A Case for the Girl Crush

"All little girls should be told they are pretty, even if they aren't."

- Marilyn Monroe
       

As an individual who makes small efforts to keep up with contemporary society, I am constantly bombarded with imagery of women, the female body, and the commercial (read: not feminine controlled) sexualisation that goes along with these images. On television shows, in films, on commercials, images abound of hot ladies who are often projected as being overtly promiscuous to the point of fetish-lesbianism. This phenomenon has led to a widespread discomfort in many women of praising the beauty of others (and often condemning it) due to insecurity and a fear of seeming homosexual which, despite the massive but slow strides society has made forward, is still viewed as taboo when not delivered in a safe, sterile, "two hot straight chicks kissing for male viewers enjoyment but not actually to be taken seriously as a valid form of love" sort of way. Well, let me be the first to condemn this nonsense and say "hogwash" and "rubbish" to the whole idea.

"Success makes so many people hate you. I wish it wasn't that way. It would be wonderful to enjoy success without seeing envy in the eyes of those around you."

- Marilyn Monroe                       

I have been a strong supporter of the girl crush since I fell in love with Marilyn Monroe, Hollywood icon for the ages. Marilyn is physically beautiful, comically brilliant, and more glamourous than ten Real Housewives and all their disturbingly thin children combined. Not to mention she was tough. She had a difficult upbringing in and out of foster care, and she battled mental illness most of her adult life, but though she died young, she achieved a great deal and was very inspirational to me due to her magnetic personality, fearless sense of self, and her unabashed confidence at all times. Admiring Marilyn helped me to develop my own style, my own sense of self-deprecating humour, and encouraged a new type of body confidence where my body was the best type for me.

"Beneath the makeup and behind the smile I am just a girl who wishes for the world."

- Marilyn Monroe         

Obviously, as was the case with Marilyn herself, insecurity creeps into everybody's life at some point, but having girl crushes is a way for women to appreciate the power of girls and the strength a woman has whether it be displayed through her physical prowess as an athlete, her talent as a musician, her intelligence as a writer, her range and skill as an actor, her uncanny ability to dress in a unique and beautiful individual style, her marvelous sense of humour, or just her kindness of spirit. Obviously I am an individual with many a girl crush, but rather than feeling awkward about this I feel proud of it. I am secure enough with myself to appreciate another's achievements, to celebrate beauty on both internal and external levels, and to not bash other girls out of jealousy. We have been discouraged from having girl crushes for too long. Admiring another woman's beauty does not make you a social or sexual deviant!  It encourages sisterly support and love! It means you are comfortable with yourself and you can appreciate confidence and beauty in another!

"Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius, and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring."

- (yupp) Marilyn (freaking) Monroe (said that)


So don't be jealous - be inspired. Don't hate on other girls (unless they are bad people, but that is a different and totally acceptable type of judgment to be passed), and definitely don't hate on yourself because you do not feel that you could ever be as clever as Tina Fey or as cool as Karen O or as off-the-wall as Lady Gaga. Inspiration and individuality is the message here. Let Marilyn be your guide.

CURRENTLY READING: Freedom by Jonathan Franzen. I am pretty excited because this has been on my booklist since its release. Not to worry, I am sure I will either rant or rave (or both) about it at some point.