"Some Girls Like Superheroes": Riley Knows What's Up About Gender and Marketing

I hate YouTube videos. Seriously. I am so resistant to clicking on YouTube links on my social media websites that usually people force me to watch things with them in person. But this past week, there was this video and it kept popping up on my Facebook whatever feed and it was called "Riley on Marketing." I didn't click it the first time, and then it showed up again. Then again. Then people started writing about it on the Internet. Then someone posted it to my organization's wall. Soon I started to feel like I was the only person on God's Green Earth who hadn't watched it, which is usually when I cave and watch a YouTube video. So I watched it.

It was great.

The video is a short and truly awesome devotional to the frustration of little girls and grown women everywhere who just can't fathom the way gender permeates our lives and obstructs us from making our own choices. It's an unscripted monologue that convinces you everything you're doing to smash the patriarchy is important: and working. And it gives you a little more faith in the future of feminism, or whatever it might become. Plus, it features the supporting character role of Totally In Agreement Dad.

It's the day after Christmas and last night your family said weird things to you and maybe even made you super sad / frustrated / confused. You deserve this.

Watch it.

25 responses to “"Some Girls Like Superheroes": Riley Knows What's Up About Gender and Marketing”

Firebolt (member)
December 26, 2011 at 7:16 am Permalink Log in to reply.Report user

If I might say so, Carmen, we are much alike. *nudgenudge* I had ignored this video until now as well. This is brilliant, that little girl is brilliant and I am now off to share this on every social network I use.

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1. Carmen (member)
  December 26, 2011 at 10:18 pm Permalink Log in to reply.Report user
  
  make me go viral i’ll love it
  
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Stuff Queer People Need To Know
December 26, 2011 at 7:47 am Permalink Log in to reply.

I did the same thing. Everyone had shared this video, and I was like, “What’s so great about this video about a little girl?” But it blew my mind. I was well into college before I could articulate ideas about gender the way she has.

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sam
December 26, 2011 at 8:39 am Permalink Log in to reply.

PREACH

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Lise (member)
December 26, 2011 at 10:16 am Permalink Log in to reply.Report user

Thank you !

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Sally (member)
December 26, 2011 at 11:27 am Permalink Log in to reply.Report user

First time I’ve heard aboot it… but very inspiring nonetheless, and so succinctly delivered by the young lady

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Maggie (member)
December 26, 2011 at 12:01 pm Permalink Log in to reply.Report user

That kid’s a BAMF

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Kate B (member)
December 26, 2011 at 12:19 pm Permalink Log in to reply.Report user

She could run for president on that platform and I would totally vote for her.

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1. Toby (member)
  December 26, 2011 at 12:34 pm Permalink Log in to reply.Report user
  
  RIley 2012: Some girls want superheroes.
  
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2. SC
  December 26, 2011 at 6:02 pm Permalink Log in to reply.
  
  i would love to see her in a presidential debate.
  
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saytheword (member)
December 26, 2011 at 5:06 pm Permalink Log in to reply.Report user

“It’s the day after Christmas and last night your family said weird things to you and maybe even made you super sad / frustrated / confused. You deserve this.”

You are amazing and completely correct. Thanks for this.

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DPreezy (member)
December 26, 2011 at 5:43 pm Permalink Log in to reply.Report user

Yes, some of us like superheroes!

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Liz (member)
December 26, 2011 at 9:03 pm Permalink Log in to reply.Report user

I taught Pre-K for two years and now teach kindergarten, and this little girl gives me so much hope.

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M (member)
December 27, 2011 at 12:43 am Permalink Log in to reply.Report user

this kid should just consider herself accepted to Smith College.

SO great.

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1. jj (member)
  December 27, 2011 at 12:47 pm Permalink Log in to reply.Report user
  
  Unless Agnes Scott snaps her up first. .
  
  Guess we know where my alma mater is, huh?
  
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Milo
December 27, 2011 at 1:48 am Permalink Log in to reply.

Hey, just a reminder, but most people have been good about it so far here: Don’t gender this kid! You don’t know if this is a boy or a girl or a genderqueer person or some other non-binary gender.

I saw some people writing things like “She’s going to grow up to be a strong, fine woman”

And that’s just messed up.

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Ofir
December 27, 2011 at 2:50 am Permalink Log in to reply.

This restored my faith in humankind

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Danielle
December 27, 2011 at 6:25 am Permalink Log in to reply.

F*in cute! This kid’s got awesome brain powers.

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jj (member)
December 27, 2011 at 12:45 pm Permalink Log in to reply.Report user

Happy dance on this one. I have two girls, and the pink explosion drives me nuts. This is why my kids can play with/wear anything (safe and not hookerish, duh) they damn well please.

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Mo (member)
December 27, 2011 at 1:05 pm Permalink Log in to reply.Report user

Love.

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Ayla (member)
December 27, 2011 at 1:22 pm Permalink Log in to reply.Report user

I wish I had realized this when I was her age. Sigh. Some hope for the future.

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Ash (member)
December 27, 2011 at 6:47 pm Permalink Log in to reply.Report user

I want to mail her this-
http://www.amazon.com/FunKo-2186-Funko-Wonder-Plushies/dp/B0040F0QR8/ref=sr_1_7?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1325040384&sr=1-7

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Paper0Flowers (member)
December 27, 2011 at 9:27 pm Permalink Log in to reply.Report user

I’m going to raise my future kids to be like that. Yup.

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kek
December 28, 2011 at 6:48 am Permalink Log in to reply.

this has actually completed the most gender-expressive-awesome christmas of my life. My awesome aunt (who has lesbian roommates and works at a shelter for homeless gay kids) bought me guys jeans behind my parent’s backs, my parents bought 3 year old (male) cousin a battle bot and kitchen play set, and no one made me wear a dress. This is icing on my joy cake.

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Celeste (member)
December 29, 2011 at 6:16 pm Permalink Log in to reply.Report user

(absolutely not to rain on the parade, because this is kind of wonderful)

whenever she was talking, she messed up her sentences more often when she was talking about boys doing “girl” things than girls doing “boy” things. i think it’s interesting how its become (more/relatively) accepted but equivalent progress hasn’t been made on the opposite side.

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