I don’t normally, okay, I NEVER, write blog posts when I’m angry. So. I’m not angry now. Okay?
But.
This morning, while doing the breakfast dishes, I started watching a Youtube video by a woman I truly admire. Love her videos. And her message. Like, seriously LOVE.
But then she started on about how shallow many other Youtubers are. And how egocentric. And how all they want to do is get their face on camera. And grandstand. And talk about themselves and/or frivolous, first world rubbish. Yadda Yadda.
And it got my back up.
Sure. There are dickheads on Youtube. And Facebook. And Instagram. And down at the local IGA.
There are dickheads EVERYWHERE. And I say, so be it. It’s their world, too.
But the thing I want to say, the thing that’s gnawing at me, is this: As women, we need to be VERY careful when we chastise others for being visible. For speaking out. For getting in front of a camera and talking about their passions. We must realise that for many of us, being visible, putting our head above the parapet, is a constant challenge. It’s more than confronting. It’s really bloody scary. It takes courage. And we need role models.
In days not so long ago, women were burned at the stake for speaking out. We carry this memory in our dna. It haunts us. Whether we acknowledge it or not, it determines, for many of us, how we exist in the world. How we craft our lives.
Youtube has given countless women, all shapes, sizes, ages, colours and creeds, the opportunity to be SEEN. To speak out. To reach out. To express themselves in unprecedented ways. I realise I speak from the perspective of a white, middle-class Westerner. I am clearly privileged. But online opportunities are growing and spreading. Constantly. For the first time in history, we have an ever-expanding, international platform governed by—no one. No middleman, no suit, no gatekeeper, no church elder, and certainly no Minister for Good Taste and Proper Manners.
We can use this platform to get our message out there. To connect, inspire, educate, and encourage. We can also use it to build businesses and achieve financial independence.
We can use it to talk shit and preen, too. If that’s what we want.
Whether we use it to discuss politics or makeup, we have this remarkable tool right at our fingertips. We should celebrate it. Embrace it. Get down on our friggin knees and be thankful for it.
And we shouldn’t denigrate others just because they aren’t our cup of tea.
We don’t have to pop a vein over it.
All we have to do is change channels.
You have every right to be angry. I stand with you, Jen. Visible.
Totally and completely agreed! T AND C.
Jen, I am sorry you are feeling cross and cranky; maybe the piles of boxes have exacerbated this feeling but I agree, that woman should be supporting each other in whatever endeavour. I dashed off a cranky letter to the paper and our Premier about the two women ministers in the NSW govt who voted against!!! the bill to prevent harassment around Health Clinics..they both should be sacked. One is the Minister for Women !!
Something went wrong. Got down as far my brand new website (lots still to do to it) and the whole thing disappeared. Will start again.
Liked what you wrote. About women being able to put themselves out there and having the tools to do it. I made my first video a few days ago and deleted it because I hate looking and listening to myself and I’m scared – of not doing it well and being at the mercy of naysayers. I need to do it if I want to market my Aunt Sally stories.
I thought this was supposed to be a free country and a democratic one. Eg, I may not like what you say but I’ll fight to the death for your right to say it.
Well said, Jen. Touché! 😊
Oooh! Feisty and sassy. Good on you for expressing your anger! It’s great to hear another point of view – and I get yours I truly do! Good perspective on the topic. Funnily enough though I saw that Youtube too and thoroughly agreed with her perspective! Now I can agree with yours too. 😉 Haha! Excellent that we can all express ourselves here and it is OK, share understanding or rage at each other’s opinions even and we are still loved and accepted… (Although I do think many of these Youtubers are unwittingly controlled and conforming to all sorts of rules, laid down by society…) Your perspective gave the topic other dimension for me which I had not considered. Thank you. Rah! Xx