I have been reading and seeing on the news that several high powered Hollywood actresses, the movers and shakers, are planning to wear black dresses to awards events such as the Golden Globes and the Oscars. Their purpose is to draw attention to the ME TOO movement that is sweeping the nation. Keep reading to find out why I think the black dress protest is definitely NOT a big deal.
The Facts:
- I definitely want the men and women of Hollywood to use their fame in positive ways that support needed social and environmental changes. Today, an important issue is that of female empowerment!
- I am a 69 year old female, a retired teacher, and certainly not an expert on life in Hollywood.
- I was a young woman who fought for women’s rights throughout the 1960s. During summer breaks from college I worked as an office temp; I remember the “girls” at my first office job had to threaten a walk-out to be allowed to wear a PANTS SUIT to work!
- I support the “ME TOO” initiative; no one should be forced to compromise her/his dignity in order to get or keep a job.
The Problem:
The women of Hollywood are beautiful. We all love seeing them close up on the big screen; they are who many young girls aspire to become. Female empowerment is a serious issue, not just for women of Hollywood, but across our country. Serious issues need serious solutions. Now is the perfect time to take a stand for this issue, while it is in the public eye.
My Questions:
Many of us watch the pre-show and the Awards ceremony because we want to see what everyone is wearing. The iconic Red Carpet question is always: “Who are you wearing?” Does it matter that the gorgeous, incredibly expensive dress being worn is black instead of red or blue? Is wearing a black dress to a glamorous awards ceremony a SERIOUS SOLUTION?
My Answer: No!
My Solution:
As I said, Hollywood actresses are beautiful! They would be beautiful if they showed up in a burlap sack. So, instead of wearing a $75,000 black dress to the ceremony, wear a $1,000 dress and donate the other $74,000 to a program that supports women’s shelters. When asked “Who are you wearing?”, I would love the answer to be Kohl’s or Belk’s, or any average department store in the area.
OR, how about wearing the same dress you wore last year and donate the entire $75,000 you would have spent to women’s shelters. We need to make it less frightening for women and their children to escape from abusive situations.
Not interested in women’s shelters? There are plenty of single mothers and their children living in homeless shelters or on the streets. All I am saying is that women need to stand up for women in a meaningful way. Change is a possibility that resides within each of us.
Chalk Dust and Dreams 