Did the Barbie movie go too woke? Tudor Dixon and Peachy Keenan analyze the new Barbie movie and the woke themes present in the film on ‘Jesse Watters Primetime.’
Recently, I found myself obsessing over the movie “Barbie” after watching it. It has generated a range of reactions from individuals, inspiring and irritating, entertaining and enraging, and stirring and unsettling. Many applaud its message of female empowerment, while others criticize its portrayal of men as clueless, narcissistic, and power-hungry. The film vaguely tackles the concept of patriarchy, labeling it as a disease that the Barbies of Barbieland fight to eliminate.
Among the numerous opinions surrounding the film, its deeper implications may be overshadowed. This summer’s popular movie unexpectedly raises interesting connections to the most well-known book in history – the Bible. Margot Robbie stars in “Barbie,” a film that has both captivated and divided audiences.
“Barbie” and the Bible share a complicated relationship, one filled with both adoration and criticism. The beloved doll evokes nostalgia in those who cherish her, but it also perpetuates harmful female stereotypes and fuels body-image insecurities in young girls. Interestingly, the film’s main character is named “Stereotypical Barbie.”
Despite the Bible being revered as the most beloved book of all time, contemporary culture has developed a love/hate mentality towards it. While the biblical message has inspired significant social reforms such as women’s suffrage, the abolition of slavery, and the creation of hospitals, it is now blamed for promoting a toxic patriarchy.
This intriguing connection between “Barbie” and the Bible raises the possibility that Stereotypical Barbie may provoke a reevaluation of our perceptions about the Stereotypical Bible.
The film “Barbie” presents a stark portrayal of gender roles with clear distinctions between Barbieland’s female utopia and the Real World’s dystopia. Both realms are populated by individuals who adhere to traditional masculine and feminine behaviors, often portrayed in a comical manner. Men are depicted as truck-loving, sports enthusiast, while women are characterized as pink-wearing, hygiene-conscious nurturers.
Ironically, the movie’s final scene emphasizes this binary perspective even further when Stereotypical Barbie, now a real woman, visits a gynecologist for an appointment. Despite the presence of Hari Neff, a transgender actor, the binary nature of gender roles remains prominent in the film.
The Bible, too, has faced criticism for its portrayal of a gender binary. Several Bible verses, including Genesis 1:27, Genesis 5:2, Matthew 19:4, and Mark 10:6, affirm that God created humanity in His image as “male and female.” Like “Barbie,” the Bible confirms the existence of gender distinctions without acknowledging fluidity or a continuum.
The widespread praise for “Barbie” as a symbol of female empowerment despite its depiction of gender differences suggests that, regardless of our attempts to escape it, the same binary reality that the Bible has declared for centuries continues to influence our perspective.
Another noteworthy parallel between “Barbie” and the Bible can be found in the relationship between Barbie and Ken, and Adam and Eve, respectively. Ken dolls were created solely as Barbie’s companions, and despite Ken’s attempts to assert his own identity, he cannot escape the fact that he is derivative of and inferior to Barbie. Eventually, Stereotypical Barbie encourages Ken to find his self-worth independent of her, but he struggles with his identity since he exists solely because of Barbie.
In this aspect, “Barbie” accurately exposes the fact that a person’s worth and dignity are not determined by the order and purpose of their creation. This realization breaks the stereotype that Eve’s creation signifies women’s inherent inferiority to men.
While Eve’s creation from Adam’s rib in Genesis 2:21–22 may be seen as reinforcing the notion that she is subordinate to Adam, a closer examination reveals that it actually speaks to the equality intended for the original couple. Adam affectionately recognizes Eve as “bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh” (v. 23).
The apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of humility, reminding men that, just as woman was made from man, now man is born of woman, and everything comes from God (1 Cor. 11:12). Additionally, Genesis 1:27 affirms that both men and women bear God’s image equally. The order of their creation does not determine their worth and purpose. Barbie would likely agree with this perspective.
However, Stereotypical Barbie diverges significantly from the teachings of the Bible. As someone with Middle Eastern roots and a convert from Islam to Christianity, I find great significance in examining Jesus’ life as recorded in the Bible. Unlike the prevailing misogyny of his time, Jesus challenged societal norms and empowered both women and men.
“Barbie” aims to make men uncomfortable and sheds light on how degrading female stereotypes can affect women. While this is a valid point, the film sacrifices men’s dignity in its pursuit of highlighting women’s value. Jesus, on the other hand, consistently elevated women to equal status with men. He championed their right to education, used women as examples in his parables, and involved them in significant roles throughout his ministry and crucifixion. Moreover, women were the first witnesses to his resurrection, a pivotal moment in Christian belief.
While Jesus condemned mistreatment of women, he never belittled men. He shattered stereotypes that held women back without creating new stereotypes that demeaned men. A prominent atheist thinker in the U.K. once acknowledged that “Jesus was not a product of his time,” a sentiment I wholeheartedly agree with as a Middle Easterner. This is why women were drawn to the early Christian movement, seeking refuge from other religions and their subjugation of women.
If “Barbie” offers anything of value, it lies in its contrast with Jesus’ approach to dignifying women without denigrating others.
Finally, “Barbie” explores the existential aspects of being human and the challenges we face in forging our identity, purpose, and dignity through societal achievements, aesthetics, and recognition. When Barbie encounters the ghost of her creator, Ruth Handler, she learns that humans create concepts like patriarchy and Barbie dolls to bring meaning to a chaotic world. Barbie’s response is thought-provoking – she desires to be a participant in the creation of meaning, rather than simply accepting the meaning imposed upon her.
In this exchange, “Barbie” sheds light on the influence of popular culture’s stereotypes on our sense of self-worth. Each individual creates their own meaning and determines their value by shaping social structures and idolizing aspects of themselves, often in response to shortcomings. However, this process only leads to further angst when our efforts fall short.
In conclusion, “Barbie” provokes thought on various levels, raising questions about gender roles, biblical teachings, and societal values. While it may elicit mixed reactions, it presents an opportunity to ponder our own perceptions, the influences that shape them, and the pursuit of equality and dignity for all.
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