What The Barbie Movie Is Teaching The Youth

After its wild success at the box office, Barbie has become a topic of conversation nearly everywhere. What I didn't realize is how much controversy that would soon follow as a result.

Barbie hits on various topic, the most obvious being uplifting women and showing that we can accomplish anything. However, I think a few of its messages have gotten lost due to people believing it to be "anti-men".

Barbie is not anti-men. Barbie is a feminist film, and because the message of feminism has been wildly misconstrued, people believe that this movie was an excuse to emasculate men in our society. What people fail to remember is that feminism is not a concept that only benefits women and puts down men, but is a way of thought that is supposed to uplift both. Feminism, in short, is the belief that men and women should be equal, not that women should be above men.

Feminism, in fact, can also benefit men in so many ways. Feminism has to do with the idea that traditional gender roles in society should be broken. One of these gender roles includes the idea that women should be able to work. In a straight, to parent household, this is obviously beneficial to the man. If both parties work and earn a living, then they will have a dual income with greatly impacts both parties. Another gender role that is enforced is that men shouldn't be allowed to show emotion, that they are supposed to be logical and should not show signs of distress. Feminism aids men because it allows them to feel comfortable showing emotion and being vulnerable.

Barbie also has great messages about racial diversity. President Barbie is depicted by Issa Rae, a black women. While some people claim Barbie is "too woke", I believe it's important that young black girls can see themselves in a character like President Barbie. 

Overall I thought Barbie portrayed diversity and feminism in a thoughtful and intelligent way.