An off-tackle run isn’t the only “offensive” thing you’ll see during the Super Bowl. When it comes to the Super Bowl, men are the target audience for advertisers and while ads have become more global (check out this one!) the world has not yet reached gender equality, which means you are bound to encounter some sexist comments and sexism in media and advertising.
Fortunately, some companies have become more conscious about the blatant sexism in advertising. Kudos this year to Axe Body Spray.
Axe Body Spray circa 2014:
2016 commercial:
But some still don’t get it.
Because it shouldn’t require a car for a dad to trust his daughter will be safe.
So, whether you’re catching others in the room up on #BecauseIts2015, or rolling your eyes at sexism, no matter how “subtle,” in ads – here are 10 feminist quotes you can use to encourage some gender equality on a male dominated day this Sunday. And, while you’re at it, remind all people in your life that achieving gender equality requires both men and women.
1)
2) “No generic girlfriend or wife, and no sexy bombshell. Enough of that already!"
-Zoe Saldana
3) "When God created man and woman, he was thinking, 'Who shall I give the power to, to give birth to the next human being?' And God chose woman. And this is the big evidence that women are powerful."
-Malala Yousafzai
4) “Girls see enough of this body that they will never be able to obtain... It's an amazing opportunity to rid ourselves of that in this industry."
-Jennifer Lawrence
5) "I was raised to believe that excellence is the best deterrent to racism or sexism. And that's how I operate my life."
- Oprah Winfrey
6)
7) "The human race is like a bird and it needs both wings to be able to fly. And, at the moment, one of these wings is clipped an we're never going to be able to fly as high."
-Emma Watson
8)
9) “I always get asked, ‘Where do you get your confidence?’ I think people are well meaning, but it’s pretty insulting. Because what it means to me is, ‘You, Mindy Kaling, have all the trappings of a very marginalized person. You’re not skinny, you’re not white, you’re a woman. Why on earth would you feel like you’re worth anything?' But why wouldn't you?'”
-Mindy Kaling
10) “I am a woman with thoughts and questions and shit to say. If I say I’m beautiful, if I say I’m strong. You will NOT determine my story – I will.”
- Amy Schumer
Because yoga is a spiritual practice for both men and women, not a spectacle of women in spandex for a Bud Light commercial, and some girls enjoy watching football despite what this Doritos ad wants you to think. So speak up for gender equality on Sunday (and every day), share the positive and diverse portrayals of men and women you see, and advocate for more.
And if you get any haters, just turn to the boss of comedy…