. I feel like we are forced to conform into this type of mold that society has created. We have created a society which tells girls that they are only beautiful if they wear this or that, or act in a promiscuous way, etc. I feel like, as an immigrant, that I have had to conform to the traditional Canadian ways. And ever since I came here, there has always been that struggle to fit in and be "normal." But then again, who's to say what's normal anymore? Who can say what's beautiful? We, as human beings, can make our own type of beauty, and see it in the way we want to see it. The same goes for "normality." We create our own "normal."
I'm just trying to protect the younger generation of my home from viewing the media as the only way to see what's normal. There have been instances when I have been so insecure about my body and how much I weigh, that I went online to check out what is the actual normal weight for me. And I was in the normal range, and I felt like I still wasn't good enough. I was surrounded by so much "bad energy," that I led myself to believe that I'll never be skinny enough, or good enough for anyone to like me. And I feel like for girls, there is always that pressure to have someone there to compliment you and to be there for you. But I feel like girls need to love themselves first, before they can love somebody else.
It's like this, you have a "love box." And in this love box is the love that you feel for yourself. You have to overflow that love box with the love you have for yourself, so that the overflow can go to the person you love. You get it?
I know this has been a long "vent," but I have a lot of feelings about this documentary. I've actually been planning a "Girl's Club" for school, but I didn't know who to go to for sponsorship for the club. But I have a lot of ideas. The club is just a way for girls to connect and stay positive about themselves. It's a way for girls to have high self-esteem. And I know that this may start to sound like a feminist group, but it's not, it's just a way to help girls be okay with themselves and accept themselves. I've been thinking about this club for a while, and I've wanted to take action, but I feel like we won't get a positive response from the school, meaning that no one would come. But if I can't get the club started in the school, maybe I should start with our Get Fit class.
Anyways, whoever you are that has read until this point, and endured all my talking, and seen my last post, just remember to "Keep Calm and Stay Beautiful," whatever that may mean to you. :)
Love yourself always, and stay strong through those tough times!
Thanks for reading. :)
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