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Beyonce's daughter was trolled for her appearance, by women themselves. Women often judge other women including children based on looks which is demeaning and unhealthy.
Beyonce’s daughter was trolled for her appearance, by women themselves. Women judging other women (including children) based on looks, is demeaning and unhealthy.
Women have always had this question in mind. We may not say it out loud, but in our mind we are always judging how other women are looking, and evaluating how we fare in comparison. Sometimes such feelings of competitiveness, insecurities and jealousy can bring out the worst in us as witnessed last week.
As Beyoncé walked the red carpet at the MTV Video Music Awards with her daughter Blue Ivy, Twitter and other social media reached a new low, with the 4 year old child being on the receiving end of nasty comments:
“Blue Ivy is ugly as sin and there’s no way around it.”
“So are we all just supposed to pretend that Blue Ivy isn’t ugly as hell forever?”
“Blue ivy ugly as shit lol. Poor thang look like her fathaa.”
What is even more shameful is that almost all of these awful remarks have come from adult women!
Blue Ivy has been subjected to harsh criticism about her appearance since her birth. How would this affect her self-esteem once she starts growing up? It must be difficult for Beyoncé also as a mother to see her dear child being scrutinized so brutally. No wonder, such behavior by women is termed as ‘catty’ or ‘bitchy’.
But what makes a woman so insensitive and unkind to a child who does not even know what ugly means?
In a CNN article, writer Kelly Wallace spoke to Sophia Nelson, author of a self-help book for women called ‘The Woman Code’ on these topics:
“From the time we’re little girls, we’re taught to compete”, said Nelson. “I need to be prettier, taller, smarter, my hair needs to be straighter, curlier, whatever it is. I need to get the better looking guy. I need to always be better than because we’re taught to come from a place of lack as women.”
From personal experience I can say, that the worst things I have heard about my looks have come from women. Whether it is facial attributes, skin colour, height, weight, choice of wearing revealing clothes, putting on makeup or sporting sindoor and bichiya (toe rings) after marriage, we always have a strong opinion on what other women are upto, and are also mean enough to express it!
In an article on the site Bustle.com, author Claire Warner wrote “Our male-dominated world pits women against each other, and in all likelihood that’s why she feels the need to assert her dominance over you, so to speak.”
Come on ladies, we are not competing for men. We have enough issues to focus on for our empowerment. Let us fight for them, and not with each other. Maybe this is why gender equality has always been a dream, because women have always put each other down (mother in law-daughter in law equation!) and ultimately it is a win-win for patriarchy.
A little respect and unity would certainly help us attain a brighter future.
Image Source: Youtube
I like to write about the problems that have plagued the Indian society. I feel that the concept of gender equality is still alien , and that has been the focus of my articles and posts. read more...
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People say that women are the greatest enemies of women. I vehemently disagree. It is the patriarchal mindset that makes women believe in the wrong ideology.
The entire world celebrates International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024. It should be a joyful day, but unfortunately, not all women are entitled to this privilege, as violence against women is at its peak. The experience of oppression pushes many women to choose freedom. As far as patriotism is concerned, feminism is not a cup of tea in this society.
What happens when a woman decides to stand up for herself? Does this world easily accept the decisions of women in this society? What inspires them to be free of the clutches of the oppression that women have faced for ages? Most of the time, women do not get the chance to decide for themselves. Their lives are always at the mercy of someone, which can be their parents, siblings, husband, or children.
In some cases, women do not feel the need to make any decisions. They are taught to obey the patriarchal system, which makes them believe that they are right. In my family, I was never taught to make decisions on my own. It was always my parents who bought dresses and all that I needed.
14 years after her last feature film Dhobi Ghat, storyteller extraordinaire comes up with her new film, Laapataa Ladies, a must watch.
*Some spoilers alert*
Every religion around the world dictates terms to women. The onus is always on women to be ‘modest’ and cover their faces and bodies so men can’t be “tempted”, rather than on men to keep their eyes where they belong and behave like civilized beings. So much so that even rape has been excused on the grounds of women eating chowmein or ‘men will be men’. I think the best Hindi movie retort to this unwanted advice on ‘akeli ladki khuli tijori ki tarah hoti hai’ (an alone woman is like an open jewellery box) came from Geet in Jab We Met – Kya aap gyan dene ke paise lete hain kyonki chillar nahin hain mere paas.
The premise of Laapataa Ladies is beautifully simple – two brides clad in the ghunghat that covers their identity get mixed up on a train. Within this Russian Doll, you get a comedy of errors, a story of getting lost, a commentary on patriarchy’s attitude towards women, a mystery, and a tale of finding oneself, all in one. Done with a mostly light touch that has you laughing and nodding along.
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