"Legally Blonde” as a simple comedy film filled with jokes heavily laced with stereotypes. A bubbly sorority girl who majored in fashion merchandising decides to conquer the political world in a bright pink suit. A movie that most consider to be more or less unrealistic since the general picture of politics is serious and more intense than how “Legally Blonde” portrays that world to be. However, the scary thing is that it isn’t that far from reality.
Leslie Griffith’s article “First lady needs to get beyond pretty in pink” raises that exact question as to why presidents’ wives and other ladies involved sided by sided with men in power feel the need to maintain a look “that makes [them] look as if [they] are a Paris Hilton-ized Size 2.” They are “forced to project a pretty-in-pink image.” Why is there even a need for these women to appear beautiful to even have a spot besides these men?
As Griffith mentioned, we often see the older man-younger women teams on television. It reminds me of Sandra Cisneros's poem “Old Maids,” where it implies that women have some sort of expiration date. Youth does not stay forever, in particular a woman’s youth, and once past this limit, the woman is rendered useless. Oddly enough, for some reason, it is “acceptable” to see old men with younger girls; at times it is even admired. There may even be envious thoughts towards the old man who somehow got a hold of such an attractive young female and so full of life while the man could very well be on the verge of death. It seems that her purpose is to "liven" up the older man. When have you seen an older and serious woman and a perky young man on television and being a team together?
If women are objectified, then they are less threatening. As my mother always said, “Numbers are dead; I can handle them. How could you let something that’s not even alive defeat you?” The same concept could be applied here. If women can be seen as vases and portraits, simply to be admired and act as background sceneries, then they can be conquered. They are no longer threats. “Hilary in blue slacks” is a “nightmare,” because she is too similar to them. She is trying too much to integrate into their lifestyles and too close to taking over their lives.
Another question rises as we wonder when did we develop the idea that if you aren’t attractive, then eventually your other half will leave you? Shouldn’t marriage and a relationship be more than just the shallow surface? Where did inner beauty disappear to? It is one thing that this thought exists in the working world, but it is another when we realize that it also exists in our intimate lives. Again, it ties back to the poem “Old Maids." What happens when the man gets old? Does the wife leave the man because of his age and wrinkly appearance? What happened to staying together in sickness and in health till death do they part?
Why can’t we just stay young together in terms of our energy while refusing to let appearances cloud our judgment? The only thing we should admire from youth is the willingness to be rash and exclaim our thoughts – to have the ability to say what’s on our minds and deal with the consequences later.
Be empowered. Just do it! Be “young”! Have fun! Stay cool!
Be brave.
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