Jack & Jones recently released an advertisement that showed Ranveer Singh carrying a miniskirt-clad girl on his shoulder with a tag line - ‘Don’t hold back. Take your work home.’
This advertisement came in for widespread condemnation because it blatantly portrayed sexism, which was believed to be on the wane, if not dead & buried.
It also served as a rude wake-up call for many of us that far from waning, sexism was very much prevalent & thriving – not just in isolated pockets but also across the world.
Don’t believe me? Let me get Madonna, the material girl, who enjoys unmatched popularity across the world to prove this contention!
In an emotional speech, delivered at Billboard Women in Music 2016, she shared her take on sexism, misogyny, and feminism.
‘I stand before you as a doormat. Oh, I mean, a female entertainer. Thank you for acknowledging my ability to continue for over 34 years in the face of blatant misogyny, sexism constant bullying & relentless abuse’. Having set the context, she continued, ‘… you are allowed to be pretty & cute & sexy .. but don’t act too smart, don’t have an opinion… don’t have an opinion that is out of line with the stats quo at least. You are allowed to be objectified by men & dress like a slut, but don’t own your sluttiness. And do not, I repeat, do not share your own sexual fantasies with the world! Be what men want you to be... and finally, do not age because to age is a sin...’
Bottom Line: Sexism is alive & kicking all over the world & women from all section of society seem to be at the receiving end. Shame on us!
(Originally published in December 2016)