Dear filmmakers, directors, writers, tv producers and pretty much anyone involved in the entertainment industry:
Please stop giving women a moment.
We understand that in keeping up with the times and women’s rights, it’s important to display strong female characters. Because we’re lapping it up. We also understand that, as creatives, you do not want to compromise the storyline but you have a certain criteria to fill, which includes that “empowering” moment for us humble gals to feel like we’re just great for a minute.
But, not like this.
It is actually far more insulting, as women, to be given a quick, improperly thought-out scene to appeal to our feminine pride than it is to just avoid it completely. While enjoying a film that is likely to be predominantly about men, we do not need a moment to stroke our ego, because for us, being a woman is not a moment. We do not require a little pat on the back to tell us that we did good with a couple of ‘boss lady’ lines before returning to the actual plot. We’re a lot more than just some sassy words or a quick jibber-jabber about how strong we are even though we are women. Show us, don’t tell us.
By giving female representation such little thought with painfully brief and patronising instances, you’re actually hindering the progress we’re working so hard to make. We do not require a “look, we can do things too,” situations.
Which seems a little un-evolved, don’t you think?
We can do a whole load of things and if you can’t depict that properly, don’t bless us with a single thought and just do it anyway.
We’re not devastated or pent up that the Avengers are mostly men and it doesn’t make us question our abilities as women that the Men in Black are exactly as the name suggests. We’re not here to push men out of their roles and graffiti “wo” on the front of every “man.” Women do not need to replace men at every turn, we’ve got our own shoes to fill.
Our representation should not be based on improving what men have done prior and we’re not looking to become a “girls only” planet. Men are doing some pretty great things too. We’re not under the illusion that they don’t exist, we’re pretty clued on and we know they are out there.
There are plenty of films which feature strong, female leads that we can relate and aspire to (and we’re working to see even more) and that’s the reason we watch them. If you want to really appeal to the fairer sex, include a woman who is essential to the plot line, who makes a difference and helps drive the story forward. If you can’t do a good job of that, just forget it.
Let’s get this straight, woman are phenomenal. We always have been. The only difference between now and our history is that we are finally allowed to show it off and be heard. We are welcoming you into our world and showing you what we are capable of, so if you want to use that to gain more fans, don’t be lazy with it. Represent us. Tell our stories. Show us in all our glory.