#LikeAGirl

By FNN Reporter Theresa Matthews.  Photo by J’kya Jordan and Aniya Wallace.

One of the best super bowl commercials of 2015 was “Like a Girl” by Procter & Gamble for Always. The hashtag was #LikeAGirl and as of this writing the video on YouTube has over eighty million views.

This commercial was about how girls are perceived. It was made by Sundance  film festival award winner, Lauren Greenfield.   She tells You Tube , "In my work as a documentarian, I have witnessed the confidence crisis among girls and the negative impact of stereotypes first-hand. When the words 'like a girl' are used to mean something bad, it is profoundly disempowering. I am proud to partner with Always to shed light on how this simple phrase can have a significant and long-lasting impact on girls and women. I am excited to be a part of the movement to redefine 'like a girl' into a positive affirmation." To view the video go here: http://youtu.be/XjJQBjWYDTs.

Did you ever hear someone say “ You throw like a girl”? The video shows what society thinks it means to do something like a girl.  For example, show me how to throw, run or fight like a girl. This video shows how the same concept is viewed differently by society.

The empowering message shows how girls  are incredible and when someone says “You throw like a girl,” it should not be offensive, but a compliment. Think of talented girls who can throw. Monet Davis is one great example of what it looks like to throw like a girl.  Even though we may have a society that may not treat girls equally, we can still overcome negative perceptions.   

Gabby Douglas,  Monet Davis, Rosa  Parks, Mae Jemison, Lisa  Kimberly Bryant, Cheryl Swoops, Lisa Leslie, Marie Curie...What do all these girls have in common?  They all are major role models for what it means to do something like a girl.  

Ask someone what it looks like to do something like a girl and you will hear a long list of examples that will empower, celebrate and prove why girls are equally talented, unique and as intelligent as boys. If someone asks you to do something like a girl, I hope you will include the intelligent and talented people that have made a positive impact on what it means to do something like a girl.    

Theresa Matthews is a 7th grade scholar, J’kya Jordan is a fifth grade scholar and Aniyah Wallace is an eighth grade scholar at Friendship Chamberlain Academy.