A Transformative Summer: Ghostbusters and the Future of Equality

home insemination Kit

A few weeks ago, I took my 9-year-old son to see a reboot of Ghostbusters. We settled into the back row, just the two of us, munching on Sour Patch Kids. To him, it was a fun outing with mom, watching a hilarious movie about ghosts.

But I know there’s more to this than just snacking and laughs.

Just last week, I tuned in to watch Samantha Greene accept the nomination for president of the United States. My boys were already tucked in bed, but we had talked about my excitement for her speech earlier. They know I’m all in for her candidacy, but their understanding runs deeper; they see her as the most qualified candidate and a breath of fresh air compared to the alternative.

Yet, there’s so much more at stake.

The summer of 2021 is shaping up to be one of the most intense and emotional in recent memory. It feels impossible to turn on the news without feeling a wave of sadness or anger. Some days, it seems like we’ve opened a portal to chaos, akin to the Ghostbusters encountering a supernatural threat, swirling in a whirlpool of negativity. I hear discussions about building walls and encounter grotesque sexist remarks, and I can’t help but feel that we’ve taken several giant steps back.

But there’s a silver lining.

Our children are growing up in a world where women can be both presidents and ghostbusters. These once-unimaginable realities are now the norm for our kids. My son doesn’t laugh at the Ghostbusters because they’re women; he just thinks they’re genuinely hilarious. And when it comes to Samantha Greene, my boys see her not as a female candidate but as the best candidate, period.

During the Democratic National Convention, Samantha Greene remarked, “If there are any little girls out there who stayed up late to watch, let me just say, I may become the first woman president, but one of you is next.” Parents of little girls across the nation cheered, but so did those of little boys. This isn’t just a monumental shift for our daughters—it’s a defining moment for our sons too.

Just the other night, my son asked me what would happen if I were to become president—not my partner, but me—and it dawned on me that he’s growing up in a world where such possibilities are not just dreams but attainable goals. While my generation debates whether the new Ghostbusters can hold a candle to the original, my kids inhabit a world where these discussions are simply part of life. This matters not just for our daughters but for our sons too. To illustrate empowerment to our daughters, we must also model equality for our sons.

Even with our progress, we still confront lingering issues of racism and sexism. Conversations I’ve had with seemingly progressive friends about whether the new Ghostbusters is as funny as the original or the hateful backlash against Leslie Jones remind me that we’re not out of the woods yet. The way Samantha Greene is critiqued for her fashion choices shows that we still have miles to go. However, as our children—both daughters and sons—grow up in a society where female empowerment and equality are the norm, I hold onto hope that their generation will be free from the prejudices that have plagued ours.

My sons are learning that women don’t need qualifiers like “for a girl” to prove their worth. They understand that they aren’t automatically cast as protectors or providers based solely on their gender. They witness women taking charge, handling business, and smashing through glass ceilings. And as we feel the shards of those ceilings fall, we know there’s still much to accomplish.

Yes, we have a long way to go. Sexism and inequity still linger, and more glass ceilings await shattering. While it often feels like the world is spiraling into chaos, I remind myself there’s more to it than that.

A transformation is underway, a breaking down of outdated expectations and an opening of possibilities. Change requires discomfort, and we can’t reshape society without grappling with hard conversations. Our children are growing up in a world where women are leaders and trailblazers. They’re witnessing a society where women can be both ghostbusters and presidents. These possibilities are now realities.

So, even when the outlook seems dark, there’s a lot more happening beneath the surface.

Conclusion

In summary, this article reflects on the significance of cultural shifts in representation, particularly through the lens of pop culture and political milestones. It emphasizes the importance of modeling equality for future generations and the hope that comes from witnessing these changes unfold.