Rashida Jones is back in the news again with her thoughts on the over sexualization of young women. She joined a panel on the Women In the World Summit, which was moderated by Mika Brzezinski from “Morning Joe.” I’m sorry, but Mika will always be known as “shaft grasper” in my mind thanks to Russell Brand. Mika is a pretty terrible public speaker, and she did no better at this event.
Rashida was far more composed in her discussion. She’s either had some coaching or has censored herself a bit on this topic. Last year she famously tweeted for celebrities to “stop acting like wh-res.” Rashida tried to make a point during her tweeted argument, but her entire message was lost in the presentation. Calling people “wh-res” immediately turns the topic to slut shaming, and all productive discussion is out the door. Rashida later took to Glamour to beg for an end to “the Year of the Very Visible Vagina.” She clarified that at this summit:
About those tweets: “I just had a boiling point … they called me an anti-feminist and a slut-shamer. I understand the instinct against not pitting women against each other but I was making a very specific comment about public artists who are there for public consumption.”
Looks definitely aren’t everything: “Once, a friend’s mom said to me when I was very young… ‘You can’t really invest in your looks as the only thing because it’s a depreciating asset. I think this is true…it’s like putting money into a stock that’s going down. Put your money, put your effort, invest in your brain and talent which will appreciate and get better as you get older.”
[From Yahoo!
Rashida’s words will hopefully resonate with young women — if they are listening. Investing in one’s looks is worth it for a short time, but it all eventually fades. You can’t stop the clock, and women are held up to such scrutiny as they age. Men are allowed much more freedom to “let themselves go” and still be seen as silver foxes who can pop a little Viagra and be as good as new. It’s not fair, but that’s how our society sees the subject. The best way women can deal with it is by accomplishing great things. Invest in family or invest in a career, or do both. But investing in looks always brings back diminishing returns. I agree with Rashida! I’m glad she stepped back and cleaned up her message.
Photos courtesy of WENN
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