The Impossible Double Standards of Being a Woman

 

Rita Moreno acknowledged America Ferrera's monologue in Barbie at the Academy Awards. One of the highlights of Greta Gerwig's Barbie is when Gloria (America Ferrera) delivers a monologue on the impossible double standards of being a woman.

Gloria's full monologue from Barbie (2023):

It is literally impossible to be a woman. 

You are so beautiful and so smart, 

and it kills me that you don't think you're good enough. 

Like, we have to always be extraordinary, 

but somehow we're always doing it wrong.

You have to be thin, but not too thin. 

And you can never say you want to be thin. 

You have to say you want to be healthy, 

but also you have to be thin. 

You have to have money, 

but you can't ask for money 

because that's crass. 

You have to be a boss, 

but you can't be mean. 

You have to lead, 

but you can't squash other people's ideas. 

You're supposed to love being a mother, 

but don't talk about your kids all the damn time. 

You have to be a career woman 

but also always be looking out for other people.

You have to answer for men's bad behavior, 

which is insane, but if you point that out, 

you're accused of complaining. 

You're supposed to stay pretty for men, 

but not so pretty that you tempt them too much 

or that you threaten other women 

because you're supposed to be a part of the sisterhood.

But always stand out and always be grateful. 

But never forget that the system is rigged. 

So find a way to acknowledge that but also always be grateful.

You have to never get old, 

never be rude, 

never show off, 

never be selfish, 

never fall down, 

never fail, 

never show fear, 

never get out of line. 

It's too hard! 

It's too contradictory and 

nobody gives you a medal 

or says thank you! 

And it turns out in fact that 

not only are you doing everything wrong, 

but also everything is your fault.

I'm just so tired of watching myself 

and every single other woman 

tie herself into knots 

so that people will like us. 

And if all of that is also true for a doll 

just representing women, 

then I don't even know.

----- 

It's poignant. It's powerful. Its to-the-point. 

It says it all. I don't have any commentary to add. 

I will add a little corporate touch to the conversation. 

Imagine the kind of dichotomy women face at workplace. 

And as they rise to Leadership roles, it becomes even more complex. 

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