As yesterday’s post stated, we are becoming an increasingly factionalized society, and each faction is out to borrow, suborn, or outright shanghai anyone and everyone they think they can to their cause. Case in point, the recent attempt at shaming Daisy Ridley, actress and Internet darling. Ridley exploded on the world recently as Rey in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and from what I’ve seen may be one of the most genuine, likeable, unassuming, hard-working actresses out there.
But that doesn’t make her immune to the screamin’ shamers. Someone decided she’s too thin, and therefore must be punished into somehow joining their cause. Recently a photo of her in her Star Wars personae surfaced with a speech balloon added, stating “I can’t believe the unrealistic expectations I’m setting for young girls. Who cast me anyway? Don’t they know real women have curves?”
To my knowledge Ridley has never been “curvy” in the sense these people seem to demand, so it’s not like she purposely tried to be non-curvy for the role. Instead, she underwent extensive physical training simply to be able to do the stunts required of her for the part. I’ve seen video of her training, and good heavens! That girl is made of steel! I’d like to see your average guy do that. Look at this and tell me how she’s supposed to put on weight and still do all this:
But of course the screamin’ shamers can’t see that. They completely overlook the strong, smart, proactive nature of her character in the movie and the can-do attitude and intelligence she brought to the part–all incredibly powerful, positive messages for young girls–and focus in on her appearance. Somewhere at a hate-filled hovel out there the Irony Police should be kicking down the door.
Fortunately Ridley is indomitable, and my admiration has only increased from her response via Instagram: “‘Real women’ are all shapes and sizes, all ethnicities, all levels of brave, have families, don’t have families. I am a ‘real woman’ like every other woman in this world.”
To quote my kids, “Boom!” She out-classed and out-messaged her detractor(s) in a single bound, if you ask me (and if you’re reading this, you essentially did).
Then she apparently realized she’d made a mistake and posted the original picture with the name of the original poster, and promptly took it down and issued a call for kindness: “Guys it was not my intention for anyone to send messages to that poor person that posted the original picture. My whole post is about being kind to each other, so please refrain!” Realizing she has her own faction, she tried to head off them doing to someone else what she was coming out against herself.
In the place of the original meme pic she posted this open letter instead:
What’s weird is most of the time I see gorgeous messages from people around the world. People who relate to something in Rey they haven’t found in a female character before. People who’s daughters now think they can do things without the aid of a man, but who wouldn’t be ashamed to ask for help. People who loved that The Force Awakens has multiple incredible female characters. It is much more hurtful to continue to slate other women than BE a woman, BE a character, BE whoever you want to be. I’m just a normal girl thrust into extraordinary circumstances, just like Rey. I will not apologise for how I look, what I say and how I live my life cause what’s happening inside is much more important anyway and I am striving to be the best version of myself, even if I stumble along the way. It seems apt I get tagged in this a day after I received misogynistic comments on my #IWD post. For all of you who celebrate each other, celebrate the ones you love, love yourselves, work hard, are kind, thank you for your continued support and the social media love. For anyone who has a problem with ANYONE in life, be them someone you know or someone you don’t, remember that expression: if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.
Whether you agree with her or not, I appreciate her stand for allowing everyone to be themselves and not have to live up to everyone else’s expectations. Her refusal to allow a faction to shame her into giving credibility to their agenda is a breath of fresh air–and makes her, in my mind, all the more a positive role model.
And Mrs. and Mr. Ridley, give yourselves a pat on the back. Fine parenting there.
Well observed.