Chocoviv’s Lifestyle Blog

Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman and Margot Robbie were three of my favourite actresses. The characters that they had played before were some of the most memorable ones. So, naturally, I looked forward to watching “Bombshell”.

Summary

This movie was based on actual events that happened inside Fox News Channel. The top boss of Fox News Channel was Roger Ailes. He was a very ambitious and powerful man, who brought the channel to the top of its game. However, he was also rumoured to be a man of questionable behaviours towards women.

Due to his immense power to influence and create careers in the news world, women who wanted to succeed were told to “do as they were told”. Many did and became famous.

Finally, one of his “protégés” had had enough and decided to sue him. She was sure that she wasn’t the only one and that she needed this horrid behaviour to stop.

Photo Courtesy of http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSwSYLpRMxLGism5JXeDImBiIzTzZVwj_yh-qc0oSrzrllLUaTm

Themes

1) sexual harassment: One of the best quotes from near the end of the movie was “Women often question the existence of sexual harassment until it happens to them.” Worst part was the fact that after all has settled, the female characters involved would wonder if it’s what they did, what they wore or what they said that brought it upon themselves.

Women are “slut-shamed” and blamed whenever something happened. I still remember the time when I was followed by a drugged man who attempted to drag me off on a busy street. It was 8 o’clock in the evening with many cars. I was able to fight my way off with the minimal self-defense skills I learned in high school. As I was screaming for help, neighbours came pouring out and held the man down. I was lucky. Sadly, after all that, the officers told me that he was high on substance and would only be thrown into a “drunk tank” as I wasn’t hurt!

The coming days, I had family and friends who dared to ask me if I was wearing the wrong clothes!! I was wearing a coat and black pants! No one ever asked me how I was feeling or if I was alright inside. I looked fine and I wasn’t hurt physically. But emotionally and psychologically, I was devastated! But, I was determined to not let that incidence destroy me. Instead, I advocated that all girls needed to learn basic self-defense!

On a side note, years later, similar incidents happened on the same street again. I was volunteered to give a statement which I believed helped to catch the guy! Unfortunately, it was too long ago, so the current officers couldn’t find out and go after those two ridiculous officers who told me to let the guy go!

2) speaking up: Growing up, I was told to be quiet and not cause trouble. That did not sit well with my personality. Whenever I saw something that wasn’t right, I said something or did something about it. If there was unfairness or harassment towards my friends, I stood up for them.

Naturally, some of the boys would target me. But, I would fight back with my influence as a popular student. I spoke out against them.

Unfortunately, as an adult, I was again told to shut up and not cause any trouble whenever there was harassment and unfairness around me. I was only able to help my children to navigate safely through school as a volunteer. Many of the children enjoyed communicating with me including their parents, especially about some unpleasant interactions.

The adult world can be a cruel and unfair place. Whistleblowers are penalized and labelled a liar! This is the worst for women. How depressing it is sometimes…

Yay Or Nay

Yay! It is definitely a movie that I recommend both young women and men to watch. Our young men need to learn that some jokes are not tolerated. Respect for others is important!

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