Editorials

12/20/19

The problem with ‘everyone is beautiful’

Stop calling everyone beautiful.

There, I said it. I’ll say it again because we all need to hear it again. Stop. Calling. Everyone. Beautiful.

While I find it admirable that many mainstream brands, ads, and influencers have expanded the typical media’s standard of beauty – thin, young, white girl – to include all body shapes, sizes, colors, and ages, I still have a problem with the overarching message – there is a clear problem with everyone is beautiful. Yes, women of all kinds are beautiful, but so what? Why do women have to be minimized or validated by the qualification of being beautiful?

This stamp of approval on our physical appearance is meant to empower women for their individuality, but it’s actually just objectifying us more.

I realize many of these campaigns are just trying to reverse the horrifying, unrealistic depiction of what it means to be a beautiful woman, which is a real problem in our society, with issues such as depression and eating disorders starting as early as 10-years-old, but instead of asserting that now ALL women can be EQUALLY objectified, we should change the message of these campaigns.

03/1/19

Why “girl power” isn’t actually empowering

As a feminist, mom to three little girls, and Spice Girls lover, you think I’d be the first one on board with the cutesy phrase “GIRL POWER,” right? I see this phrase on neon signs in play rooms, adorable pillows, graphic tees, and I want to like it – I want to join these other #girlmoms and feminists and get some cute GIRL POWER swag, but I can’t – I just can’t.

Let me explain. Well, let me start with what girl power means.

What is girl power?

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, girl power is ” the idea that women and girls should be confident, make decisions, and achieve things independently of men.” That all sounds good, right? How could you have a problem with “girl power?” you’re wondering.

Relax, I’m not a monster. I’ll start by acknowledging what is okay about this movement before I denounce it. Stay with me.

12/13/18

A letter to Grandpa

12/13/17

Dear Grandpa,

Everyone thinks their grandpa is the best, and that’s really nice and everything, but the truth is, mine actually was the best.

You were the actual best grandpa, great grandfather, dad, neighbor, worker, and friend. You’re the man everyone aspires to be, the one great character every reader is completely enamored with and that every author hopes to write about – but quite honestly, it may be impossible for even the best writer to capture your wit, smarts, quirks, and charm.

Last night, you died, and when I held your hand, it was still so big and warm, just like always. You looked like you; you still looked so handsome; you looked finally at rest. I can still feel you holding my hands, cupping them around mine since I was a kid to keep me warm, and until the very end, you were still my warm protector.