If I Stumble, They're Gonna Eat Me Alive

After hearing the song in the beginning of Miss Representation, I knew I was going to enjoy this film. It was a song I had not heard for ages, but I knew that I liked. So, naturally, I looked it up when I went home on the World Wide Web (I only had to type in a few lyrics and it popped up. Isn't that amazing?). I never realized the true weight of the song. It's not about falling, or hammers, as a literal interpretation would suggest; it's about society. 

"If I stumble, they're gonna eat me alive." In society and the media, especially for women, if you make one mistake, the masses will criticize and gossip nonstop. I feel so bad for celebrities. They have to be so perfect all the time! If they make one little stumble, they will be eaten alive by the press. We must be so seemingly perfect and secure or else we will be eaten alive. This creates some major emotional constipation as well as fear. The song is called "Help I'm Alive" by Metric. A typical cry for help is to keep one alive. This song is asking for help because one is alive. I guess in this day and age it is scarier to be alive. With all of this pressure, self-consciousness, and misrepresentation, why would anyone want to live? I was a bit skeptical of the narrator's fears for her daughter in the film (I still think she shouldn't raise her child in fear), but now I see where she is coming from. It's not easy to live anymore. We need to put so much energy in ourselves. If we put too much energy, we are conceited. If we don't put enough, we aren't feminine enough. Where does it stop?! "Hard to be soft, tough to be tender." You can't be sensitive when dealing with the media. It is harsh. It is mean. When we develop this barrier, it can create more emotional constipation and lead to future social disabilities. And also, if you are overtly sensitive, there will probably be some backlash and sexist comments. "What shouldn't I do?" I feel like those in the spotlight and basically anyone living in this world subconsciously asks this question. If we misstep, don't think people will forget it. I find it funny how we tend to remember the mean or bad things people do, rather than focus on all of the other good things that they have done in their life. The world is truly manic...

I only have one major opposition to the film. I think people have the power to not be susceptible to the influences and pressure of them media. Anyone, if they try, can realize what they are looking at. No, it's not easy, but it helps. If anyone has the power to do this, it would be us. We have these skills of a critical thinker. We have taken this class and should be able to be aware of the misrepresentation, assumptions, and fallacies the media presents. It starts with us. I also think it's important to be raised in a way that when you grow up, you'll be able to look at yourself with no criticism or comparison. You should strive to be the way you want to be, not the person you saw on Instagram. 



Listen to the song here!