I Blame Rose McGowan

 

Since she's already in the line of fire due to recent events, I think I'll blame Rose McGowan, too....after all, don't we all need a scapegoat? <insert sarcastic eye roll here>

McGowan as Courtney in Jawbreaker

I say this because I've been absolutely in love with Rose McGowan for, dare I say, about 20 years now.  Yes, I was a big fan of Doom Generation....of course I loved her in Charmed....even once allowing myself to be bribed by a friend with Charmed DVDs.....back before Netflix binging was a thing, I was OD'ing on Charmed DVDs, true story.  But these are far from the only reasons I love her...I love her sass, I love her determination, I love what a strong woman she is, and I really love all the charity work she does, including work with Boston Terriers, see full listing of her charity work here.
 

McGowan & one of her Boston Terriers

I like to fancy myself a pretty open minded feminist, my version of feminism being that it's not my job as a feminist to tell you how to be a woman, but to support other women on their journey to figuring it out for themselves.  I don't believe in slut shaming (damn, I even hate the word used to describe it, it's so gross), I don't believe that if a woman is more masculine that it makes her any less of a woman any more than I believe getting all dolled up for a photo shoot makes someone else any more of a woman.  If I choose to wear make up today, but jeans and a t shirt tomorrow, none of that changes that I identify as a woman....neither makes me better or worse for it.

So, when I started noticing more and more things that began to bother me (in the form of casual sexism), I decided to blame Rose McGowan.  Since it's been just days after McGowan tweeted:

McGowan as Cherry Darling in Planet Terror

"casting note that came w/script I got today. For real. name of male star rhymes with Madam Panhandler hahahaha I die,"
The note: "-Please make sure to read the attached script before coming in so you understand the context of the scenes. -Wardrobe Note: Black (or dark) form fitting tank that shows off cleavage (push up bras encouraged). And form-fitting leggings or jeans. Nothing white."

I am now seeing it everywhere.  So when I saw the following meme on my Facebook newsfeed, it was the last straw...harmless, yes, however......

Let's just break this down for a second....

 "Here's to the girls" (not women, girls) "who grew up" (so clearly they should now be called women) "playing in dirt who ran outside barefoot" (ok, I'm with you on this, now) "and weren't afraid to be one of the boys!"  (1. I'm not afraid to be one of the boys, I'm simply not a "boy".  2. Why does "playing in dirt" and "running outside barefoot" make you any less of a "girl" and turn you into "one of the boys", 3. Why is it implied that it's better to "be one of the boys" or that you'll get praise for being "one of the boys"?

I am a woman, not a girl or a boy, thank you....whether I play in the dirt or am all dolled up, I am still a WOMAN because I identify as a woman....fuck your gender roles.

If we don't change our views and language amongst each other and to ourselves, how can we expect it to change for society as a whole?  With all of the shaming we do to each other, are we surprised when it happens in society?  We get mad when they do things to pat us on the head, "you're just a silly little girl", but aren't we doing it to ourselves when we treat each other with such judgement?             

McGowan as Amy Blue in Doom Generation

 So, I blame Rose McGowan, I blame her for shedding more light on something that we start to forget as we go on about our day to day lives, I blame her for making me feel like it's my duty to stand up and say something when I see sexism and misogyny, even if it's considered "harmless"....I blame Rose McGowan for making me feel like I really need to use my voice, not just for myself but for everyone that won't speak up for themselves...I blame Rose McGowan for kicking me in the ass and making me want to be a better person...Thank you, Rose McGowan.....

~ Lily White XoXoXo