It’s been a busy – and controversial – year for Wonder Woman.
In October 2016, the United Nations made a curious appointment: Wonder Woman would be the global organisation’s new Ambassador for Women’s Empowerment, aligned with the launch of a new campaign to fuel Sustainable Development Goal number five, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls by 2030.
The announcement, which coincided with Wonder Woman’s 75th birthday and a new Hollywood super-production about the comic book character, was met with a great deal of criticism.
The announcement, which coincided with Wonder Woman’s 75th birthday and a new Hollywood super-production about the comic book character, was met with a great deal of criticism.
While the fictional feminist icon has long been a representative of strong, liberated women, her Western appearance, sexualised image and unrealistic beauty don’t resonate with millions of young women around the world. They’re actually alienating.
Feminists skewered the decision. Was the UN implying that no flesh-and-blood woman was up to the task?
Over 44,000 people signed a petition resulting in “one less woman in politics”. Just as quickly as she’d got it, Wonder Woman lost her job.
What’s a feminist?
She’s still winning at the box office though. The film, released on June 2, has already brought in US$571 million worldwide.
Top Comments
Women (and men) come in all colours, sizes and personalies. No one person will ever "represent" them all.
We grew up with Lynda Carter playing Wonder Woman. Despite her strangly American shorts we thought she was awesome.
When the new Wonder Woman, played by Gal Godot, made her first appearance in Batman Vs Superman the man on my right in the Cinema voiced the thought I had at the same time "couldn't they have picked anyone skinnier".
Yes the new Wonder Woman is strong, etc. but while all the male Superheros are big and strong, extraordinary because they're not mere mortals. She is tiny. Does this make a difference? YES. We really need female Superheros. But we need them to be big, strong, capable extraordinary women. She came from an Island inhabited solely by woman. She did not come from anywhere where she had to starve herself to become what male Society deems acceptable. Personally I was so disappointed at the wasted chance to have a woman superhero arrive that rivals her male counterparts.
As for her being Israeli. I can totally understand Lebanon's stance as the actress has been very vocal in her Israeli beliefs for dominance and war against other peoples.