In an age where the word ‘feminist’ is associated with raging, angry, liberal women who are pushing big government intervention and the right to murder children, those who consider themselves to be classic, first wave feminists such as myself tend to be easily discouraged.
When it comes to feminism promoted by Hollywood, the norm is radicalized, liberal, garbage. Ghostbusters is a great example; it was a remake of a movie that didn’t need to be remade for the sole purpose of casting female leads, was terribly done and tanked, and Hollywood tried to blame it on ‘sexism’ instead of admitting that it was an awful film. Until the past week, I had all but given up on Hollywood ever putting forth a proper image of what feminism is all about.
Then, I went to go see Wonder Woman…and I was blown away.
Not only was I pleasantly surprised to watch a superhero film that I actually enjoyed, but FINALLY, Hollywood has put forth a wonderful example of feminism as it should be.
Here are five ways Wonder Woman portrays what being a feminist is all about through Diana:
1. Diana is an independent woman, but isn’t a jerk about it.
Society has perpetuated this lie that in order to be independent, you must work alone and become mean. Diana (Wonder Woman) demonstrates the falsehood in that belief. You can be independent and work well with others, and you shouldn’t think that independence requires you to compete with, cut down, or belittle those around you.
2. Shows that feminism can be feminine.
Hollywood, and typically the rest of pop culture in America, show feminists as crass women who reject all things having to do with beauty routines, dresses, or gentle words. Now, I’m not saying that ALL feminists reject femininity personally, but you definitely see a trend away from being feminine women. Diana proved that you can be powerful AND feminine; she wasn’t crass, she was willing to look nice, and she spoke with the gentleness that is typically associated with women. She was willing to care for others, and wasn’t afraid of being written off for doing things typical of a woman; she was confident enough in herself to be totally feminine.
3. Diana doesn’t disparage the men around her or keep them from using their abilities.
FINALLY, a movie all about a powerful woman that doesn’t belittle men (okay, okay, I get that there were a couple of jokes in the movie that weren’t necessarily supportive of men-we’ll write that off as Diana growing up with the Amazons and not humans). Diana didn’t reject the help of the men who surrounded her, and she didn’t push them aside and refuse to let them do anything. She accepted their help, acknowledged their talents and abilities, treated them as equals, and was kind when letting them know that she had everything handled.
4. Demonstrates the proper way to challenge things you don’t think are right.
Did Diana light things on fire, break into storefronts, cuss everybody out, or don a vulgar costume when she thought she was being disregarded, disrespected, or that something immoral was happening? NO. She spoke with truth, she spoke with passion, and she refused to back down when defending something she knew to be right.
5. Shows that powerful women can be kind and humble.
You wouldn’t catch Diana wearing one of the oh-so-popular ‘Nasty Woman’ t-shirts that liberal feminists seem to love. Why? Because powerful women are not the same thing as nasty women. If you have to be a terrible, nasty woman to feel powerful, you probably aren’t. If you are confident in your value, your ability to get things done, and what you bring to the table, you can live out life with the kindness and humility that creates change and deserves respect.
The movie demonstrates what feminism ACTUALLY is: equality, empowerment, and independence without being vulgar or nasty. Props must be given to the lead actress, Gal Gadot, and Director Patty Jenkins. Thank you for filming such a powerful and influential movie.