Subliminal Mind
Have you ever heard the story of the chubby nerdy guy winning the hot popular girl? He has no hopes of winning the attention of his crush, but through his endearing and bumbling misadventures he wins her affection. It has been told countless times over through movies, books, and TV shows.
While watching the recent Bay Watch movie, this story was played out again. Audiences left the theatre with the heartwarming message that you don’t have to be perfect to be loved. However, it struck me that we lack the stories with the roles reserved. When does the nerdy chubby girl get the popular guy?
Fashion, movies, magazines, and ads bombard girls and women today. Open up Facebook, BAM! an ad for lip plummer. Turn on the news, BAM! a commercial for Jenny Craig. Walk through the mall, BAM! anorexic sized models pull you into clothing stores. Are these the images and messages we want young girls to grow up believing?
Here’s my question, why does society think it’s endearing when a guy is chubby and nerdy, but not a girl? Gender prejudices are beginning to be addressed. Dress code and pay inequalities are coming into the light as young women are speaking out against the societal double standards.
Young girls are taking the fight to their schools by organizing protests about unfair dress code standards. This past spring, 6th grader Molly Neuner led a #iamnotadistraction protest at her middle school. Molly wanted to draw attention to the message being told to young girls that they’re a distraction to boys’ learning based on the clothing they wear. This movement has continued to spread across the country. More and more schools are reviewing their dress codes and working towards making adjustments that don’t propagate the message that a girl is a distraction because of her body.
If young women are able to stand up against gender inequality, the role models and leaders of society must take up this fight as well. We are all responsible for the messages our society conveys.
For instance, look at the problems Uber has been facing. From Susan Fowler’s blog post addressing the widespread sexism and harassment facing women working at Uber to the recent sexist comment made by David Bonderman, Uber has been at the center of controversy. Again, we see the same problem that women are being considered subservient to men.
While it is easy to vilify Uber, I have been seeing some positive changes. Immediately after Bonderman’s sexist comment, he was let go from the board. Travis Kalanick, Uber’s CEO, was forced to resign to usher in a new period of positive leadership. These changes hopefully will signify a new start to Uber’s culture.
Without Fowler’s stand against the discrimination she faced, these changes may never have happened. Sexism would still be the norm. The world needs more women like Fowler who aren’t afraid to face retaliation to make the world a better place.
Our actions and attitudes, conscious or not, either build into or overcome gender inequalities. So, until movie-goers are treated to movies embracing the stories of all people, let us speak and act consciously of the impact we have on others.
