“Hi, Barbie!”: Raising a Generation of Girls on Feminism
<p>Despite being out of theaters for months, I still find myself fascinated by <em>Barbie</em>. I fell in love with the film’s aesthetics, designed to be sickeningly pink and artificially perfect, although my own wardrobe has lacked color since I graduated high school. I’ve accumulated a collection of the film’s tie-in dolls, and they remain pristine in their original box despite a childlike urge to open them and brush Barbie’s beautiful blonde hair. I sprained my ankle while wearing sparkly pink platform Vans, a collaboration between the aforementioned brand and Mattel. It’s safe to say I enjoyed the film.</p>
<p>While the film is still renowned for its entertainment value and the cultural shift it created over the summer, Barbie is notable for another reason. Director Greta Gerwig has created what is essentially a summarization of what it means to grow up as a girl, and how the plights of womanhood and the persistent impact of patriarchal structures and misogynistic ideals can change what girls think their expression of femininity should be. This expression of patriarchy and misogyny is most overtly displayed through Barbie’s male counterpart, Ken.</p>
<p><a href="https://medium.com/@lynnekeim/hi-barbie-raising-a-generation-of-girls-on-feminism-177a842245e1"><strong>Read More</strong></a></p>