Why I Can't Applaud Hollywood's 'Girl Power'

I began to think that maybe I had a problem. I was irritated by an action figure of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in the mail.

The figure was a 6-inch novelty. The company that created it makes figures of Pope Francis, Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton, sunglasses for babies, and a line of glitter makeup called Unicorn Snot.

The figure didn't do me (or anyone else) any harm. According to the PR person responsible for promoting the figure, if the Kickstarter campaign is a big success, a portion of the sales will be donated to charity. But it was the branding that made my face twitch.

In the product description of the manufacturer, there were slogans such as "Metal-framed glasses that can see through the bullshit of men's society" and "Heeled loafers that stand firm against those who oppress them." Dressed in feminist buzzwords, the marketing copy implied that just by buying this plastic collector's item, you could become an activist and become a progressive for a one-time payment of $19.99.

This feeling had nothing to do with Ginsberg himself. I have always hoped that she, now 85, would be healthy and active indefinitely. change significantly). I know a lot about her health. Much more than the health of my biological grandparents. That's why this doll touched my emotions.

There have been so many cute commercializations of not just Ginsberg, but the broader concept of gender equality, and this figure is just one of them. But this figure reminded me that my tolerance for such commodification is low.

The gap between this little doll and my desperation for the health of Ginsburg, who was its model, seemed almost unbearable. Do I want to talk to the CEO about this figure?

This figure wasn't a promo, but it could have been. Two feature films about Ginsburg's life were released in 2018. Both approach Ginsberg's life with what could be described as a "collector's figure" approach. In other words, we treat her as a kind of icon rather than a person as she is.

The first documentary, RBG, was directed by Betsy West and Julie Cohen. Despite modest box office results when it released in May, Ginsburg's illustrious career is a lighthearted portrayal of her workout routine.

While the documentary is uncritical of her recent memization (some of those interviewed said, "Herstory in the Making"). There's a mug in my room!" some gasp.) It's not a heartwarming hagiography.

He smacks her for comments about President Trump. apologized to Trump.)

People can also become notorious as long as they are polite. Notorious R.B.G", so the media sometimes uses the name "Notorious (notorious)").

The second movie, Believe: A Great Reversal to the Future, was released in the United States on Christmas (released in Japan on March 22, 2019). Directed by Mimi Leder. To my eyes, this work looked safer. Felicity Jones plays Ginsburg as a law student, wife, mother, and university professor with Sanrio charm. The devoted husband and co-lawyer Martin is played by Armie Hammer.