A March and a Mis(s)representation

I screened a film tonight called Miss Representation. It was about the media's portrayal of women and how that has contributed to a society that values women for their bodies above many other attributes. The ideas brought up in the film were honest, true, and valid. I am always aware going into documentary-type films that they are very intentionally crafted: they are created, clipped, filmed, edited, and arranged to the very last detail to tell a story from a certain perspective, and to be persuasive to argue for that particular point of view. The film did a nice job in exposing the media and digging deep to unearth the underlying values in the messages that advertising and television sends us.

I found myself with several thoughts (of many) afterwards:

1. This film brings up a great point that I cannot emphasize enough: we need to be intelligent, thoughtful, and discerning consumers. Lately I have realized how important that is, whether it comes to food, clothing, or media. I think it is important to be more intentional and neglect the temptation of "comfort" and "convenience" to act justly and make decisions that are based on truth. That being said, I am becoming more and more convinced to raise any future children of mine without a television. Books are better for your brain, anyhow.

2. I had many thoughts about gender roles, how they are broken when human beings try to decide and define them on our own, and just how much those are in need of redemption. We live in a world of women who are not represented in their own culture, not taken seriously, and in some ways, systematically oppressed. Women struggle with the pressure from the media to look a certain way and conduct themselves a certain way. On the other hand, men have been groomed by this same media to place their worth in how much power they can exert over women and in many other arenas of life. Men have also been groomed to expect women to look a certain way and to be objects instead of capable human beings. I found myself agreeing with much of this movie, but also trying to understand gender roles in a Biblical sense, as God Himself created them in His image and for His glory. (More on that below).

3. I found myself very thankful for the women AND men who have allowed me to be my female self without the pressure of the media, and for those who have influenced my own sense of independence and calling. From Christian women in leadership positions who helped me to use my leadership skills and showed me that women are not necessarily subservient in ministry positions, to my wonderful parents who never set a limit for their girls, no matter what the "future-career-or-ambition-of-the-week" I set my mind to. I realized how much my father in particular has never put pressure on me to define myself by my body or my looks, and how much he really values myself and the women in my family for who we are, without limits or a prejudiced point of view. This made me also appreciate the other men in my life, who through friendship have valued me as a female and let me be myself. Thank you.

4. I realized how much as a young woman I took a healthy amount of pride in what my gender has accomplished. I always loved learning about a woman's right to vote in history, I loved looking up to females in whatever field I was passionate about at the time, I did a speech in middle school on Rosie the Riveter and the World War II movement of women in the workforce, and I have always loved the stories of the women of God in the Bible. Seeing this film made me feel like a little girl all over again, and I felt empowered anew to go for my dreams, and to not feel like there is a limit just because I am a girl, or that the fact that I am a woman means that I cannot just go for things that I feel like I am called to.

5. I did have a big caveat for this whole women's rights thing: I am all for it until it steps on others in any way. As a Christian woman, I can agree that there are many crimes against humanity and areas of prejudice and discrimination that have faced women in a unique way. However, where my personal views verve from the modern-day feminist is that I do not support abortion or "women's rights" masquerading as "choice", and I do not think that the empowering of women means that we can step on men or anyone else, for that matter. I had a conversation with a friend recently about how the pro-abortion movement frequently refers to itself as "for women's rights", "for women's health", and "for women's choice". Frankly, abortion hurts women and inherently values a woman over that of another human being: the defenseless baby she carries. Again, I have a problem with this movement when it impedes upon others. Liberation does not mean that others are no longer important, or are less important, let alone that of a human life which is just as significant as that woman's and should be treated as such, for its intrinsic value.

This segues nicely into the second part of my post, and a reflection of my weekend activities. I was privileged to attend my third March for Life, the 39th annual March in Washington protesting the legalization of abortion in this country. There is nothing like standing for the truth, and the March encourages me and refreshes me with a new perspective and energy for the pro-life movement. It mobilizes me to love, cherish, protect, defend, and fight for life in all its forms: from conception to natural death.


Whilst I was in the D.C. area, I had the opportunity to meet a very neat lady named Bonnie. When I met Bonnie, she was huddled in a small insulated tent for warmth in front of the White House. Bonnie has been holding a peaceful protest against the violence and havoc of nuclear warfare since 1981. Her vigil is quiet, but to me was a beautiful example of being a peacemaker and one who is hungry and thirsty for justice as Jesus spoke of in Matthew chapter 4. I admired Bonnie for her perseverance, for her quiet spirit, and the gentleness and yet conviction with which she spoke of her cause. God loves those who have hearts for justice, and I believe it is because justice is close to His heart as well. So He loves those who are peaceful but willing to take a stance for the truth. Bonnie was a face of Jesus to me this weekend.

Let us not grow weary in doing good, dear friends. (Galatians 6:9)