A New Film Discusses Gender Roles & Stereotypes

The team behind the film "Miss Representation" will be producing a new documentary "The Mask You Live In" which will be an exploration of American Masculinity. The film shows how boys and men can sometime be pushed into stereotypical or domineering roles. This film definitely looks promising and is a step up in gender and cultural discourse.  Sometimes certain mind-sets seem even more prevalent within the African-American community. Black men may have complexes that it's ok to cheat, the more girls you're with sexually makes you a man, or constantly being told not to cry, show any feelings or emotions because it makes them "weak".

However, it's not just black men given these paradigms, they affect men of all cultures.When men feel they're forced to act a certain type way it can cause confusion, miss-communication, and dissonance in society as a whole. The Representation project is debuting the film this year. What are your thoughts on the upcoming documentary?


Check it out in the video (trailer) below:

I Don't Like this Situation With B.Scott and BET

I am not impressed with BET's actions this past weekend at the BET Awards involving popular blogger B.Scott. If you haven't heard about the situation as yet, the Cole's notes are that B. Scott was invited to attend the awards as a red carpet correspondent. But, once the carpet festivities were underway, he was pulled from his duties and asked to change out of the heels and clothes that he was wearing as well as pull back his hair into a ponytail. When he complied to this request, he was eventually replaced by another correspondent.

See, the problem that I have with this more so than BET's decision to restrict the clothes that he chose to wear is that they knew exactly what they would be getting when they invited him to take part in the festivities. B. Scott is known for his beautifully made up face and long flowing hair. His brand is "glamour". So knowing his brand and what he is about, it is confusing to me that BET would even invite B.Scott if they were not willing to accept his style of dress. I understand that there are such things as dress codes when you are working with an employer and representing them publicly, but perhaps this should have been a conversation had before hand?

Afterwards, B.Scott wrote a letter to speak out about his experience. Read his statement below as well as BET's statement.

A part of B. Scott's letter:

“It’s not just about the fact that BET forced me to pull my hair back, asked me to take off my makeup, made me changed my clothes and prevented me from wearing a heel. It’s more so that from the mentality and environment created by BET made me feel less than and that something was wrong with who I am as a person.”

BET's statement:

“BET Networks embraces global diversity in all its forms and seeks to maintain an inclusive workforce and a culture that values all perspectives and backgrounds,” the statement read. “The incident with B. Scott was a singular one with a series of unfortunate miscommunications from both parties. We regret any unintentional offense to B. Scott and anyone within the LGBT community and we seek to continue embracing all gender expressions.”

What are your thoughts on the whole dress code situation between BET and B.Scott? Is BET justified and restricting the style on the red carpet?

Gender Roles: Would You Let Your Son Play With An Easy bake Oven?

I was at a baby shower a while ago and the room was festively decorated  with balloons and streamers in blues, yellows and a hint of pink. I was just taking in the decorations when a womyn appeared behind me and shrieked, “Pink?! She’s having a BOY!!” I did not give her the reaction that she wanted because I gave her some version of my who cares face. So, she turned around to another group of womyn and shrieked again. This time they fell for the bait and suddenly they were in a panic to get rid of the hint of pink décor.

I can not begin to describe how ridiculous I think it is to pre-determine gender roles for our children. Instead of enjoying the time and the lovely atmosphere of the shower, these womyn were caught up on décor and the idea that pink should be a repellent for boys.

This is why it is interesting to hear the announcement this week from toy manufacturer HASBRO, that they would be introducing a gender neutral version to their Easy Bake Oven. They will now offer it in a variety of colours such as black, silver and blue in addition to their traditional colored ovens. I’m happy that the company is making an attempt to appeal to boys as well since many little boys want to be chefs too. But, it remains disappointing that parents are still too caught on gender roles to cross the colour line.

I think we should focus on nurturing our children’s desires and interests and promote the mini chef in our sons or the architect in our daughters.

Parents ,this Christmas as you are picking out last minute gifts for your children and there happens to only be a pink/ purple Easy Bake oven left on the shelf, buy it. Most children don’t care about colour, we do. Then we teach them to care.

What are your thoughts, do you think that children's toys should come in gender neutral colours?

Happy Holidays All!!