Feminism Isn’t ‘Cute’

August 9th, 2004

Tales from a Movie Theatre:

Yesterday I went to see “Garden State” (btw, it’s awesome! Zach Braff wrote, directed and starred? What the heck? Who knew such talent was lurking on the set of Scrubs?).

Before the movie, I was waiting in the food area and a dude walked up wearing a “FEMINISM IS CUTE” tee shirt. So I asked him about it.

Me: Where’d you get that?

Him: I made it.

Me: Why?

Him: Why not?

He was obviously wary because he didn’t know where I was coming from. Fair enough. But in the end, he told me that he hates feminists and that “people shouldn’t take things so seriously.” My personal view is that systemic discrimination based on race, class and gender totally sucks and IS serious, but how do you say that to someone who has just articulated that they hate you? Dude’s friend goes, “I’m from a communist country – I believe in equality.” And I said, “Feminism is about equality.” And then I had a bit of a crisis. Because I didn’t know whether to keep talking or to just walk away. Nobody wants to be preached at but Dude’s asking for it with his tee shirt! He could write anything on a tee shirt, anything his imagination desires, and what he wants to say to the world is that he hates feminists. But I’m at least glad feminism is in the news because this stuff needs to get talked about rather than just ridiculed without proper dialogue and context.

Maybe this kid needs to know that not everyone has it as good as him.

“Feminists we’re calling you! Please report to the front desk!” I kind of feel super-disappointed, in myself and in people, from that entire encounter yesterday. I need to find someone to give me a pep talk now. Actually, listening to Le Tigre is like that for me.

Ok, here’s another thing from the movies yesterday. During the trailers, there was a commercial for a certain body spray. And NO WORD OF A LIE, they pumped the stuff into the theatre at least 4 times while I was watching the movie. Isn’t that outrageous? I don’t even wear perfume when I get on a flight – I thought that public etiquette is moving towards not wearing smelly stuff when you’re in close quarters, in order to be considerate to people with allergies and just overall gross-out factor by overly strong cologne and stuff. But while I’m sitting captive, and I’ve paid $14, I have to sit through a public spraying. WTF?

Ok, but other than that, I swear the movie was a pleasant experience. Go see it! Zach Braff is a new fave.