The Moving Tree
In society, women are expected to play multiple roles all at the same time. These roles can consist of being a wife, girlfriend, mother, daughter and sometimes a sibling to name a few. With all the titles that are places on you, do you ever feel the pressure of being a woman? I certainly do, I feel them everyday because of the constant pressure that society has placed on woman. We have to stop this unrealistic pressure that are place on us to be these perfect human being. In the song “Every Woman” by Chaka Khan stated, “I’m every woman, it all in me, anything you want done baby, I can do it naturally” Well, I’m not so sure of that, Ms. Chaka Khan! Yes, I’m capable of doing everything and anything, however, do I want to do anything, as Chaka mention in her song? No And naturally? Hell No!
The title “The Moving Tree” is a metaphor for a woman who has to play every role and do everything all the times. The stems of the tree represent the roles we play and the branches are the extension to the role. For example, you’re a mother (stem) but you’re also a role model to your children’s friends (branch). Some roles we play are unintentional however they are still present.
In media, women are portrayed as a stay at home mother in popular television shows like Gloria played by Sofia Vergara in “Modern Family”. Gloria is a stay at home mom who is responsible for cooking, cleaning, raising their sons, and caring for their dog. Gloria takes on many roles, besides being a mother and a wife. She is also responsible for being sexy, in shape, wearing 5 inches stilettos, makeup on FLEEK, and ready for sex anytime her husband ask her. Is this shit real? Of course not, but this is what society expect from women. This is just one example on how media portrayed women.
On the other hand, you have shows like “Blackish” which the mother, Rainbow played by Tracee Ross who is a doctor and work outside the home is still responsible for cooking, cleaning and being the handyman while his husband lack these skills as it is displayed on the show. Not much has change throughout the years with women being portrayed in television as these show can be traced back in the 1950's with shows like “Leave it to Beaver” and in the 1960's, “I Dream of Jeannie”. These shows depict women as taking on multiply roles as their husband work outside from the home.
Wake up, ladies. Let’s stop allowing unrealistic expectations to be place on us and on how women are suppose to be. We need to protest media, and corporations who think it’s okay to manipulate women into thinking we are “moving tree”. We have to stand up, speak out and fight these misogyny and sexist views.
