“Kill the Cheerleaders, Save the World”. The popular quote from the TV show “Heroes” is a powerful reminder of the insidious nature of the “kill the cheerleader” syndrome, which is the tendency to tear down successful and attractive women out of envy and resentment. This phenomenon is rooted in a number of factors, including traditional gender roles that dictate women must be submissive and supportive rather than confident and assertive, as well as a broader cultural tendency to deride and dismiss those who challenge the status quo.
It is a curious phenomenon indeed, the vitriolic backlash that emerges from some quarters whenever a successful, confident woman like Miss Amber Heard dares to challenge the status quo. These detractors, often butthurt incels or women with their own axes to grind, are unable to reconcile themselves with the notion that someone outside of their preferred stereotype can achieve such success, and as such, they lash out in impotent rage.
Regrettably, these individuals seem to rely upon a rather shallow view of the world, one that posits beauty as a sort of all-encompassing advantage that renders one untouchable. Yet the reality is quite different. While beauty may indeed open some doors, it also serves to paint a target upon one’s back for those who would seek to tear one down, as evidenced by the relentless barrage of bullying and harassment faced by Miss Heard.
Unfortunately, it is precisely because of her perceived advantages that Miss Heard has faced such an uphill battle in seeking justice for the abuse she has endured. The assumption that her beauty and success necessarily imply the impossibility of her victimhood has caused many to deride and dismiss her claims out of hand. It is a telling example of how the intersection of sexism and other forms of prejudice can create a kind of perfect storm of ignorance and bigotry.
I recently witnessed a shocking display of ignorance when a woman I know agreed that Johnny Depp is a wife-beater, but then went on to vilify Amber Heard as a “mean white girl” who deserves our hatred. I was left incredulous and asking myself, what in the world is going on in her head? It is deeply concerning that we are still so quick to judge and tear down successful and confident women, particularly those who challenge traditional gender roles and expectations. Women with this mindset must do better by educating themselves on the complexities of such situations and acknowledging the systemic biases that perpetuate harmful stereotypes and discrimination.
During the trial, I spotted a photo of a Johnny-Depp supporter outside the courthouse, a middle-aged Caucasian woman who proudly dressed up in a bizarre costume, believing it to be a “clever” insult towards Heard. Curios about what it was?Allow me to present you this quote from the Los Angeles Daily News article:
“In a bizarre incident captured by Law&Crime, a woman dressed in a poop emoji costume was spotted among the crowd. Clad in a brown tulle skirt and an off-shoulder brown top, the fan grabbed attention with her catchy poop emoji hat atop her head. Visuals pertaining to the same are currently doing rounds on social media, with fans linking it to the defecation issue that came up multiple times amid the hearings.”
As for the woman in the article, she is quite a piece of work. I suggest you to take a look at this interview between her and the award-winning journalist Chris Wallis. I was also fascinated by the thought process behind her costum. To me, it is a perfect encapsulation of the public madness around the trial.
During the interview, it was evident that the woman dressed as “Amber Turd” was more enthusiastic about discussing the design of her costume than the moral implications of her actions and her dislike for Heard. Although Nick Wallis remained polite and non-judgmental in his questioning, it was clear that he was trying to get her to reflect on the ethics of what she was doing. Despite this, she didn’t seem to get defensive and the conversation between them remained civil. However, it was apparent that Wallis didn’t necessarily agree with her behavior or her opinions, but it’s uncertain whether or not he shared that sentiment with her.
According to her, she believes that discussing and sharing traumatic experiences is a way for people to cope with their trauma. As someone who has known a male victim of domestic violence like Johnny, and as someone who has personally experienced being disbelieved about her chronic medical issues, she sees herself as doing this for both personal and empathetic reasons.
However, when Wallis asked her what specifically Amber Heard had done wrong, she appeared to struggle with her response. At one point, she seemed to be having difficulty recalling an important detail about Heard’s statement. Wallis had to clarify that the statement she was referring to was actually from the op-ed, which is one of the specific phrases Depp is suing her over.
I will let that speak for itself.
And yes, I believe this goes without saying, I believe Amber Heard. No, I am not a misandrist, or an Aquaman superfan. I am a simply a woman. As a woman, I have the responsibility to not allow myself to be blinded by stereotypes and assumptions, but rather seek to understand and empathize with one another, recognizing that our differences are a source of strength, not weakness. It’s time to move beyond the destructive “kill the cheerleader” mentality and embrace the diversity and complexity of the world around us. Let’s lift each other up rather than tearing each other down, and work towards a brighter future for all.
