This Changes Everything

Posted on October 5, 2022January 31, 2023 by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

This Changes Everything (2019)

During our month with Netflix, I’ve tried to be more focused about watching things from our list. I came across This Changes Everything and thought I’d just preview it for a few minutes to get a feel for it and then move on to something else for the evening. Well, an hour and a half later…

I really liked this film and think it is such an important one for people to see. This documentary discusses the underrepresentation and inequality faced by women in Hollywood. I think it’s important to note though, that the focus is on women. The stats, the interviews, the stories are about women in Hollywood. Looking at the low percentages of women writers or directors or female leads, I can only imagine how much smaller (to non-existent) that number is for people of color, transgender people, non-binary people, and so many more. And while this discrimination is obviously equally important to explore, This Changes Everything‘s focus is women. There were many criticisms I read about this in reviews, but I personally think it was important for the documentary to keep a focus. It would be like saying this film should have explored discrimination faced by women in all fields. The topic is women in Hollywood. Ok, moving on.

This Changes Everything was a big wake-up call for me. Even as it began, I seriously thought, ‘Oh, well, maybe this used to be the case, but certainly not now.’ But as more and more women shared their stories and statistics were given, I was shocked. I guess I didn’t fully realize things like why a big deal was made of Gerwig’s Little Women being directed, written, and produced by women. I don’t tend to watch a ton of movies and I can be a bit particular in what I choose to spend my time watching, so I’m not always ‘in the know.’ But, I think these low numbers would probably surprise most everyone. It’s interesting because I feel like the book world has made huge strides recently in representation. I can find everything from picture books to YA to adult about so many people’s stories. But, oddly, in the ‘open-minded’ Hollywood, this isn’t the case. And, as much as I far prefer and adore books, let’s be realistic – The average person is way more likely to experience story on the screen than in a book.

I can understand and appreciate that big change doesn’t happen overnight. So, seeing responses like these in this link of Hollywood women speaking up might seem awesome, but looong overdue. But I get it. It’s a process. Still, I was very surprised by the inequality that’s been happening in Hollywood this long. And when audiences continue to hear or see a story from a white, male perspective then that is what we think is the norm. I really loved Shannon Hale’s post about Do Boys Only Get to Read Half the Books? but it seems that female authors get more opportunities to storytell than females in Hollywood. It was interesting to think of that from the TV/movie perspective where the women’s perspective isn’t as readily an option. I heard several times in the documentary that studios weren’t sure if they were willing to risk telling a woman’s story for fear of losing half their audience. Seriously? So, much like Hale talks about, women are just expected to watch a male’s view, but men can’t do the same for women? (Or seriously, like I said, fill in the blank of any minority group.). Do we think so little of men?

And yet, another huge issue of (certain) men being at the helm of these productions has been the gross sexism and appalling behavior that women have had to deal with. Isn’t it fortunate for this male-centric bubble that the young female actors they most desperately want for these parts are also the ones trying so hard to navigate this new show-business world and become a success that they are more likely to put up with such bull crap? I loved one quote from the documentary – “Progress will happen when men stand. It’s the chivalry of the 21st century.” Although I don’t know much about FX, I loved seeing the male head of this channel really take it to heart that women and minorities were being so under-represented on the network. He did something about it. And, when big change and lots of change needs to happen, we really do need the help and support of people ‘on the inside.’ Much like the groups of men in the early 19th century whose votes would decide the fate of women’s suffrage. And to create change, we also need women to come together in community. So many of these male-centric stories have shown women pitted against one another in competition and that has influenced our culture. Even interviews will try to perpetuate this and keep women separate. We don’t all need to be BFFs, but women need to support each other and stand up for one another. Divided, alone, and silent is when we fall. We are stronger together.

And is this gender imbalance in production the same reason our cartoons have been so lopsided for so many years? Makes sense, I guess, if men are the ones writing and producing them. I remember when I was teaching elementary school, I used to do an exercise where I had the students think of a male cartoon character. Preferably a human-looking one for the sake of the exercise. What did he look like? What was he wearing? What were his hobbies? What did he spend his time talking about? And then, I asked them to do the same with a female character. Now, I know things have changed since I did this. I know they have. But, is it as balanced now as I’m assuming? At the time I was doing this with students, Tinker Bell had a huge comeback. This jealous, mean fairy from 1950s Peter Pan who wears very little clothing and spends a good amount of time pouting or playing mean tricks on the only other female? Yeah, her. (Link that is hilarious but rated-R) That is not a role model for young girls or an appropriate view of the female for any audience members. Characters like Tinker Bell are one of the reasons my children have not seen any of the classic Disney films. And, actually, it was the imbalance of females in cartoon movies that led Geena Davis (producer of This Changes Everything) to start her Institute on Gender in Media in the first place.

So, yes. We’ve had too many moments of “This Changes Everything!” in this and so many other aspects of the way our world is. But like that 100th monkey, I just have to believe that all these steps, whether small comebacks in an interview or large movements like MeToo and TimesUp, these will make a difference. And even though Hollywood, and specifically women in Hollywood, is one, just one, piece of a much, much bigger problem, every change helps. And whether we agree with it or not, people do look to movies, TV, and celebrities as guides from a young age and into adulthood. Seeing women’s stories, hearing women stand up for themselves, watching women finally be recognized for their talents and hard work, and not just the dresses they wear to the awards shows, these things all make a difference in how we all view ourselves and those in our lives. These people in Hollywood – actors, directors, writers, producers, interviewers, critics – they have great power and responsibility to create change.

1-minute video-Ask Better Questions
Tina Fey Talks About Hiring Women Comedy Writers

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Witches: The Transformative Power of Women Working Together

Posted on January 22, 2021February 6, 2021 by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

Witches: The Transformative Power of Women Working Together (2019)
by Sam George-Allen

(This book has SOoo much to reflect on that I know this post will be a series of digressions, and, for that, I apologize in advance.)

I picked this book up in a round-about way. After reading Anna Meriano’s Love Sugar Magic series with my seven-year-old, she was all about brujas (witches). There were spells and grinding of herbs and all sorts of make-believe happening here. As I usually do in these situations, I hopped online and ordered every single witch or spell book I could find at the local library.

Many of the books we ended up with weren’t quite what I was looking for at the time, but this one by Sam George-Allen pulled me in immediately. It’s a book written for adults, but this book reaches far beyond the reader. And while I didn’t read this to my daughter (yet), it will most certainly effect how I relate with her. This isn’t a book about potions and cauldrons and brooms. As the title explains, it’s a book about women coming together. The chapters in the book cover different groups of women–everything from farmers to dancers. Trans women to nuns. Every single chapter captivated me. I often fly through books that I enjoy as much as I did this one, but I think I knew early on that George-Allen’s book was going to require some serious time and thought on my part. I can honestly say this book has contributed to a big shift in my thinking and will continue to do so.

Like the author admits in the Introduction, I, too, have held some huge misconceptions about women in the past, despite calling myself a feminist. I was very swept up with the cultural idea that women were “drama,” and I spent a good part of my young adult life priding myself on the fact that most of my good friends were guys. I poked fun at cheerleaders and sororities, or, really, any sisterhood of women.

The shift to recognizing the importance of women in my life has been a gradual one. Years ago, I worked with a wonderful group of women who spoke often of women’s groups and the power of women getting together. And still it didn’t fully sink in for me. It was really my transition into motherhood (oddly, only in that the author clearly states she doesn’t aspire to be a mother) that really connected me with other women and helped me see the value and power in female friendships. Even though not all my good friends are mothers, and while I do very much respect and value women who consciously choose that path, I know that motherhood was my initiation into the female circle. Not because it hadn’t welcomed me previously, but because I hadn’t let it.

I remember taking rare and sacred walks by myself when my first-born was a baby. As I walked, I thought about the baby I had carried and the birthing I had been through, and I knew that despite fatigue and uncertainty in this new passage of life, I was absolutely THE strongest and proudest I had ever been. I remember passing by male friends in the neighborhood and waving and smirking to myself. I was a freakin’ warrior! They would never know the deep power I knew. I was connected to generation upon generation of women who had been through the same birthing rites. Motherhood put me in circles of midwives and moms at La Leche meetings. I connected with my friends who were mothers on a deeper and richer level. And, those deep bonds carried over into my friendships with women who don’t have kids as well. My relationships with the women in my family have also seen undeniable benefits since my initiation into motherhood. My circle of women now is strong and so important to my life.

The chapter in George-Allen’s book on make-up blew my mind. Just as in my admission earlier that I used to shy away from too many friendships with women, I’ve also let myself develop some pretty whacky ideas about hair and make-up. I considered these things way too “girly” for me. (And HOW and WHY did an actual word built from the word “girl” develop a negative connotation?! I’m embarrassed I’ve used it in such a way and for so long.) This book opened up my eyes to an amazing example of the powerful feminine right in front of me–our daughter. When she was a baby, I refused to put her in pink dresses or headbands or anything that would be too “girly girl.” (There it is again!) I had read Peg Orenstein’s Cinderella Ate My Daughter book, and while I don’t remember much of the book now, I did have a great dread of our daughter going down the princess route. Reflecting on the princess culture would take me off into another long tangent, so I will just say that our girl is strong and feisty and independent… AND loves, LOVES dressing up in pretty dresses and putting on pretend make-up and fixing her hair. I’m quick to tell people she’s just as comfortable in fancy dresses as she is in a Hiccup or Woody costume, but, again, this implies that it is somehow only “okay” for her to be feminine IF she also embraces the masculine?.. Anyhow, reading the make-up chapter was a complete shift in my thinking. And it has helped me look to my seven-year-old in awe. She is an example of a true feminist. She embraces her femininity with enthusiasm and pride, while still asking questions like, “Why aren’t there more Lego women represented on this police force?” when watching YouTube, or asking questions I’d never thought to, like these ones here. I guess it’s no wonder this girl was born on International Women’s Day.

As you can see, Witches gives a lot of room for reflection. I haven’t even touched on the revelations I had while reading chapters like the ones about sex workers or nuns. Each chapter is its own beautiful, eye-opening exploration of the power of women coming together. For too long now, many women have been taught to see each other as competition or have been too busy putting one another down. Perhaps this has worked to some males’ perceived advantage to keep this isolation and rivalry going on between women. Because when women do come together? Well, magical, powerful change happens. We’re starting to see more and more of this. And, wow, does our world need it.

Susan B. Anthony

Posted on August 30, 2020January 23, 2023 by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

When people think of Susan B. Anthony, they may think of her courageous vote placed before the 19th Amendment had passed, or perhaps of the short-lived Susan B. Anthony coin. I know, for me, anyway, that was the case. After becoming fascinated by the women’s suffrage movement, however, I longed to know more about the woman after whom the Amendment was named. I picked up the young reader biography by Teri Kanefield, which I very highly recommend. This video is based on information I found in this book. This is my homemade attempt at trying to capture the highlights of Kanefield’s book and the incredible life of Susan B. Anthony. It is my sincerest hope that if you, like me, knew little about Anthony’s life before this, that maybe you will feel inspired to read more and learn from this amazing woman.

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The Woman’s Hour: Our Fight For the Right to Vote

Posted on August 20, 2020January 3, 2022 by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

The Woman’s Hour (2020) by Elaine Weiss

The Woman’s Hour covers the history of women’s suffrage and the lead-up to that final vote in the final state that led to the Nineteenth Amendment passing. I was never interested in history growing up and would have laughed at the idea of devouring a history book. But, as I grow older and cover history with our kids in homeschool, I’m realizing just how fascinating it is. The story of the Nineteenth Amendment has courage, drama, suspense, entertainment, and heart all on its own. But writer, Elaine Weiss and adapter, Erica Moroz, sure add to it. You’ll definitely want to check this one out!

This book is a young reader version, based on the adult book, The Woman’s Hour: The Great Fight to Win the Vote. While I have yet to read the original version, the young reader one is definitely worth your while.

Women’s Suffrage–Down to the Last Vote

Posted on August 19, 2020January 23, 2023 by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

This August, we celebrate 100 years of the Nineteenth Amendment! And while this law didn’t change the racism that still suppressed the votes of so many, it was a huge step for our country and for how women were viewed. I feel so grateful to be around for this 100th anniversary, but I’m also deeply saddened that votes continue to try to be suppressed. The women and men who fought for women’s suffrage worked tirelessly and courageously. A vote is a precious thing and should never be wasted.

This is a video I made after studying women’s suffrage with our daughter in homeschool. Most of it is based on information I read about in the adapted version of The Woman’s Hour and the PBS special, By One Vote. I’ve been fascinated by the history of this amazingly close vote for the Nineteenth Amendment and have done my best in this little homemade video to share just a small bit of this truly powerful story.