S.R. Crawford's Blog, page 102

Since the release of my book, I have had people pop up to...

Since the release of my book, I have had people pop up to me to congratulate me on my work surrounding mental health… But so many times have people then gone on to say that they’ve lost loved ones to suicide because of mental illness. And guess what? They’re all men.

So I now speak to you, men and boys of the world…

Please, if you feel brave enough – SPEAK OUT.

HELP ANOTHER MAN OR BOY REALISE THAT HE IS NOT ALONE.

You could be saving a life by doing such a simple thing. I know that it is hard to speak up, but only we can break the stigma. We have nothing to be ashamed of. Feelings, emotions, mental illness, fear, depression, whatever it is – it’s all normal, human things.

We’re all just humans. Not just women, and so you’re allowed to speak up and say that you’re hurting.

And most importantly, seek the help you need without any fear.

So how’s this done? With my #HeFeels movement. Upload photos, videos, recordings, tweets, statuses, artwork, whatever – just use the #HeFeels in the description & the visual, too, if possible.

Again, speaking out could save a little boy, or a father’s life. Show him he’s not alone, today.

 

 

 

Join the movement. Help men be safe to speak out.

 

~ Damsel

Film Review of “Bad Neighbours 2” – Feminism, Funny & Frivolous

Today, my sister, my mother and I went to watch Bad Neighbours 2. I didn’t expect to be inspired to write a blog post after watching it, yet, here I am! Aside from it being funny and ridiculous, as expected, it got me thinking about two major things.

Firstly, it made me realise that there is more sexism in the world than we truly think. Yes, we know that females are often not as equal to males, in some places, but there’s even the little things. In the film, the girls set up their own sorority because sororities aren’t allowed to through parties like Frat houses. I know that this isn’t a huge crisis, not at all, but it inspired me. There’s so much that I don’t know about the lack of equality for men and women across the world. But I should! You should!

It’s outrageous. In this modern world, there’s just no excuse for ignorance. We have a plethora of knowledge at our fingertips. And we should be using it. So, I want to be less ignorant in regards to my gender. I want to know how other women are suffering. I admire Emma Watson, and yet I haven’t researched her work about equality. It’s time to get to work! And I suggest you do too, damsels, and when you have the knowledge, use it! Speak out! I plan to, eventually, when the time’s right.

Secondly, it made me think about me. Of course! As you know, I’m always thinking. I’m always finding a way to apply things to my own life…yawn!

But this was a good one! You see, I feel that I had an amazing childhood. I played like crazy. I had an amazing imagination, and had great friends and family to explore ‘other worlds’ with. But I’m not so sure that I did teenhood ‘right’. Of course, there’s no set way to live. Just because the typical thing to do is party, try new things, explore your sexuality and generally be stupid – that doesn’t mean I should.

And I still firmly believe that. Drinking a lot has never been my thing, it just isn’t me. And parties make me annoyed or anxious more than anything else. I just don’t like it. But I don’t think I was stupid enough. I did do silly things sometimes, but it’s not enough. I’m now 21, which is still so so young, and so before I’m 30 I should still be stupid, right? I should be stupid whilst I can afford to be. Before I have a proper job, kids and responsibilities.

If I want something, I should get it. If I feel something, I should say it. I shouldn’t be stuck up in the house, doing nothing and planning for my future. I should be out and about, living, and finding my place. Finding my passion instead of thinking myself into illness. I should be playing games, doing sports, travelling, running, jumping, trying things that are crazy, staying up late, eating sh*t, drinking in the garden and meeting new people.

So I’m not gonna start going to parties just because, and clubs are not my scene, and no drugs! But I am gonna be more stupid. Think less, do more. If someone asks me to go somewhere, or do something, then I’m gonna just do it! At least more than I do now. I know the future is scary, and I’m always trying to work towards it, but doing that isn’t really working. So maybe I should try a new plan.

Lately, I’ve been thinking that to be a successful writer, I can’t just write good things or interesting topics. Instead, I need to be interesting. I need to have lived. People need to see that I’m worth reading about and following, and then maybe they’ll want to read what I write, too…

Let’s see.

But in regards to be film, go and see it. It’s a good, stupid laugh and it may inspire you to be young and stupid too!

6.5/10

~ Damsel

Missing You – Creative Writing

I think it would be sort of close minded to believe that missing someone meant you sat constantly thinking of them.

No, it’s so much more than that.

Missing someone can be desiring the emotion that you once had with them. Like the feeling of pure contentment that you no longer feel.

Missing someone can be the recognition of absence, or feeling at a loss, like something is missing, even without that specific someone coming to mind at all.

Missing someone can be knowing that things would be better or at least different if they were there.

It can be walking past a photograph and smiling.

It can be inhaling a certain scent and drifting into a reverie.

It can be holding an item that they gave you, without thinking about them in particular when you’re doing it.

It can be seeing someone in the street that looks the spitting image of them, and doing a double take, only to realise that they don’t look similar at all.

It can be crying alone in your bedroom without knowing why.

It can be avoiding a certain place or food or item.

It can be your motivation each day to be better.

So no, missing someone isn’t defined by how many times you consciously drown in their memory. Missing someone is beautifully deeper than that. And if you ever loved them, you’ll miss them forever, in one way or another.

Mental Health Awareness Month – And What I’m Doing for It

As I hope you all know, it is Mental Health Awareness Month. May is a particularly hard month for me and my family, anyway. Not only has it been the month when I lost my father, so very long ago, but now it is also the month that I associate with the devastating loss of my old friend last year. It breaks my heart. So, not a great one.

But never the less, we get along with it. At least the sad times are isolated to one month, I guess. Well, it seems apt to me that Mental Health Awareness Month is in May. May just always has been sh*tty. It’s the month that’s not quite summer yet, but you start to feel like the year has gone. You’re almost halfway through it, and for some of us, that scares us. We start reflecting on what we’ve done, or not done, as the case may be.

Then there’s exams, deadlines, coursework and the end of the school year! All very stressful stuff for the younger ones of us. So yeah, it seems apt that we “celebrate” Mental Health Awareness in this month, when so many are vulnerable and suffering. What this month means for me, is a reminder that you’re not the only one who suffers. Yes, knowing this doesn’t change your suffering, but what it gives us is the comfort that it is so normal to be down. So many are chased by the “black dog” of depression, or shaken by the instability of anxiety. YOU’RE NOT WEIRD! YOU’RE NOT WEAK!

This Mental Health Awareness Week 16th-22th, I am hosting a small event. This will be held on the 21st, at a small venue in my area. Of course, I don’t expect it to attract a lot of people. And I don’t expect a lot to happen from it, particularly. What I wanted was for something different to be done. Not many events, that I know of, are hosted by sufferers. The little, scared sufferer. Instead they’re by confident, loud people or big organisations. So, instead I wanted to fill that hole. I wanted to truly show sufferers that they can accomplish things, and that anxiety and depression doesn’t just drag you down. Because I will stand up in front of them and prove it.

Then, when I get there I will make myself vulnerable. I will tell them what I’ve been through, and I’ll speak with my head held high, not leaving out any of the horrid details. The problem with mental illness is that it’s still so taboo. Even though so, so, so many people suffer, for some reason we all hide away and don’t speak about it. We don’t know how to say it. How to show it. And we’re scared to. We don’t want people to look at us as though we are fragile, weak or broken. We don’t want to be treated differently. BUT WE SHOULDN’T BE!! We’re the most normal a person can get! Because life is hard!

What sufferers need is someone to finally prove that it’s OK not to be OK. For someone to help them to realise that they’re normal, instead of someone just telling them that they’ll be fine, and they’ll get over it. We know we’ll get through it, somewhere in the backs of our minds we do know that, but that doesn’t stop how awful and soul-draining it feels right now.

They also need to know that accepting their illness is by far the most important thing for them to do. By running from it, and denying its affects, they are allowing themselves to drown. Lastly, the rest of the world needs to learn about us. How to look after us. How to love us. How to truly understand that we are just people! There’s nothing wrong with us. And lastly, that mental illness has no face. It can look like anything.

MENTAL ILLNESS CAN LOOK LIKE ANYTHING. A SMILE. TEARS. BLACK. WHITE. ASIAN. TALL. STRONG. SMALL. OLD. YOUNG. WHATEVER!!

So that’s what I aim to do, and this event is basically me coming and saying that I’m here, I’m “ill” and I’m starting to make a change. I want people to know that I’m standing up for them, in a time when they can’t.

So if you’re in the UK, Solihull/Birmingham to be specific, please come along to my event. If not, your homework is to change your own ignorance. If you don’t understand it, try to. Ask questions, support someone, ask your teachers, family or friends! And if you have experienced it, or are suffering now, then speak out. Don’t be afraid of the illness otherwise it has more power over you. Trust me, it’s beatable. Trust me, you can grow stronger. Good luck all, and make this month count.

More info on my event here: We Want Change, Break the Chains!

To seek help: My Self-Help Book

~ Damsel

 

21 Things I’ve Done So Far After Turning 21

Hello all, sorry for the silence for so long. You must know me by now, I love lists. I love knowing that I’m constantly doing things of relevance and importance. I don’t like wasting time! I know, I know, what a horrid way to live! It puts way too much pressure on me, and of course must fuel my anxiety stress. But never the less, I like to keep myself in check. As my first post back, I thought I’d highlight another list – things I’ve done since turning 21. On the 13th April, I turned 21. I was scared to do so at first, until I realised that I was ready. I had done all of the things I’d wanted to before turning (see previous blog post for the details). Now, I wanted to look back and make sure I’m doing some fun, good or productive things. The 21 year old person that I am now, needs to be doing things for herself. Whatever I do, wherever I go, I need it to be for me. And, of course, they need to be notably fun, worthwhile or progressive for my future.

So here’s what I’ve done:

Got a tattoo
Completed the drawings for my Mental Health Awareness Event
Printed off and gathered more writing pieces for my event
Had a house party
Been on a bouncy castle
Had my face painted
Been to London and walked all over
Been on a shopping spree
Started filming for my short film for my event
Decided not to do Open University, at least not yet
Accepted a new job
Had a surprise party
Been for a nice meal, twice
Been bowling
Had my first evening ADA (Anxiety and Depression Anonymous) session
Watched 2 films in the cinema
Met up with a fellow author, for more marketing advice
Sorted out the agenda for my event
Edited more of “No Secrets: Remastered”
Wrote more of my new book “If I Die Again”
Spent time in a hotel

As you can see, these are a mixture of things. Some are fun, some are productive, some were small but good things that I’m glad I’ve done. My new tattoo is of Yin and Yang – BALANCE. This is what I’m seeking in my life. Not perfection. Not busyness. Not stress. Not fame. Not fortune. Not endless happiness. But balance.  That is what’s real. That is all we can truly seek, and actually have.

I’ve come to realise that I try to do too much. I’m always seeking perfection and answers to questions that haven’t even been asked yet.I need to stop! If I continue, I’ll drive myself mad. And the same goes for you, readers. Don’t drag yourself under by juggling too much. Focus on what you truly want and care about, and let the rest fall behind. Keep an eye on what you’re doing, by keeping it balanced. The good and the bad. The play and the work. The Yin and the Yang.

~ Damsel

50 Things to do Before Turning 21

So on Wednesday, I turn 21! Eeek! I live in the UK, so turning 21 doesn’t mean I can legally drink though. Instead, I’m excited to make the year of being 21, my best year yet – somehow. However, I’ve done a lot already. There’s a lot of things that everyone MUST MUST do before turning 21, because they’re the fun, growth-inducing things that all children or teens should go through in order to Ace life. Others, I’ve done and feel they are noteworthy. But it’s my birthday soon, so of course, I’ve been thinking. And thinking, gets me sharing…

So here’s the list:

Get a good education: I have great GCSEs; 32 International Baccalaureate Diploma points (college level 16-18 years old); completed a year of a degree; achieved a Social Media Marketing Diploma with a Distinction; looking to finish my degree at some point
Fall in love
Have a real relationship: I’ve been in a real relationship for a year and 3 months now
Finish something you’re proud of: Of course, mine are my books!
Start a real hobby: Photography, writing and cinema
Blog, just blog anything: Photography and life writing blogs
Volunteer: I run Anxiety and Depression Anonymous sessions and volunteer at my local community centre
Fix or distance yourself from a bad mistake: I wrongly published my first book with a company I wasn’t happy with, but I got out of their contract and I’m republishing the book
Lose your innocence: Of course there’s no pressure, but statically, most people lose their virginity before they’re 21. I’m no exception. But you’ve also got to find your naughty side, which I sure did too! *wink wink*
Put your creativity out there: I write voluntarily for a youth magazine, and other online sites. Plus, I’ve published three books.
Become more professional: I have my own author’s website; my own business cards; and a decent social media presence.
Learn to cook
Have a job: I’ve worked in retail, which I think is a great milestone for everyone! Plus I’ve had a full time job, though I left it.
Help others: My ADA sessions as aforementioned.
Run an event: In May, I shall be hosting a Mental Health Awareness Event.
Learn to drive: I passed my test when I was 19, and had my own car to drive for 6 months which was a great experience that gave me independence.
Get a tattoo: I have two, and I’m looking forward to the third.
Met new people.
Change your hairstyle
Become more confident with who you are.
Go clubbing.
Develop your own sense of style
Try new foods and restaurants.
Be part of a team(s).
Be accepted into a partner’s family.
Go on holiday without your family.
Start paying rent, or at least some of it.
Have an anniversary in a relationship.
Pay for car insurance.
Learn to pay your way, and handle your money: I pay rent, have paid for car insurance, and have plenty of direct debits for entertainment like Netflix, Audible and Cineworld Unlimited!
Go out of the country.
Visit the typical attractions that everyone must see: Theme parks, zoos, safari parks, the theatre etc.
Have a pet(s): I’ve had fish, rabbits, hamsters, a turtle and a cat.
Plan and dream for your future.
Donate to a charity or foundation that you care about.
Stop associating with bad people: I start speaking to the people who didn’t do anything for me, instead I only care for those who care for me.
Start a petition for something you care about.
Be adventurous: Go camping, hiking, climb a mountain, go in the sea etc.
Be a stupid, playful child and teen.
Get caught with hickeys or doing something you shouldn’t *wink*
Experience being a leader.
Get drunk and pull whilst on a night out.
Complete a fun run, even a small one.
Go to prom.
Get through tough times: I’ve survived depression, anxiety and loss of a friend.
Watch the best critically acclaimed TV shows and Films.
Learn a new language, or at least start.
Get hurt by someone.
Be a fan girl for something.
Develop a backbone: Don’t just let people walk all over you, you’re too old for that now!

So these are the things that I’ve done before turning 21. They all vary for country to country, person to person, but I’m happy with what I’ve done. In a way though, none of it matters. You don’t need to tick things off of a list. As long as you’re happy with your decisions, as long as you can smile, then you have nothing to explain. That’s what growing up means – not partying, not doing stupid stuff, not pulling or getting into relationships, just doing what you want, because you want to. Being utterly unapologetic. So grow up the way you want to.

~ Damsel

Film Review of “Eddie the Eagle” – Deem Me Inspired!

“VERY MILD SPOILERS”

Today, my mother, my sister and I went to watch Eddie the Eagle for a little family outing. At first my sister moaned at me for not going to see Zootropolis again, but I told her don’t worry, Eddie the Eagle will be funny…

And I was so right! Of course I was *Wink Face*

But it wasn’t the loud laughter, or the chorus of “aww”‘s that made the film good, it was how much it inspires you. You truly root for Eddie, because he’s just such a genuine person. And Taron Egerton played him beautifully, he’s definitely a rising star actor.

 (Plus he’s quite the looker)

The film taught me a lot. Some things I already knew, of course, but it laid it all out in such an inspiring way that maybe I’ll finally listen this time. But what did Eddie the Eagle teach me? Here’s the list:

Having Blind Faith is bad, but having Blind Faith in yourself goes a long way

Eddie just believed in himself, that was his greatest trait, and it was what got him to the big time.

“Focused, not Tense”

Be focused on your dreams, not afraid or tense. Don’t put pressure on yourself, just focus on the goal and believe it will happen.

“Do less than our best and it’ll kill us inside”

If we don’t achieve what we were born to, then we’ll never be truly happy. Always do our best and we’ll be happy inside, no matter of success or failure.

Just because someone doesn’t fit our idea of brilliance, doesn’t mean they’re not great

Brilliance doesn’t have a set look. It’s not a suit, a pretty face, a degree, or a badge. It can be whatever; it can reside within whoever.

People will always root for good character. If you’re a good person, you’ll do just fine in life

Being a hard-ass, or boring, or strict isn’t what it takes to be successful. Just be you. Love yourself, accept who you are, and do what you want to do with all your might. People respect and celebrate good people.

Don’t listen to the haters!

Of course, there’s so much negativity in this world. If we all listen to those who tell us something is impossible, then we’ll never achieve our dreams.

Appreciate and celebrate the little achievements

The small steps are actually the big ones. They’re the ones that get you closer to the big dream. By patting yourself on the back when you get closer, you’ll always keep going.

Have fun on the journey

Of course, there’s not point in doing something if you’re not enjoying it. It’s the journey that matters most. In order to get to the big time, you need to enjoy what you’re doing to get there. Grow with passion and love for what you do.

Not everyone will get where your path is taking you

Your life is yours. Your dream is yours. So how can we expect everyone else to understand what we feel we have to do?

At times it may feel like you’ve failed, but it’s just pushing you to achieve better

We will fail in life. We’ll fail again and again and again. But often-times, as long as we don’t give up, it’ll push us towards what we were destined for to begin with. That’s what separates the greats from the average – understanding that. The caterpillar once said that he’d be the best caterpillar in the world, little did he know that he was destined to be a butterfly.

Good people and those who will help you won’t always be the professionals

Help can come from unlikely places. Sometimes the best people are unconventional. They’re the underdogs, the outcasts, and in this film’s case – a drunk!

Sometimes, it’s worth fighting and building for one single Moment – But that’ll be the best Moment of your life!

We can never know for sure if something is worth it. But it is worth it for a single moment that will be the best one in our lives. Build for that moment. Live for that moment. Then, go get another one!

All in all, I loved the film. It doesn’t look like much. And maybe I read too much into it, but it is one of the most inspirational films that I’ve seen. It showed me that an underdog, from a little place can go far by simply saying that he will do it. Not that he’ll try. Not that he hopes he will. But that he WILL do it; he’s GOING TO. I need to change my vocabulary. If I’m going to be a best-selling author, I need to start saying that I WILL BE.

Thank you Eddie the Eagle, I hope to live more like you. And you should too, guys.

9/10

~ Damsel

People – How to Gain Respect, See it Differently & Get What You Deserve

I don’t know about you, but people really make me angry. The first thought that you have may be that I just know some negative people.

This is true. A lot of the people that I see weekly aren’t the kind of people that emit positive energy, creativity and dream chasing activism – which is what would be good for someone like me. But I’m going to rant about them anyway because for the time being, they’re the people I know.



Some people I know may read this and think, “I hope she’s not talking about me!” I’m probably not, because anyone nice enough to read my work is a lovely, positive person who’s obviously supporting me.

But you’ve got to agree. People these days just make you mad all too often. How they take up the entire lane in the supermarket. How they cough onto their money before handing it to you. How they drive right up behind you with their headlights blaring. Arseholes! You know what it all balls down to? A lack of respect. People don’t respect their fellow man. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, respect isn’t necessarily earned. Like when you first meet someone, you shouldn’t treat them as if they’re below you until they’ve earned your respect. That doesn’t make any sense! A general, fair amount of respect should be given in the first place, and then given more or taken away after the person gives reason for it. Make sense? Respect is mutual. Respect is natural. Everyone deserves it until they don’t.

But people don’t do that! Instead they treat others as if they’re nothing. As if they don’t have a family, a job and a life like we do. It’s outrageous and it really makes me mad. What’s worse, is when you do know them. When someone is your colleague or someone you’ve known for ages, and yet they treat you as if you’re below them. When did I give you reason to do that? And why the F*ck do you think it’s OK?

But the thing is, it’s our own fault, right? Yeah we can say that people are awful all we like, but if there’s more than one person who makes us feel crap about ourselves, we obviously caused that to happen. We didn’t nip something in the bud once it began. Someone said a comment and we let it go, thus allowing those kind of comments to continue. They learned to treat you that way…

Certain people, of course, never would treat you that way in the first place. If someone is rude to you, makes you feel less-than, or just puts a downer on your day, then they’re a bit poisonous. Lately, I’m seeing a lot of poison. Do I suck the poison out? Run from it? Or ignore it, until it kills my spirit?

We suck it out, of course. We show people how they make us feel. We tell them that this and that isn’t right or fair. Put them in their place with confident assertiveness, not anger or revenge. Otherwise, it isn’t going to get you the respect that you deserve. If this doesn’t work, then cut that person out of your life, or at least distance yourself. You can’t grow if you’re constantly cut down or your roots are poisoned.

We need good energy and positive people in our lives. Life is only good if there are people to share it with. Those people, however, can’t be poisonous. It’s just not worth it. Your life won’t prosper. It will forever be a beating, a dark cloud and emptiness.

We all need people, and so I urge you all to only allow the greatest of people into your life. You need it, and they need you to be great to them, too. Respect others, and above all else, respect yourself.

~ Damsel

People – Who Needs ‘Em? We Do…

I don’t know about you, but people really make me angry. The first thought that you have may be that I just know some negative people.

This is true. A lot of the people that I see weekly aren’t the kind of people that emit positive energy, creativity and dream chasing activism – which is what would be good for someone like me. But I’m going to rant about them anyway because for the time being, they’re the people I know.



Some people I know may read this and think, “I hope she’s not talking about me!” I’m probably not, because anyone nice enough to read my work is a lovely, positive person who’s obviously supporting me.

But you’ve got to agree. People these days just make you mad all too often. How they take up the entire lane in the supermarket. How they cough onto their money before handing it to you. How they drive right up behind you with their headlights blaring. Arseholes! You know what it all balls down to? A lack of respect. People don’t respect their fellow man. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, respect isn’t necessarily earned. Like when you first meet someone, you shouldn’t treat them as if they’re below you until they’ve earned your respect. That doesn’t make any sense! A general, fair amount of respect should be given in the first place, and then given more or taken away after the person gives reason for it. Make sense? Respect is mutual. Respect is natural. Everyone deserves it until they don’t.

But people don’t do that! Instead they treat others as if they’re nothing. As if they don’t have a family, a job and a life like we do. It’s outrageous and it really makes me mad. What’s worse, is when you do know them. When someone is your colleague or someone you’ve known for ages, and yet they treat you as if you’re below them. When did I give you reason to do that? And why the F*ck do you think it’s OK?

But the thing is, it’s our own fault, right? Yeah we can say that people are awful all we like, but if there’s more than one person who makes us feel crap about ourselves, we obviously caused that to happen. We didn’t nip something in the bud once it began. Someone said a comment and we let it go, thus allowing those kind of comments to continue. They learned to treat you that way…

Certain people, of course, never would treat you that way in the first place. If someone is rude to you, makes you feel less-than, or just puts a downer on your day, then they’re a bit poisonous. Lately, I’m seeing a lot of poison. Do I suck the poison out? Run from it? Or ignore it, until it kills my spirit?

We suck it out, of course. We show people how they make us feel. We tell them that this and that isn’t right or fair. Put them in their place with confident assertiveness, not anger or revenge. Otherwise, it isn’t going to get you the respect that you deserve. If this doesn’t work, then cut that person out of your life, or at least distance yourself. You can’t grow if you’re constantly cut down or your roots are poisoned.

We need good energy and positive people in our lives. Life is only good if there are people to share it with. Those people, however, can’t be poisonous. It’s just not worth it. Your life won’t prosper. It will forever be a beating, a dark cloud and emptiness.

We all need people, and so I urge you all to only allow the greatest of people into your life. You need it, and they need you to be great to them, too. Respect others, and above all else, respect yourself.

~ Damsel

Film Review of “Zootropolis” – A Microcosm of Our Wonky Society

**MILD SPOILERS ALERT!!**

On Sunday last week, my brother and I went to see the latest, big time animation – Zootropolis. It was amazing. I loved it. Not that one would ever expect anything less from Disney, of course.

But it was Pixar undertone, grab-you-by-the-balls amazing. Because it was emotional, hilarious, silly, cute, had a clever premise and of course…it taught us something. Now, we all like being taught something (er, don’t we?) but it’s even better when it comes from an animation. Of course, I don’t know if some people just enjoyed the film, thinking it was just about fluffy animals running around an awesome city.

But that was obviously not the real story. Again, this is just what I took from it, but it was a huge message that even the dimmest of minds could have figured out. PREJUDICE, INJUSTICE, RACISM, DISCRIMINATION, SEXISM and CLOSED-MINDEDNESS.

In fact, I guarantee everyone felt this upon leaving the theatre. I don’t know if it’s because lately I’ve been feeling rather put down by men, but the sexism point grabbed me the most. All the female characters were shunned, put in lower jobs or basically bullied, even though they were quite simply smarter and stronger than their male superiors. (Isn’t that often the case, ladies? *wink face*) They were the small characters, the prey animals and they were told that they have to do this, and can’t do that.

Oh no they didn’t!! But the great thing that Disney did, was make the women prove that they were misjudged. That they were more than capable of doing whatever they wanted. In fact, they kicked ass – for better or for worse. It’s sad that there is still a need for a film like this. That women are still needing to prove themselves.

On the other side of the morals, was racism/prejudice. Certain animals in the city were shunned or misjudged as being this or that due to their stereotypical traits. E.g. a fox being untrustworthy. This led to upset and people choosing to wear the labels that their society had thrust upon them. How sad is that?

And again, Disney is right. We do still look at someone once and judge that they will be the same as stereotypes would lead us to believe. I mean it’s human nature, of course, to use past experiences or knowledge to judge situations, but to do it to people, and shun them without fair judgement is disgusting.

My brother had a solid point. He believes that it could be down to the terrorism of late. I mean I’m sure Disney had this idea a long time ago, before the rise of ISIS etc. but he has a point. Nowadays, people are shunning Muslims because of a select few, and it’s horrifying. Don’t they see that by doing so, the terrorists win? ISIS is a few twisted people, not a whole religion and definitely not a whole race/ethnic group.

  Yes he’s back!

It is so easy to be closed-minded. To just go with the flow and believe every bullsh*t story that you’re told. But please don’t. Let stories like Zootropolis show you how naive you are. Women can be badass cops. Muslims can be badass friends. The opposite race can be badass colleagues. And people who are into a different sex than you, can be badass in general! (Yes, Zootropolis also featured an androgynous leopard, who was amazing). Open your mind just a little, and hold out your hand to someone who’s different to you. Because for some reason, we all look too far inside a person, when instead we should be looking at their most obvious physical feature – the fact that they are human, too.

Rating: 9.5/10

~ Damsel