I think it’s fair to say that I mean a lot about a lot. When I also have the ability (or the will at least) to express it loudly, then sometimes I have to protect myself. From myself.
Some will probably feel that that it’s quite okay. That I protect them too, in a way. By not saying so much. That it’s PERFECTLY OKAY with ladies that doesn`t say much. That doesn`t mean much (“…is there ANY TOPIC, AT ALL, you don`t feel strongly about!!?”). But then again. It`s not them that are my biggest concern here, -but myself. I mean. I can`t get myself completely worn-out either, can I?
If someone had said to me that I, at some point, would write a text that in a way `ripped down` on Save the Children, – then of course I would never have believed them. I mean, -there are so many else to write texts about. Donald Trump, for example. Putin. The people of North Korea. But then there`s the case of me never having had any particular expectations to them, in the first place. Consequently, I don`t get as `pulled` (quite pulled, yes. But not as pulled). If anyone now wonder what kind of mood I`m in, when I`m “pulled”, I really can`t give a great answer to that. I guess it falls under a somewhat informal, everyday speech. But what I can say: it’s NOT good. Maybe you can imagine a small spinning top that is “pulled up”? And when the spinner top is `properly pulled up`, it can spin around -and around -and around- and around. In anger. Kind of.
If someone had said that I, at some point, would write a text that in a way `defended` Sophie Elise Isachsen, I probably wouldn`t have believed that either. Not that I have any problem defending `bloggers` on a general basis. Absolutely not. In a way, I’m a blogger myself (apart from the tan, of course, -fifteen years and a lot of makeup). But sometimes stuff hits you right in the forehead. And there`s no getting by. And you get agitated. Really agitated.
The background, for those who haven`t heard. Save the Children`s youth-organization, also called “Press” (in Norway, at least) have handed out a prize (a golden Barbie) to “the person/organization within media and advertising who are best at making young people feel their worst”. Yeah, that`s right. They came up with a prize for people who are the absolute worst (!). The lousiest of the lousiest. Or if you will; people who are best at making others feel worst (!). Maybe it`s just me. Maybe I have gotten it all wrong, at some point or another. Cos I thought the WHOLE POINT with prices was to focus on the good things. People, or organizations, who do good. And which we will give `the recognition they deserve`. So that we, hopefully, get more of the good stuff. At least that’s how I thought it was. But Save the Children’s youth organization, on the other hand, thought it was a good idea to make sure that these, the worst, had their well-deserved time in the spotlight. SAVE THE CHILDREN`S youth organization. Thought that THAT was a good idea (!). We`re talking about one of the world’s leading organizations for children. Where their purpose clause states that the organization “works for a world where children’s rights, as formulated in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, are fulfilled”. That sure calls for applause if you ask me. That is awe-inspiring stuff, without doubt. And precisely why I have tremendous respect for the organization and the people who work in it. Therefore, what goes with it, are certain expectations. From my end. Expectations of certain standards being followed. Ethics. Morals. Stuff like that.
So, for the specifics. The golden Barbie is awarded to people who make young people feel their worst – by using “one-sided beauty ideals, old gender roles and unnecessary sexualization”. Already, I’m stunned. How, and just as importantly, why (!), – should they dictate what is necessary and unnecessary sexualization??! For me, it`s as though I should walk up to the mother who accompanies her child in the schoolyard, wearing short skirts and high heels, saying; “Girl. Aren`t you going for some unnecessary sexualization, here?!”. You can`t do that. You can wonder whether (or not) she freezes her ass off. That, you can do. Of course. But nothing else. Also, you can assume that wearing so little probably was her choice. By all means, it probably was her decision to wear the little (and not the rest), that morning. As goes for Miss Isachsen, I can see, more than anything, a hardworking young lady. Also, outside her home. And therefore, by definition, she breaks with `old gender roles`. As for the `one-sided beauty ideal`, I think it will be very difficult, for Miss Isachsen, to embrace` several beauty ideals`, with only one body (…). And yes. Even though Sophie Elise Isachsen made herself “AS” (Ltd/Inc) (I guess for both practical and financial reasons, – and which is completely legal, at least, last time I checked) she only represents herself. With everything that she is. Her complexes. Her strengths. Her dreams, – and her fantasies. From a very young age, she was read by hundreds, and eventually thousands, of young Norwegian girls (and probably boys as well). Precisely because she was open about her struggles. The eating disorder. The self-harm. Destructive thoughts. It was hardcore material, but it was recognizable. For many. And so she got herself a name. And fans. And haters. Sponsors. Advertisers. Because she was honest. About everything.
I am not stupid. I get the intention. Save the Children’s Youth Organization want to protect children and young people. They hand out the prize to people they believe harm young people`s mental health. Nothing is more important than the well-being of our children. Or yes. Something else is. The mental health of others. The goal does not sanctify the mean. Not now. Not ever. How about, instead, trust that we, the parents, can talk to our children? Talk, with them. That we, through conversations and guidance, can help them – and maneuver them through a tough landscape. For yes! It`s tough! Transparency comes with a cost. Openness can lead to many people finding comfort – while others will get `triggered`. We adults have a responsibility. That’s not Sophie Elise’s responsibility. It’s ours! It is us, parents and adults, who must give the children the tools they need in the face of the `real world`. Or the retouched, allegedly world they now face, – more than ever.
Dear Press. Dear Save the Children’s Youth Organization. Use your voice for better things. Useful things. Create campaigns. Debate clothing stores’ size policy. Discuss the advertisements Tik-Tok accept on their platform. Open up for conversations about how we can support each other. Support ourselves. Focus on the good things. It never goes out of fashion. Make companies that work in line with their values visible. Who makes better choices, – today. Throw away the Barbie, – and look for the roses.
Practice what you preach.
“We love the big things in life, and humanity, – but we cannot stand the individuals who come in our way – often beaten down by life itself, all bloody and messed-up, unappetizing at times“
-Ebba Haslund