How do we view women in the entertainment industry? In a world, where we place men's opinions of women over the actual experiences that women have; it is quite refreshing to see a female artist such as Jennifer Aniston speaking up for what she believes in. Recently this year, Jennifer Aniston —actor, director, producer — wrote as a contributor in The Huffington Post a letter of her feelings about constantly being objectified.
This is one of the sections that I read that really made me ask myself what can I do to be a better ally, a better human being.
Jennifer Aniston: "If I am some kind of symbol to some people out there, then clearly I am an example of the lens through which we, as a society, view our mothers, daughters, sisters, wives, female friends and colleagues. The objectification and scrutiny we put women through is absurd and disturbing. The way I am portrayed by the media is simply a reflection of how we see and portray women in general, measured against some warped standard of beauty. Sometimes cultural standards just need a different perspective so we can see them for what they really are — a collective acceptance... a subconscious agreement. We are in charge of our agreement. Little girls everywhere are absorbing our agreement, passive or otherwise. And it begins early. The message that girls are not pretty unless they’re incredibly thin, that they’re not worthy of our attention unless they look like a supermodel or an actress on the cover of a magazine is something we’re all willingly buying into. This conditioning is something girls then carry into womanhood. We use celebrity “news” to perpetuate this dehumanizing view of females, focused solely on one’s physical appearance, which tabloids turn into a sporting event of speculation. Is she pregnant? Is she eating too much? Has she let herself go? Is her marriage on the rocks because the camera detects some physical “imperfection”?"
In Aniston's Huffington Post open letter, she stresses that the double standards perpetuating our society are not only wrong but demeaning and harmful. As a country, if we believe that every person is truly equal. We have to stay committed in making sure everyone is treated fairly. We have to realize collectively that we can't continue making decisions for women when their voices and opinions should be the ultimate authority. As Mary Wollstonecraft emphasized in her 1792 text, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, women can more than just beautiful; they are leaders, multifaceted, and intelligent.
Now that we've heard in great detail of Aniston's pain, one which resonates with so many other women around the world, what will you do to be a part of the change that we so desperately need? #BeBrave #CelebrityRoleModelEdition
