What you can do
“The Dollhouse doesn’t exist. It’s a myth.”
Of course the Dollhouse is a myth. It doesn't exist. It's a television show. A slice of Friday night entertainment created for our enjoyment. Except that it's a show by Joss Whedon, so as we fans know, there's more to it than that. It has a purpose, an intention to educate and inspire its viewers on ethical matters. Plus we all know that wherever Joss goes his feminist agenda will follow.
Why? What's the big fuss about? We did some research to find the answer. And then our jaws dropped, as we discovered the shocking truth behind one of the biggest myths of our time.
Women already have equality.
Seriously, they do. Of all the countries in the world, only two, the Papal Holy See - that's the Vatican City to you or I - and Saudi Arabia do not allow women to vote. The Suffragist Movement has already won the day. So you'd think that women might actually stop with all the complaining, right?
Wrong. So obviously wrong that you will probably have thought of three or four examples of abuse or injustice in the time it took me to type this sentence. The real myth is the discrepancy between legislation and reality. The fact we have legislation is good; the fact we need it, shameful, and that what we have barely works, criminal.
So why does Joss Whedon think you need to know this? What does he think you can do about it? Well, it would be a tragic mistake to say nothing. This week WhyIWatch dedicates our efforts to the struggle. And here's how you can help.
But, we hear you say, helping always means my time, effort or money.
Does it really? Inspired by Dollhouse, the following list of actions will take up little of your time and none of your money. Look at the following list, pick one or two actions, or all of them, and make them happen. None of these actions will change the world overnight - it's not even an exhaustive list - and there are always more intensive ways to assist. But here's the thing: all of the examples below actually work.
1. Wipe the Future. Explode the Myths. Get yourself educated. Ignorance is a killer. Wake yourself up to the truth.
2. Ditch the Tech. Recycle your Mobile Phones and Printer Cartridges. In the USA, www.collectivegood.com, and in the UK, www.reclaim-it.com, will send you prepaid envelopes to collect these items and will donate the profit to a charity of your choice.
3. Tell the Senator Perrins of the world how you feel. Write an e-mail message to your local Councillor, member of Parliament, or Congressional representative. Forward your message to sympathetic friends and ask them to send it too. The issue needs to be raised in order for it to be dealt with. Make sure your representative works for you.
4. Become a handler. If you are a parent, contact your kid's school. Find out what strategies they have in place for safeguarding your child's whereabouts. Most charitable organisations will happily send safety information packs and sometimes even provide representatives to visit and provide ideas and assistance.
5. Avoid The Attic. Did you know that E-Bay makes provisions for you to donate some or all of your profit to charity? Christmas is coming. What else are you going to do with that hideous sweater from Aunt Gladys? Send it to the attic? (Remember the buyer pays postage.)
6. Act Engaged. www.everyclick.com makes giving to charity simple. It's free. All you have to do is use their search engines, and job done.
Of course if you want to help more, then please investigate any of the links provided within this website. Let your action be the real legacy of Dollhouse.
