The impact of Miss Representation

So, I just finished watching the documentary, "Miss Representation" which was featured on the Oprah Winfrey Network a few days ago. Thank goodness for my DVR, otherwise I probably would've missed it. Anyway, I wanted to write briefly about the experience while it was still fresh in my mind. For those of you who haven't heard of this film yet, or perhaps have not yet gotten around to watching it, here is the film's trailer:

In addition to the film, which I encourage everyone to watch, there is an affiliated organization which you can visit by clicking this link.

The film does, in my humble opinion, a great job of illustrating several points, including the normalization within our society of the objectification of women.


This is not just a woman's issue. One of the aspects of the film which I appreciated was that it did not ignore how aspect of our culture affects men. And no, I don't mean the stereotypical, hyper-masculine, manly-man that the media would like us to believe every man in America strives to be. I mean the real, cares for their family, tries to do their best but makes mistakes along the way, is honest enough to admit he has emotions, isn't afraid to tell his kids "I love you" men.


There are a lot of little 'jewels' of wisdom shared throughout this film. I cannot overstate the potential this film has to spur some much needed conversation between people in our society. As I have said previously, if you have a woman in your life whom you care about...whether she's your wife, daughter, mother, cousin, girlfriend, just a friend, or even you...you should watch this film with them and talk about it.


But, enough of my pitching the film to you. It's available, and now you know about it. All that's left is for you to make some time and watch it. You'll be better for it.

Men are in Trouble??

          
          To be certain, the door to sexism swings both ways and today, CNN contributor William J. Bennett, swung that door pretty well both ways. In his article, "Why men are in trouble", which appeared on CNN.com, Mr. Bennett made a valiant effort to provide men with a wake up call. Unfortunately, that wake up call was comprised of part fact, part privilege, and part fiction.

          Mr. Bennett cited information about contemporary women earning more college degrees than men. True. According to a 2012 Census Bureau statistical abstract, women are earning more Associates through Masters degrees than men. This accomplishment however, was not able to stand on it's own because according to Mr. Bennett "The data does not bode well for men". This statement apparently does not take into account the fact that men are also earning more Associates through Masters degrees than they did previously. In fact, the data shows a progressive increase in the number of degrees both sexes earn.

          Mr. Bennett then cited unemployment rates for his argument on the downfall of men, citing that in the 1950s, 5% of prime, working age men were unemployed vs. 20% as of last year. Again, what Mr. Bennett fails to mention is that in the 1950s, the employment to population ratio for men was over 80%, compared to roughly 63% currently. Conversely, women's employment to population ratio in the 1950s was only about 30%, compared to roughly 53% currently. Of course, even though there are fewer of the overall male population in the workplace nowadays, Mr. Bennett does mention that men do still hold the majority of "highest paid and most powerful occupations". But watch out men, because according to Mr. Bennett, "women are catching them and will soon be passing them if this trend continues".

          And now Mr. Bennett departs from what I would consider to be his more rational argument (if there were such a thing) and enters into a much more subjective field. Mr. Bennett states that men are also in trouble because there is an increase in fatherless households and out-of-wedlock child births, and a decrease in church attendance. Mr. Bennett continues by commenting about the "dubious" lessons available through music, television, and video games (I think I'm having a Pat Robertson flashback). And then it becomes more clear...

          Who, it would seem according to Mr. Bennett, is in trouble is the majority. Allow me to be very specific here. The majority in this country, for whom the thought of losing our societal position as such (which frightens some), is white, heterosexual, Christian men. To be sure, there is nothing wrong with being any of these, so long as one doesn't go around making statements about other categories of people (women, Black, Asian, LGBT, etc.) and how their achievements are going to somehow cause some type of harm or are to the detriment of another group.

          See, it's not so much about the majority losing the privilege that we have become so accustomed to, (And I say we, because I am certainly among that majority (in some aspects) and have enjoyed that unearned privilege throughout my life so I am quite capable of discussing it), as it is about that privilege being more equally distributed. Note I said more equally distributed and not just equally. We're not there yet. But then again, these things don't happen overnight.


          So what I hear you saying Mr. Bennett, is that the glory days of the privileged White, heterosexual, Christian male seems to be drawing nigh. I say not. I believe that we are finding ourselves a more appropriate place in society. A place that is among our peers, instead of over them and surely better for all.