Photo credit: Darwin Bell via Foter.com / CC BY-NC
Many of us are in need of some serious comfort after last week’s election results. So here’s a list of movies and TV shows I have been/will be watching to try to lift my spirits and maintain sanity without giving in to total despair over the state of our country:
Movies
Aladdin
Personally, I can’t think of anything more comforting than a classic Disney movie I can watch while singing along to all the songs at the top of my voice (yes, my neighbors do love me. Why do you ask?) It doesn’t hurt that this particular classic features characters who look a lot like some of the people Trump has been hating on. Just try to overlook the part where the movie makes it look like stealing is acceptable…
Dear White People
This is an excellent dramedy about race in an American college. It’s witty and insightful and funny. The white dude who claims it’s harder to be a white dude than anything else in America today is eerily reminiscent of Trump who cries “unfair” every time something doesn’t go his way. Also, personally, I found it easy to laugh at the racist Halloween party as something that “would never actually happen.” Then, during the credits, they reminded me that it totally is happening all across America. Goddammit, white people.
Dreamgirls
Jennifer Hudson. ‘Nough said.
Legally Blonde
I saw the women holding posters emblazoned with “Women for Trump” on election night. I was disappointed, and I don’t understand them, even as I recognize that female sexists have been around as long as sexism. Many of us try to keep each other down, even if we’re not consciously aware of it and this movie brings them all out. Let’s not forget that women can be beautiful and do their hair and wear makeup and still kick ass when it counts.
42
I don’t really like watching baseball, but for some reason I love baseball movies. This one happens to be an excellent movie about baseball and breaking down barriers. It’s also a great reminder of how far we’ve come so you don’t give in to despair about how far we still have to go.
A League of Their Own
Another great movie about baseball that I love despite still not loving baseball. It’s also about breaking barriers and just one of the ways women stepped up when most of the country’s men were fighting overseas.
TV
Pitch
I hesitated to get into this show because of the above-mentioned lack of interest in baseball. But then I remembered the two baseball movies I love, so I started binge watching this series after the Cubs won the World Series (go Cubs!) It’s about a woman breaking into Major League Baseball and it’s a super smart feminist show that does an incredible job of discussing some of the challenges groundbreakers have to face. It doesn’t hurt that the main character, Ginny Baker, is not only a woman, but a black woman.
Parks and Recreation
It took me a while to get on board with this show, but once I gave it a chance, I was all in. It’s a super smart feminist show that talks openly about the discrimination women have to face in our day-to-day lives, as well as the inanities of politics. Leslie Knope’s passion for her job, her optimism, and her firm belief in doing what’s right are extremely refreshing in the face of an election in which a frightening number of people got so sick of lying career politicians they voted for a white dude who is completely unqualified for the position. Also Leslie’s race for a seat on the city council against a rich white dude who decided to campaign just for kicks and has no interest in actually doing the job is eerily similar to Hillary’s recent campaign.
Supergirl
I know. Another show starring a blonde chic. But that blonde chic is also technically an illegal alien, which means Trump would be working to get her out of the country, if not off the planet. It’s also a show that manages to have some really excellent discussions about being inclusive and welcoming all kinds of people into your life, your country, and your planet. The extraterrestrial aliens Supergirl deals with are a not-so-subtle metaphor for aliens coming to America from other countries and Supergirl works hard to fight for all their rights. That said, Supergirl’s not perfect. She has her own baggage and limitations, but she also has awesome friends who call her out when she’s being stupid and she’s wise enough to recognize her mistakes. If only we could all be so mature *looking at you, Trump.*
What are you guys watching this week? Anything else that’s inclusive or just plain comforting?