Miss Representation - Ellie Merrell

            I am now a huge fan of “Miss Representation”. Even though we had already talked about many of the concepts discussed in the documentary during class, I was still very engaged, interested, stunned, and appalled by the film. Throughout the entire time I viewed the movie I kept thinking, THIS IS ALL SO WRONG WHY AREN’T MORE PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT THESE THINGS.

            I was more than a little discouraged to learn that women have not only ceased to make gains in putting themselves on the same playing field as men, but are now moving backwards. Less women are involved in politics or striving to occupy powerful, CEO-type jobs typically held by men. This is not good. In fact, this is very bad. I think that there should be more leadership programs offered to middle school, high school, and college-aged girls. I also fully support many of the women interviewed in the film who called for more images of strong, intelligent women in the media. Women, especially young women, need respectable, driven role models to counter the current images they see of women like the real housewives or the Kardashians.

            Unfortunately, the film also at times made me feel a sense of hopelessness. When the most influential means of communication and agents of change are controlled by men, the likelihood of being able to introduce a woman’s perspective and voice into the mix is not high. What are we supposed to do about that? I guess one of the women interviewed in the film provided a sufficient answer- women must be really good at what they do. They must be so good that they cannot possibly be denied access to the fields they wish to enter.

            Finally, I whole-heartedly support the documentary’s suggestion during its closing minutes that women unite and support one another for mutual gain. When women are holding other women to impossible standards dictated by men and are policing and reinforcing stereotypes by pressuring peers to conform, progress is going to be made slowly. Additionally, it becomes far easier for men to maintain a position of privilege.