EFFORTPOST Barbie and Oppenheimer - Let's Chat!

In anticipation of Oppenheimer and Barbie, I thought it may be interesting to chat a bit about the themes that surround the films. This will be a long post, but I hope you enjoy it.

PART 1 - OPPENHEIMER and ENOLA GAY

Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Homosexuals have always existed, and they will always continue to. Nevertheless, the US military, for a long time, attempted to deny the existence of homosexuality, and it was listed as a deviant behavior that could result in a dishonorable discharge. For g*mers who are familiar with Red Dead Redemption, this is what is theorized to have happened to Bill.

Nevertheless, there were plenty of gays and lesbians in the military. The military was actually great for homosexuals! They were away from home for the first time, and in same-s*x communities, attraction and love inevitably formed. Many men discovered their sexuality in the military, and the prevalence of this is an open secret.

Despite the threat of persecution, gay and lesbian servicemembers thrived during World War II. As with most young soldiers, many had never left their homes before, and the war provided them an opportunity to find community, camaraderie, and, in some cases, first loves

As many of you may know, drag is a tradition in the military, and not just the USA. A somewhat clandestine newsletter called "Myrtle Beach B-word" was formed and distributed among queer servicemen and women.

https://gaycitynews.com/he-learned-from-the-master/

With the help of a straight soldier who was in charge of the base’s mimeograph machine, the uniformed duo managed to produce five issues of the newsletter before they were caught and sent to federal prison for a year.

Enola Gay

In 1945, as we all know, Germany surrendered and the USA dropped Little Boy on Hiroshima. The atomic bomb was carried by a Boeing B-29 which was manned by Pilot Tibbits. On the morning that the bomb was to be dropped on Hiroshima, Tibbits had his mother's name (Enola Gay Tibbits) painted on the nose of the plane, which enraged commander Robert Lewis. Why did Tibbits do this?

... my thoughts turned at this point to my courageous red-haired mother, whose quiet confidence had been a source of strength to me since boyhood, and particularly during the soul-searching period when I decided to give up a medical career to become a military pilot. At a time when Dad had thought I had lost my marbles, she had taken my side and said, "I know you will be all right, son."

Hiroshima Gay

The G7 summit is an annual event to help world leaders align goals and ensure global democracy. In 2023, it was held in Hiroshima. It should be noted that Japan is the only member of G7 to not recognize same-s*x marriages. In an attempt to negotiate with other world powers, Japan, in 2023, introduced a LGBT bill that gave same-s*x couples some recognition, but is far from the inclusive legislation that is typically seen in developed countries.

It is funny that the plane that bombed Hiroshima is called Enola Gay, but it is a pure act of Jungian synchronicity that Hiroshima will play a role in ushering LGBT acceptance in Japan.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/05/17/japan-g7-summit-lgbt-rights/

To close, I do not support the dropping of the atomic bombs and I believe it was immoral. I am shocked that I have not heard the name of the plane mentioned more, and quite frankly this entire post is just an excuse to talk about the fact that arguably the most important aircraft in the world is named Gay.

PART 2 - BARBIE AND BELONGING

When it comes to highly anticipated movies of 2023, it’s hard to do better than Barbie. Announced in 2022, the film is based on the Mattel IP which has been popular for decades among young girls. Before we discuss the themes of the film, I thought it would be worthwhile to get a bit of background.

Ken

Ken will be played by Ryan Gosling, who is known for films such as Bladerunner, Drive, and The Notebook. Barbie will certainly be a deviation from his typical roles, though there is no doubt that he can meet and even surpass expectations.

The first Ken doll was introduced in 1961 as a companion to Barbie. He is named of the creator’s son. When Ken was released, he was marketed as Barbie’s boyfriend, but audiences immediately interpreted him as gay and he became a queer icon. This has caused Mattel to release statements denying Ken’s homosexuality.

Barbie

She needs no introduction. Barbie is Barbie. Some fans might not know - she has a sister named Skipper and a dog named Taffy. She has held over 200 jobs, though her most iconic job is the role of a spokesmodel for Lily Fashions. She also has a rival named Laureen who is also a model, and has appeared in a few books, including A Very Busy Barbie. Barbie will be played by Margot Robbie of Birds of Prey and I, Tonya. As one of Hollywood’s current It Girls, there are few women who fit the role better than the Australian superstar.

It is impossible to discuss Barbie without bringing up the creator and founder of Mattel, Ruth Handler. Born in 1916, she is the daughter of Polish-Jewish immigrants. Barbie was created to be the “ultimate insider”, an antidote to the Jewish condition which has for so long centered around being the ultimate outsider.

What is Barbie?

No, not who but what? The easy answer is that Barbie is a doll. But clearly, she’s much, much more than that.

Growing up, my sister and I had matching Barbie bed sets. We would also go on Barbie’s official site and play the games there. I had to hide doing this when my dad was around or else he’d kick my butt. So why did I keep returning?

Barbie represents complete self-actualization. The achievement of perfection both inside and outside. She is a role model, an unrealistic one sure, but a motivating one nonetheless, which is why her role in various professions has been so important for young girls. Speaking of young girls…

Is Barbie for Girls?

Frick this bullshit. My local cinema is having a LADIES ONLY night for Barbie’s opening for the premier cinema. I feel deeply discriminated against, this is childhood all over again no dad please I just want to watch Barbie.

The idea that Barbie is for women is preposterous. Barbie is for humanity and if you find something in you that relates to her, then that is enough. Our humanity transcends petty labels. You might like Barbie because you want to be an insider. Maybe her archetypal anima is the reason you can’t turn away. Either way, those emotions are valid regardless of your chromosomes.

Belonging

I love Barbie because she has never had to worry about belonging. She exists in a form that is instantly accepted by those around her. To be Barbie is to be completely in tune with society’s Super-ego.

Have you ever felt like you’re being rejected from society? As though you’re being told outright that you don’t belong here and you’re not wanted? Ever felt like a complete detriment to everyone and everything around you, and come to the conclusion that it would be a moral good for you to extinguish your own life? If you ever feel this way, escape into Barbie’s world for a brief moment and enjoy a different life. One where all that anxiety melts away.

Who is deserving of belonging? Who decides who belongs and who doesn’t? These are all questions I’m hoping the upcoming movie addresses. What are your thoughts?