Journal 3: January 24, 2020

I’m seeing Little Women with Mom today. Normally I’m not one to see a movie before I’ve read the book, but I want to see it before the Oscars and there’s no way I can read a book that long by then while also saving time to do all the readings for my classes. So, I guess I’ll make an exception this time.

I think I’m really going to like this film. The casting is phenomenal— Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Meryl Streep, Laura Dern, Timothee Chalamet. But it’s also such an important story. I’m surprised such a book was even published in the 1860s, let alone such a book with a woman author and no pseudonym. Although what should really be surprising (and frankly, concerning) is that such a book is still relevant 150 years later.

I love that a movie about strong, bold, authentic women like this is getting so much Oscar buzz, but I’m still disappointed that the director, Greta Gerwig wasn’t nominated. Everyone seems to think she’s been snubbed of her rightful Oscar and are surprised that she wasn’t even nominated for the best director category. Of course, all five of the nominees are men…

It seems like there’s so much progress being made for the equality and empowerment of women and yet we still constantly see these kinds of setbacks. It’s been two steps forward, one step back for over a century. As a woman, this really concerns me. What kind of oppression, inequalities, and unfair treatment will I have to face? What kind of opportunities will be taken from me just because of my gender? Is there still a place for women? Do we even have a chance?