This sermon was given at the Unitarian Universalist Church
of Brevard during Women's History Month
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMC7sAsaol4
Miss Piggy Feminist Icon
This Halloween, feminist icon and self proclaimed
“Big Gurl” Lizzo gave us "A tribute to (her) forever icon,
MISS PIGGY. (Who she says is) The epitome of grace,
style, confidence and a warrior for love."
Now I love Lizzo, I love her confidence, I love her
positivity, I love her style, and I love her fierce
commitment to bringing that positive representation
in everything she does. She owns all her identities
and to see her dressed like one of my childhood icons
made me realize that Miss Piggy was teaching me
feminism, long before I knew the term.
The muppets have been in my life as long as I
can remember. One of my earliest memories is
watching the original trilogy of Muppet Movies with
my parents. I can identify different parts of my
personality with the muppets. I have strong Kermit
reaction energy, flailing my arms in excitement or
looking at the camera in disbelief. Gonzo gave
me permission to be a little “weird” and try
something new. Fozzy was goofy and fun and
appreciated his own jokes, even if no
one else laughed.
The muppets showed me the value of friendship,
of hope, and imagination. Of dreaming big things
and persevering with the help of your chosen family.
And they always chose to include everyone
in that family. Dogs and Frogs and Chickens
and Bears and… Whatevers. All manner of monsters
are welcome and respected in this
interdependent web of existence.
But it was Miss Piggy who, as an impressionable
young girl, showed me how to be a confident,
strong woman. Piggy shows her emotions without shame.
She shows her anger and her joy, she embraces
all the experiences of life. She loves her Kermy
and isn’t afraid to show affection, and demand it back.
She is not a pushover, but a confident woman,
confident in her worth, her dignity and her
kicking moves (hi yah).
She shows me I am strong, even when I am not
feeling strong. Because there is strength in vulnerability,
regardless of gender. She knows who she is and
what she wants. And she is fiercely loyal to her friends
and family. All values she instilled in me early on.
My generation stands on the shoulders of our parents
and grandparents who fought for the rights and
privileges that I have today. My Mother’s generation,
who fought for equal rights, for body autonomy
and financial independence. And my Grandmother’s
greatest generation who went to work, while a nation
went to war. In both generations they tried to keep
femininity and women in a box. A predefined role,
determined by society. They tried to limit what jobs
they could do and when.
Every generation has had to fight to just be who they
want to be. This country has a history of keeping
marginalized groups in a predetermined box, forcing
control over their lives, their words, their actions and
their bodies. Particularly for black and indigenous women,
for transgender and non-binary people, and anyone
"othered" by our society.
In my generation, we branched out to celebrate
different body types, different identities, different definitions
of who could use the term woman. Feminism is a spectrum
and must be inclusive of all those who share that
identity to truly be a movement for the people.
Women in every generation rise up. Women redefine
in every generation what it means to be a woman.
Femininity and womanhood belong to all of us. We are
learning today how to better expand and define women
and feminism, and learning how to let those unheard
voices find their way into the conversation.
We encourage each other to find our own way to express
our femininity. Yes, even if you identify as male, you
can embrace your own feminine energy; and you
can use that energy to support women and feminist causes.
Whether you present as male or female, regardless
if you are cisgender, transgender or non-binary;
feminism and womanhood are all of ours to claim.
And that brings me back to my feminist Icon Miss Piggy.
She is loud and she is proud. She is opinionated and
she embraces her feminism, defining what it means
to be a woman in her own way. She refuses to be shoved
into a quiet mousy box when her voice needs to be heard,
she is her own woman. And if she needs to express herself,
she might do so with a literal “hi yah” kick to the patriarchy.
So I ask you all, regardless of how you define yourself,
embrace your own feminine strength. Find your power,
be comfortable in your own skin and embrace
your whole self. Embrace others in all their feminine
and masculine expressions, and whenever possible
help Miss Piggy give a “hi yah” kick to injustice everywhere.
And may we all find together, our rainbow connections.
Blessed be, thank you.
No comments:
Post a Comment