In a recent online post, someone made a powerful statement that has sparked a heated debate on social media. The statement reads, “You cannot rebrand oligarchy as feminism,” and it was in response to Elle magazine promoting a ‘historic’ Blue Origin space flight by King, Perry, and Bezos’s fiancee Lauren Sanchez. This statement has struck a chord with many, and it brings to light an important issue that needs to be addressed.
The term ‘feminism’ has been gaining momentum in recent years, with more and more people identifying themselves as feminists. It is a movement that advocates for gender equality and the empowerment of women. However, in recent times, there has been a growing concern that the term is being misused and exploited for personal gain. And the recent promotion of the Blue Origin space flight is a prime example of this.
For those who are not aware, Blue Origin is a spaceflight company owned by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos. The company recently announced that they will be sending the first all-civilian crew to space, which includes Bezos himself, his brother Mark Bezos, 82-year-old Wally Funk, and 18-year-old Oliver Daemen. This news was met with mixed reactions, with some hailing it as a historic moment and others questioning the ethics behind it.
However, what caught the attention of many was the fact that two of the crew members, Wally Funk and Oliver Daemen, were chosen through an auction. And the winning bid for the seat was a staggering $28 million. This raised concerns about the elitism and privilege associated with space travel, and rightly so. But what made matters worse was the way this event was marketed and promoted as a ‘feminist’ moment.
Elle magazine, a well-known fashion and lifestyle publication, shared a post on social media promoting the Blue Origin space flight. The post featured a photo of the crew members, with the caption, “History will be made on July 20th when Wally Funk, 82, and Oliver Daemen, 18, join Jeff Bezos and his brother Mark on the first crewed spaceflight for Blue Origin.” The post also included the hashtag #feminist.
This post immediately received backlash, with many calling out the magazine for trying to rebrand oligarchy as feminism. And it is not hard to see why. The fact that two of the crew members were chosen based on their wealth and not their qualifications or achievements is a clear indication of the elitism and privilege associated with this space flight. And to label it as a ‘feminist’ moment is not only misleading but also insulting to the true essence of feminism.
Feminism is about breaking down barriers and creating equal opportunities for all, regardless of their gender, race, or socio-economic status. It is about empowering women and giving them a voice in a world that has long silenced them. And to use the term to promote an event that is clearly exclusive and elitist goes against everything that feminism stands for.
Moreover, this is not the first time that the term ‘feminism’ has been misused for personal gain. In recent years, we have seen numerous examples of companies and individuals using the term to sell products or promote their own agendas. This not only dilutes the true meaning of feminism but also undermines the struggles and sacrifices of those who have fought for gender equality.
It is time to stop rebranding oligarchy as feminism. We cannot allow the term to be exploited for personal gain and used as a marketing tool. Feminism is a powerful movement that has the potential to bring about real change in our society. But for that to happen, we need to use it in the right way and for the right reasons.
In conclusion, the recent promotion of the Blue Origin space flight as a ‘feminist’ moment is a clear example of how the term is being misused and exploited. We cannot let this continue. It is time to reclaim the true essence of feminism and use it to bring about real change and empower women. Let us not allow oligarchy to hide behind the mask of feminism any longer.
