Just as it is hard for foreigners to imagine that Chinese women had to bind their feet 100 years ago, if it weren't for this movie, I would also find it hard to believe that British women 40 years ago still couldn't get the same pay as men for equal work.
In 1968, there were only 187 women at Ford's 55,000-employee plant. Although they sweat every day like all workers, their wages are only half that of male workers, and their skills are not recognized by anyone. But they still have no complaints, and work happily and tirelessly every day. Until one day, when they were pulled by the trade union to act as a display for the other 54,813 male workers, they suddenly realized that they could stand up and fight for more.
If you think this is just a story that happened 40 years ago, you are wrong. The moment I watched the movie, I was also thankful that our income was finally equal to that of men. However, after thinking about the shadow of my past and present life, I exclaimed: Wait, is equal income really equal? When has this invisible battle between us and men or society ceased?
Although we were born in the new society and new China, what we were taught from childhood was that women are not born equal to men, so it is better to marry well if you do well - the implication is that compared with men, our job is nothing but a job meal ticket. Once we find a man, he is our most secure job. Inwardly, we more or less prefer to play a weak role. One day, my Prince Charming will overcome all difficulties and hold a rose to save me. We can live happily ever after.
When we grow up, we realize that there is no Prince Charming and no roses in our life. The crueler reality is that, as women, we often have to overcome obstacles, often forced to hold up half the sky, and forced to work like men while taking care of housework and children. And many women are unknown, just like the female workers in the film, they are sweaty but optimistic. Just behind the scenes, has anyone noticed how many women have to give up their inner dreams for the sake of their families and children, and how many women have to give up their families and children in order to pursue their inner dreams?
I think by now most people, including myself, don't know what a feminist is, and I don't even think there is absolute equality in this world. I am by no means encouraging every woman to work hard in the workplace. If your ideal is to be a good wife and mother at home, it is not a bad idea. But today, this film made me suddenly understand that what a woman needs is not a certain kind of life. Be it a housewife or a successful career, just like men and women should get equal pay for equal work, what a woman needs most is the right to choose the life she really wants, just like a man.
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