Why It's Time To Stop Praising Lena Dunham
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Why It's Time To Stop Praising Lena Dunham

Let's be honest - it has been for a while.

4660
Why It's Time To Stop Praising Lena Dunham
Huffington Post

I know, I’ve been on the warpath lately. But I can’t help it - not letting your voice be heard is, in my opinion, a huge waste. This week, I’d like to bring something up that’s been bothering me for a while, and that’s recently been in headlines again - Lena Dunham, who, as far as I’m concerned, should be ousted from television and social media forever.

I’m a feminist. I’ll tell it to anyone who asks. Part of feminism (okay, all of it) is treating everyone, no matter what race, age, gender, ability, etc., equally, so generally I try to hold back from criticizing other women, particularly those who also proclaim themselves to be feminists. However, Lena Dunham’s particular brand of feminism isn’t feminism at all, and it’s time to stop accepting that it is. In fact, she’s racist, homophobic, sexist, and (how have we forgotten this?) has very literally admitted to sexually abusing her infant sister as a child. Not convinced yet? Here are a few (just a few - there are so many more) of the things we’ve sat back and accepted while still hailing Ms. Dunham as the Savior of Modern Feminism (can you tell I’m a little bitter about this?).

That one time she visited India and had this to say:

“I sympathized more the stray dogs I saw than the poverty-stricken people.”

“We do a really good job in this country of basically sealing off sick people and sealing off toilets and sealing off everything that lets us know we’re animals. And in India not only do they not do that, there’s no interest in doing that.”

“I hated India. I know you are not allowed to hate India. But I did. I wasn’t happy. And I felt crazy. I am a hypochondriac. I saw too many puppies that I thought needed me. So many moms and I got in a big fight and I left India. Early.”

I have a lot of questions about this, especially as a missions worker in India, but honestly, this kind of speaks for itself. These are stupid things to say regardless of the speaker, but for someone so widely viewed in the public eye to come out in an interview (with Rolling Stone, nonetheless) and say something so ignorant is pretty unacceptable.

That time she went to Japan and wrote the World’s Most Orientalist Essay:

“Yellowish Fever: I know I said I could never imagine a Japanese affair, but I’ve changed my mind. Kazu, the art handler hanging my mom’s show, is gorgeous like the strong, sexy, dreadlocked Mongol in 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' (causing my sister to email the instruction: “Yeah, girl. crouch that tiger, hide that dragon. P.S. That’s a Chinese movie”)”

“Sometimes, when you’ve been in Japan for ten days, you start to get a little funny… You will start bowing to people who hold open a door or sell you a honeydew yogurt or inform you that there are fish flakes on some crackers you’re not sure you want. You will flash a peace sign and assume a pigeon toed stance whenever someone aims a camera at you.”

"Japanese people look so young — fourteen year olds in ill-fitting suits. What kind of business could they all be doing? When they cross the street it looks like a music video, or the cover of Abbey Road. They are so orderly and leave a foot of space between themselves and the next office escapee.”

Imagine being this racist. Fact: I read this essay all the way through. Another fact: there were about 10 more quotes like this, with varying degrees of offensive content. Why is this person famous, again?

This blatantly homophobic gem:

“I want to date a male flight attendant. Everyone I’ve slept with is gay anyway.”

Hilarious! Topical! Offensive! Just what we’ve come to expect at this point, honestly.

This:

“The vet was a young, sweet man. Definitely Jewish, which is something I care about only in times of crisis.”

Remember when I said feminism was about treating everyone equally? Where did that sentiment get lost here?

Guys, I’m confused. I didn’t even have to try hard to find these quotes - she’s a prolific writer, and manages to pen something offensive every time she tweets, writes an essay, or creates a show on HBO. Seriously - it’s time to stop.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned.

70891
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

132477
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments