Yesterday I was one of many sitting in a crowded theater, floors sticky and chairs just uncomfortable enough to keep you awake. I was attending the 6:30 PM showing of Pitch Perfect 2 with my friends Valerie and Wendi.
So, there we are sitting about halfway back when the weirdest commercial I have ever seen comes on, It was for Chobani yogurt, and I couldn't be more surprised. Past the very odd commercial blending dirt, cows, and yogurt, we sat through previews of movies that we didn't particularly want to see, to finally get to the gold. The opening scene included Barack and Michelle Obama, as well as a mishap at the historic Kennedy Center. As well as including some very interesting social references. At a point in our nation's history where race relations have spiked to the forefront again, there is a lot of referencing towards minorities not only in race, but also in the fact that they are women. Take for instance the character Cynthia Rose, at a certain point in PP2 when a reference to a minority is made she looks at the person who makes the reference and says "I'm black, gay, and a woman." At this point, at least in my theater (I live in Oklahoma so it is a proud moment) people started to clap. It says a lot to me because this means we are becoming more aware as a whole that these issues exist.
There is also an Asian and a (I believe) Guatemalan woman represented in the cast.
There is a man in the cast that is strongly disliked by most who have seen the films, John the announcer has throughout both plots been a severe sexist and in PP2 even makes the statement that "this is what happens when you allow women in college." It thrills me that in my theater this was met with groans and anger from the majority of the audience.
I know that in modern times it is easy to forget but very recently women weren't allowed to be educated at the collegiate level. It also means a lot to me that you could tell that people were uncomfortable with some of the racial slurs and anti-women comments that were made. Uncomfortable is the first step towards action.
As a modern feminist, I have to wonder how it took so long for a movie to come to the forefront that demonstrates such strong female ideals, but it really isn't. Clueless, Legally Blonde, Miss Congeniality, and Easy A. There is also a long list of movies that have much deeper sub-messages than most people realize: see The Breakfast Club, Mean Girls, Hairspray, and 13 Going on 30. Demonstrate high ideals, and eventually we will all be equal. Work for it, we will earn it. Together.
