Thought of the day...

[partly]

An orgasm a day keeps the doctor away.

Mae West

I have always admired Mae West. She was who she was and didn't apologize or make excuses. On of my other favorite quotes: "When I'm good, I'm very good. But when I'm bad, I'm better." She lived her life the way she wanted, in a time when it was downright dangerous for a woman to do so. Especially since she was a woman who chose to acknowledge and revel in her sexuality.

I look at Mae West – her strength, her control over her life – and I am constantly amazed that so many people idolize Marilyn Monroe instead of Mae West. Marilyn was undeniably beautiful, but she was never strong. Her relationships may have been with the most powerful, influential men of the time but it's obvious that she's just a trophy – especially where JFK is concerned.

The difference: Marilyn Monroe needed men. Mae West had all the men she needed.

You know, I look back on the old Hollywood icons: Mae West, Lucille Ball, Katharine Hepburn, Maureen O'Hara … how the hell did we go from that to idolizing the drunken, "ooops! I forgot my panties" pop-culture stars of today? And most importantly why do we – especially those of us who happen to be women – allow it to continue? And most importantly how do we - specially those of us who happen to be women - affect change in this?

Edited to say what I really meant...

Comments

[imbri6.livejournal.com]

I have no interest in the "ooops! I forgot my panties" pop-culture "stars" of today... but apparently no one cares about my opinions. Which I find odd, actually, because I would think that I'm in a demographic they'd like to attract! I'm single, so no spouse or children to spend my $$ on, and I've a *great* job that pays me quite very well with a rather lot of disposable income.

[partly.livejournal.com]

I have no interest in the "ooops! I forgot my panties" pop-culture "stars" of today... but apparently no one cares about my opinions.

I totally agree. I know a great many women/people who think this way and yet we don't seem to have any influence.

There is much I don't understand but the complete lack of respect from advertisers and marketing people toward adult, strong women is one of the most confusing.

[partly.livejournal.com]

Made a minor change in my post so it says what I really mean rather than being confrontational.

[donnickcottage.livejournal.com]

I think there was a generational gap between May and Marilyn, and different audiences adore different celebs.

I no fan of celebrity, I idolize none of them, but I think a lot more people that do actually like stars that are more grounded. It's the press that loves the Britney's because just living your life like everyone else is boring and certainly won't sell magazines.

[partly.livejournal.com]

That's true.

It's just that since my daughter has turned 15 and is looking at learning how to be woman in this day and age, I'm hyper aware of the images shown to her by the world around her. I watch her friends and I pay attention to what is the current example of "womanhood" that plays to that age. It's disheartening.