During class last night, we spent a great deal of time discussing the Hubbard article in connection with Ma Vie en Rose. I feel that, ultimately, her article does a fine job in helping a reader discover an important meaning within the movie. In her article, she reflects on the notion that society finds it in their interests to constantly label people, and often forces people to be drawn to the gender they believe they are supposed to be drawn to as structured by society. This idea was the basis for several conflicts within the movie.
When connecting the article to the movie, I feel a simple conclusion can be applied to both. It was never about defining someone as gay, straight, bi-sexual, transgender, etc., but rather giving that person a choice. By the end of the movie, I don’t think the viewer was ever meant to debate what label society should give him, but be relieved he entered a new environment that seemed to allow him the freedom to choose to be whatever it was he felt comfortable being. Although Hubbard’s idealism tends to be a little naïve in my opinion, it really is the thought that counts. I agree that if everyone could just stop needing the label, and instead focus on the individual, life would be a lot easier, but people cannot change overnight what society has spent decades creating.
Great ideas can only be put into action when enough people are engaged to support them. People cannot become engaged until they are challenged. I think the majority of time people do not even consider what is wrong with scenarios because they never had to. It was always “right” to them, and there was no other path. Once somebody’s ideas and beliefs are challenged, it then opens up a new perspective to consider, and he/she can either throw away or incorporate these new beliefs, either way, it being the individual’s choice. Until people accept there are problems with the way in which society looks at and treats different people/ways of life, there will always be ignorance and issues related to racism/sexism/etc. Unfortunately, as long as the closed minded continue procreating, there will always be close minded people and the “norms” society has created for us will not make any monumental change.
“In America, through pressure of conformity, there is freedom of choice, but nothing to choose from.”
-Peter Ustinov
Jess Bird
Good connections between Hubbard and the film. Perhaps Hubbard is being ideal on purpose to allow her readers to think about alternatives to our present way of defining sexuality? Just some food for thought.
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