Miss Representation is a documentary directed and produced by Jennifer Siebel Newsom which tackles the representation of women in the media and the effects on both male and female perspectives. The documentary focusses mainly on the roles of women in America and what being powerful can mean or cost. I am a bit of a documentary junky, and this has to be the best one I’ve seen so far without verging on feminist propaganda. But there are still a few single-sided arguments being presented in this film.
In case you haven’t caught on yet the documentary’s title, “Miss Representation,” is a play on words regarding the misrepresentation of females in our society. More than just a documentary, it is a launching pad for The Representation Project which aims to rewrite stereotypes about gender and correct the injustices these stereotypes have caused. Lucky for all of us, it is available on Netflix and I strongly recommend that you all view it with an open and inquiring mind.
The one overall praise I have for this film is its incorporation of male perspectives. I watched it with my little sister (10) and she also commented how it was nice to hear about this issue from guys. As Emma Watson said in her UN speech, “How can we affect change in the world when only half of it is invited?”
Now, I didn’t force my sister to watch it with me, but I’m glad she did. Body image is a huge issue, and something a lot of people brush off. But the effects of media on this younger generation is going to be a huge problem if we continue to ignore it. I’ve noticed with my sister that whenever she sees a new person, whether in cartoons or real life, the first comment she makes is on the person’s weight or appearance. It’s either, “Why is that person so fat?” or “How come he/she’s so ugly?” Sometimes she’ll come into my room when I’m changing and just simply say, “You look fat today.” Considering she’s only 10, it’s pretty concerning to me. I try my best to teach her right from wrong, but I can’t be there to control what she sees or hears 24/7.
I think showing her this documentary has helped her understand the media and its unrealistic ideals a bit better, but it’s going to take a lot more than 120 minutes of her life to correct the hours and hours of information planted in her mind up until now.
What I do have to criticize about this film is its self-contradictory message. The quote above is presented at the beginning of the documentary to get viewers prepared for what lies ahead. And I do agree with the quote, I do. But the film moves on in its later half to address how women are the only people who have the power to correct media stereotypes and discrimination.
Don’t get me wrong, I wholly believe that women need to learn to support each other more, but that doesn’t mean men can’t either. One large reason feminism received (and continues to receive) so much backlash is because of the claims by “feminists” that men are the problem. If we are not understanding of men and don’t make them feel like feminism is their place, nothing will ever get better. Feminism is simply the fight for equality among human beings; not making women better than men and not making men lesser so women can overpower them.
Feminism is everybody’s issue. If we can’t reach a happy equilibrium in life, none of the other problems in our world can truly be fixed either. The issue may sound grandiose, you might feel like one person’s actions won’t change anything, but I promise you that you can make an amazing difference. Taking action doesn’t require you to join a petition, protest, or devote your life to advocating. It can be as simple as educating yourself, sharing your knowledge, and always questioning what you see or hear.
FTC: This is not a sponsored post, and all opinions are completely genuine. ♥
