Little Miss Opinionated

by: Bella Carbone I recently saw Monkey Man at the movie theater and I have been reflecting on what I have just seen unfold on screen. As a media critic, I first thought I wanted to focus on rage in this film as a constant theme and the idea of injustice leading to such rage which is a commonly felt sentiment amongst marginalized people. Yet, something more striking has taken up my thoughts after sitting with this movie for about a day, and that is how gender is portrayed and performed. Disclaimer: I take to writing this reflection on the film as someone who has studied American queer media theory but I am not Indian nor am I the most well-versed on the gender-cultural relations in India. I do, however, really respect and love the incorporation of gender non-conforming characters who are marginalized but build community and seek refuge despite their oppression. Alas, since I am coming in appreciation, I will still begin to give a piece of my mind even though I am no expert on this su...

By: Bella Carbone Confidence is key if you are not going to let unattainable beauty standards and capitalist marketing tactics push insecurities and self-esteem issues on you. This is the reality for women. N ow, add being big onto that and whew you’re going to need a supersized confidence boost to withstand the brutal comments and negative emotions fueled towards and/or about your body. The fact that people do not know a single thing about me but have the belief that they can say something about my body to me, especially random men if I do not respond to them, truly baffles me. Like a) I know I am fat I live in this body daily your words don’t remind me any more than my entire existence already does and b) maybe I am just shy but I lack the courage to be an intentionally shitty and mean person if I do not have to be. Blame the American society for shoving cheap, chemical-filled, and sugary food into our throats as our countries in Europe ban ingredients that knowingly harm people. Thi...