Following the “Miss Representation” documentary on OWN, I was left wondering what to do.  With 86% of the purchasing power, women are empowered to make the change.  At the end of the film they mentioned a few things we ALL can do.  I think I caught most of them.

• Tell 5 people about the film and share what you have learned from it.
• Don’t buy tabloids magazines or newspapers – they are cheap and dirty!
• Don’t watch tabloid or reality TV shows that degrade women.  Instead turn on OWN!
• Buy clothes that don’t perpetuate the wrong image for women. You can feel sexy without looking cheap.
• Hold companies accountable.  Write or call them when you see them getting off track.
• Support women who are trying to make a change.
• Stop scrutinizing other women on how she looks.  This is hard, but be conscious of your choices and try to work towards chance.  Instead, have her back against all the negative!
• Support media that champions women for being smart…not for being hot.
• Boycott movies, shows and magazines that don’t portray women with respect.
• STAND UP and say something when you hear it.  Challenge friends if they are saying something bad
• See movies written and directed by women. AND do it on the premiere weekend, preferably Friday since that is how Hollywood judges it
• Media Literacy.  Critique the media and always look at who is giving the information.  Criticize them when they are giving the wrong message.
• Teach others to look critical at magazines, movies and TV programs.  Despite the urge, I don’t watch shows like PanAm, Housewives or Mad Men because it feels to me like they are moving women backwards in time.
• Point out to your children when you see something portrayed incorrectly.  Raise questions like “What if the character was a girl instead?”
• Avoid products that use sexism in their advertising.
• VOTE FOR A WOMAN. 
• Judge by accomplishments, not looks.
• When you walk past a mirror, don’t put yourself down…especially if there is another young woman around.  You end up sending the wrong message.
• Write your own stories and create your own media.
• Start a media literacy course on gender issues in your school.
• Mentor others.  Start by having open and honest conversations with a young person in your life.

 

For more information, check out missrepresentation.org.