Sep 22, 2023·edited Sep 24, 2023Liked by Michael F. Bird
I would also add that it seems that, not only do men often not appreciate being bested by a woman in a physical contest or such, but they don’t like to hear anything challenging from a woman. Especially in the evangelical subculture, women are taught to treat men more or less as snowflakes if they have something challenging, or instructive, or critical to say, because, you know, the Patriarchy. Never mind common courtesy and diplomacy; women are supposed to be manipulative and to pussyfoot in order to be heard. I wish we could level the playing field so we can all speak clearly and directly with one another without being considered harsh or offensive.
Every time I hear a man articulate my experience as a woman in a way that acknowledges the pain and exhaustion, it heals my heart a little bit more. Thank you.
Thank you so much for this! I agree with everything, even with what you say about the film’s lack of presenting much in the way of positive relationships between men and women. But perhaps there was good reason? I wonder what Greta Gerwig and the film’s leads would say about this. My sense is that the film leaves that part up to the viewer. I don’t believe it means to say that Ken is Kenough without women, but that he doesn’t need one to provide or prove his worth, just as women don’t need men to give them value.
Put another way, we have value because of who and what we were created to be (the point of the Ruth Handler character near the end), not because of what other created beings say we are or want us to be.
Still not fully Christian, but I think it prompts a lot of good thought and hopefully starts some good conversations.
Didn’t see the movie and don’t plan to, just to busy working and in my free time I read books and the greatest Book the Bible!! It’s so hard to keep up with all the movies/news/politics etc. Life in this fast paste changing and fallen world is so hard!! Lord give us piece!! But thanks for the review Dr. Bird.
I didn't expect the Barbie movie to deal with the male/female dynamic. I did, however, see this movie as an existential piece where both Ken and Barbie are dealing with their own identity. I do think that the men in the movie were generally portrayed as doofus' but I think that was more for comedic relief. But either way I do think that being cognizant of that male/female dynamic will benefit the church so much.
I would also add that it seems that, not only do men often not appreciate being bested by a woman in a physical contest or such, but they don’t like to hear anything challenging from a woman. Especially in the evangelical subculture, women are taught to treat men more or less as snowflakes if they have something challenging, or instructive, or critical to say, because, you know, the Patriarchy. Never mind common courtesy and diplomacy; women are supposed to be manipulative and to pussyfoot in order to be heard. I wish we could level the playing field so we can all speak clearly and directly with one another without being considered harsh or offensive.
Every time I hear a man articulate my experience as a woman in a way that acknowledges the pain and exhaustion, it heals my heart a little bit more. Thank you.
My pleasure!
I also like the color purple
I feel seen
Thank you so much for this! I agree with everything, even with what you say about the film’s lack of presenting much in the way of positive relationships between men and women. But perhaps there was good reason? I wonder what Greta Gerwig and the film’s leads would say about this. My sense is that the film leaves that part up to the viewer. I don’t believe it means to say that Ken is Kenough without women, but that he doesn’t need one to provide or prove his worth, just as women don’t need men to give them value.
Put another way, we have value because of who and what we were created to be (the point of the Ruth Handler character near the end), not because of what other created beings say we are or want us to be.
Still not fully Christian, but I think it prompts a lot of good thought and hopefully starts some good conversations.
I'd give more than one "like" for this if I could.
Didn’t see the movie and don’t plan to, just to busy working and in my free time I read books and the greatest Book the Bible!! It’s so hard to keep up with all the movies/news/politics etc. Life in this fast paste changing and fallen world is so hard!! Lord give us piece!! But thanks for the review Dr. Bird.
I didn't expect the Barbie movie to deal with the male/female dynamic. I did, however, see this movie as an existential piece where both Ken and Barbie are dealing with their own identity. I do think that the men in the movie were generally portrayed as doofus' but I think that was more for comedic relief. But either way I do think that being cognizant of that male/female dynamic will benefit the church so much.
Amen to all that!
I’d have to agree with all of this. Well written.