I agree. I think the film does a great job peeling back the bias of sexism and making it, not a problem with men, but with humanity. Something we can all commiserate with and all benefit from working at making things better.
Comment on Bill Maher Bashes ‘Barbie’ as a “Preachy, Man-Hating Zombie Lie”
jordanlund@lemmy.one 1 year ago
Anone who thinks it’s man hating hasn’t actually seen the movie. It has as much to say about the state of modern men as it does women.
At the start of the film it plainly states, out loud, in actual dialog, that for Barbie, every day is the best day ever, but for Ken, it’s only a good day if Barbie looks at him.
Ken’s adrift. He’s the ultimate representation of a friendzoned incel. He has no purpose in life other than as a Barbie accessory with as much agency as her swimming pool or Dream Car.
When he finds that purpose, it’s toxic. But saying the film is “man hating” is denying Ken’s search for meaning in a Barbie world.
Drewelite@lemmynsfw.com 1 year ago
realcaseyrollins@kbin.projectsegfau.lt 1 year ago
All of this. I'm not pro third wave feminism but I absolutely loved the messaging about the toxic state of Ken.
Rhaedas@kbin.social 1 year ago
The movie posters that I've seen literally say that in two sentences. Even the song says she's a Barbie girl in a Barbie world.
SouthEndSunset@lemm.ee 1 year ago
I think you’re going a bit deep for this kind of person. And it’s no surprise that this sort is so whiny.
Toouwuforu@kbin.social 1 year ago
I agree with you and I think there is even more to evaluate in Ken’s search for meaning.
Remember that he’s ultimately lost even in the real (“mans”) world.
There are two things here:
Feminism left men behind. “Maybe every night didn’t have to be a girls night.” And we have a lot of catching up to do on both sides to bring parity to the situation.
Ken expresses his exhaustion at having to be in control of everything. Much of his anxiety is rooted in a patriarchal worldview that makes him responsible for everything due to the lie that men must control the world.
As a man, husband and father myself I can so identify with that journey. I was abused in my career by managers that wanted me to fight my friends for promotions and I’ve burned out several times due to unrealistic expectations that I had of myself which were ingrained in me by a patriarchal culture. It’s very tiring to be ‘the boss’ and I’ve learned that sharing the load does not weaken me, it makes me stronger,
I think that the film is actually very kind to men. It’s saying: ‘you don’t have to do everything alone.’
I honestly wonder if women are ready though. Like I said and like the movie illustrates: there is a lot to do on both sides. Equity has a cost and I know many women who still find sanctuary in the slipstream of the men in their lives because taking that step out of the shadow takes as much bravery as admitting that you can’t be in control of everything all the time.
mancy@lemmy.ca 1 year ago
Aw thanks so much for your concern. 🙄
Toouwuforu@kbin.social 1 year ago
The fact that that’s what you took from my post kind of illustrates my point. Albeit ironically.
mancy@lemmy.ca 1 year ago
Your post took an entirely feminist issue and made it about men again.
“Did feminism leave men behind” is something that only men would ponder about.
“I wonder if women are ready” is another can of condescending mess. Women are put in this box of patriarchy BY MEN, so instead of taking away the box and recognizing that it shouldn’t be there in the first place, you ask if women are ready to come out of it. We’re not children that you put in a timeout corner.
You ARE Ken. In a sanctuary for Barbies, you find some rhetoric to latch onto and try to make it about your plight too.
Kichae@kbin.social 1 year ago
I'm sorry, but WTF? I don't know how you look at feminism with any kind of understanding and walk away with that impression.
The fact that, as men, we've collectively ignored feminism's every attempt to help us, while whining that women are helping themselves and each other, doesn't mean that feminism has left us behind. It means we've refused help and to help ourselves.
Toouwuforu@kbin.social 1 year ago
I guess that’s one way to see it. It’s not the message of the movie though. The film chooses, like I do, to take a view that men have some catching up to do and that feminism itself can play a role in this by helping to carve out equitable roles.
I don’t claim to know everything about feminism. I’m just pointing out (as the film has too) that this is new territory for a lot of men. You can sit there and shout “Why haven’t you helped yourselves??!” …or you can help and try to build a progressive society together.