The other day, I was watching multiple different videos, referred to as Op-Docs, that explore societal issues/focus in on important topics. I clicked one after another, as the thumbnails became more and more intriguing the farther down I scrolled. I became lost in watching these, but ultimately shortened my list of favorites down to two of them. The two I found most intriguing involve the discussion of a woman living in China, and her standards for the men she decides to date, as well as what it is like to live in the Narco-Zone.
I'll begin by discussing the first one regarding a Sheng nu living in China. In "China Doesn't Like That I'm a Single Woman, Here's Why", Shosh Shlam and Hilla Medalia, award-winning directors and producers explore the topic of what it is like to live in China as a "Sheng nu", or "leftover woman", a coined term that refers to any single woman over the age of 27. They explore this by providing insight into the life of a Sheng nu by the name of Qiu Huamei, a successful lawyer who is fluent in English but commonly criticized and reprimanded by society for being single and holding extremely high standards in regards to the men she chooses to date. I find Qiu to be very inspirational if anything, and the fact her standards are high to the point where she refuses to settle and can hold her own without depending on a man to do so for her.
The other Op-Doc on my list is in regards to what it is like to grow up and live in the Narco-Zone. In "What It's Like to Grow Up in the Narco Zone", director and nominee for Ariel Award for Best Work Everado Gonzalez examines what it is like growing up in one of the most dangerous areas to live in Mexico, where drug trafficking and violence are not uncommon occurrences. He does so by interviewing various individuals and taking a look into a slice of what it is like to live like them. He especially focuses on one lady who stands out to me, who is a teacher for children at a school within the Narco-Zone. Her responses/part of the video really stood out to me, as she provides great insight into the violence examined among children and how their home and other external environments shape them, even from such a young age.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsOHr0aBIvU&list=PL4CGYNsoW2iCb4uQUNgWK6TJJgNVp-MpP&index=31 (I could not find the video to attach like how I did above for some reason.)
Overall, I feel after watching both of these, I have been given insight into what it is like to experience and live in cultures other than my own, and if anything, it has made me realize how much easier I have it as opposed to being a single grown woman living in China, or growing up in the Narco Zone, filled with drug-trafficking and violence.
I think it's very important to be exposed to different cultures and diversity in general. Diversity allows us to be more open and more accepting, which in my opinion makes us better people. I think these two Op-Docs are especially important since as a society we do not generally talk about Chinese society nor what it may be like to live in areas of Mexico that are generally stereotyped about. I can tell these truly interested you, and that makes the reader interested too!
ReplyDeleteBased off of your explanation alone I can tell that these Op-Docs offer a new perspective on other cultures, which is always interesting to learn about, as well as important to be educated on. I'll be sure to check these out!
ReplyDeleteThe term "leftover woman" is so degrading. These are women who know exactly what they want, who are settling down on their own terms, who are strong and independent, but are seen as less than because of their marital status. It saddens me that many countries are still like this towards their women.
ReplyDeleteIt's devastating how much growing up in these drug-and-violence infested environments change/shape the children living there. I was fortunate enough to be able to live in a very nice town where drug trafficking and violence are almost foreign to me. I'm very thankful for what I have and I don't ever want to take it for granted.
It upsets me so much that they call single women at the age of 27 "leftover women". These women are wanting to be single and have a successful life on their own and that term just hurts peoples head space. And the fact that their families go along with it and treat her as a disgrace to the family name hurts even more. She is doing nothing wrong, just wanting to be herself and with a name/title like that, she is looked at as a criminal and her single life is a crime.
ReplyDeleteBoth of these op-docs seem to be very interesting, with perspectives on different cultures that I personally do not know that much about. Reading your analysis helped give me a better insight on these cultures, and I'll have to watch these videos to further my insights as well! Also,I agree how Qiu is actually inspirational for not having the need to settle down. It's truly awful and demeaning that single women over the age of 27 are referred to "leftover women".
ReplyDeleteI love how "What It's Like to Grow Up in the Narco Zone" is speaking of a very often spoken of stereotype involving Mexico. I appreciate how it dives in to speak more factually and of experience of this stereotype of Mexico being filled with drugs and violence. Diving into the stories of these people in these areas of Mexico could very much help others understand this harmful cycle.
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