America Ferrera’s Powerful Barbie Monologue: A Message of Empowerment
“It is literally impossible to be a woman. You are so beautiful, and so smart, and it kills me that you don’t think you’re good enough. Like, we have to always be extraordinary, but somehow we’re always doing it wrong.
You have to be thin, but not too thin. And you can never say you want to be thin. You have to say you want to be healthy, but also you have to be thin. You have to have money, but you can’t ask for money because that’s crass. You have to be a boss, but you can’t be mean. You have to lead, but you can’t squash other people’s ideas. You’re supposed to love being a mother, but don’t talk about your kids all the damn time. You have to be a career woman, but also always be looking out for other people. You have to answer for men’s bad behavior, which is insane, but if you point that out, you’re accused of complaining. You’re supposed to stay pretty for men, but not so pretty that you tempt them too much or that you threaten other women because you’re supposed to be a part of the sisterhood. But always stand out and always be grateful. But never forget that the system is rigged. So find a way to acknowledge that but also always be grateful. You have to never get old, never be rude, never show off, never be selfish, never fall down, never fail, never show fear, never get out of line. It’s too hard! It’s too contradictory and nobody gives you a medal or says thank you! And it turns out in fact that not only are you doing everything wrong, but also everything is your fault.
I’m just so tired of watching myself and every single other woman tie herself into knots so that people will like us. And if all of that is also true for a doll just representing women, then I don’t even know.” - America Ferrera, Barbie
In a world where societal expectations often limit individuality, the Barbie Movie takes center stage, showcasing a journey of empowerment and self-discovery that challenges stereotypes and redefines beauty and success
The powerful monologue delivered by America Ferrera's character, Gloria, in the 2023 Barbie movie highlights the complex and contradictory expectations that society often places on women. It expresses the immense pressure on women to conform to unrealistic standards of beauty, behavior, and success.
This monologue resonates deeply with the concept of women's empowerment by shedding light on the pervasive double standards and the constant struggle women face in trying to meet society's conflicting demands. As a young woman, I find this monologue incredibly relatable and thought-provoking. It reminds me that the expectations placed on women are often unattainable and that it's essential to challenge these societal norms.
It encourages us to embrace our individuality and reject the notion that we must fit into a specific mold to be considered successful or worthy. The monologue serves as a powerful call to action for women to support each other, break free from these constraints, and work toward a more equitable society where women can thrive without the burden of unrealistic expectations.
Much like this monologue, one of the five central themes of the Bahá’í Chair is the Empowerment of Women and Peace, which recognizes the pressing need to break free from the constraints of traditional gender roles and expectations. Just as Barbie's journey calls for a reevaluation of societal norms, the Bahá’í Chair's commitment to empowering women is a crucial step toward fostering a more equitable and peaceful world, where women are encouraged to embrace their individuality and contribute to a harmonious global community. - Eden Adhanom
The highly anticipated Barbie Movie, released this past summer, is much more than a nostalgic film paying homage to a beloved childhood toy. It is a love letter to women celebrating female empowerment by highlighting the amazing qualities women seem to forget they have. The movie was full of humor, heartfelt moments, and powerful messages that could be enjoyed by people of all ages. Walking into the movie, I expected a light-hearted plot showing the typical stereotypes related to Barbie dolls but I left with an appreciation for women and the challenges they face in their everyday lives.
One of the biggest takeaways from the movie is America Ferrera’s monologue about what it means to be a woman. Her character’s speech went viral on social media for its important message about the unrealistic standards women are held to in both the real world and Barbie Land. It accurately describes a woman’s struggle to just be herself as someone will always have something to criticize about women.
I believe the monologue to be spot on when it comes to the picture society has painted of women. For example, in the first line of the second paragraph, Ferrera’s character talks about how women have to achieve the “perfect” look but how it's nearly impossible. Being too thin is frowned upon but not being thin enough is criticized as well. The comparisons Ferrera draws throughout the monologue I find I can relate to and I thought it was one of the most beautiful and compelling scenes throughout the movie.
The monologue directly relates to one of the Bahá’í Chair's five central themes, Empowerment of Women and Peace. Like the Barbie Movie, the Bahá’í Chair emphasizes the importance of women and gender equality. It is necessary for women to overcome the stereotypes placed on them and to do so with the support of societies all around the world. While Barbie displayed an over-exaggerated world ruled by patriarchy, it is not far off from the world we live in today. Both the Barbie Movie and The Bahá’í Chair understand the significance of empowering women to make a better and more peaceful world that embraces every individual's unique qualities. - Zoe Lebovic
Margot Robbie, left, Alexandra Shipp, Michael Cera, Ariana Greenblatt and America Ferrera in a scene from “Barbie.” (Warner Bros. Pictures via The Associated Press)
About the Authors:
Zoe is a senior at the University of Maryland studying Marketing. She plans on attending law school after graduation. Zoe is excited to use her creativity with the Bahá'í Chair for World Peace while learning about important social, political, and economic issues.
To learn more about Zoe: www.linkedin.com/in/zhlebovic
Eden is a Graduate Assistant with the Baha’i Chair for World Peace. She is attending the University of Maryland and pursuing a Master of Public Health in Health Care Management. She graduated from the University of Maryland in 2023 with a B.S. in Public Health Science. Her interests are in health disparities and policy.