Something New

The dynamics of this movie are quite interesting. I realized the impact of differential access to education and how it afforded Kenya the chance at everything (financial stability, home owndership, independence) but "keeping a man." It was also interesting to view the relationship that Kenya shared with her mother versus her father. While her father was more supportive for her to further her career and become as successful and self accomplished as possible, her mother continued to harp on the absence of man in her daughter's life. Also, the influence of Kenya's friends created an unwelcoming space for single women. She was constantly tormented for not having a man instead of celebrated for understanding that she had options and could be as selective as she wanted or even to ask what it is that she wanted. I am not against the institution of marriage or committed dating but I do feel however that too much attention is set by the societal norms/pressures to attain that man prize. At the beginning of the movie we could tell that Kenya led a seemingly boring life that lacked all spontaneity and excitement. Such dullness was represented in the plain beige walls and furniture, no music, business attire, and routine behavior. During the season of Valentine's Day, she was forced to evaluate her life in terms of her single life while others celebrated their spouses and loved ones. Finally, a coworker fixed her on a date with someone to complete her ever so empty life. It seemed to me that the date was of desperation in an attempt to rescue Kenya and not necessarily one that was genuinely introduced based on common interests or potentiality which is to me is problematic because its giving off the message that simply having A man in your life can be the answer. In fact, once she allowed herself to be free in loving this white man, her life became "fuller" as she had more culture and spunk in her style of dress, louder colors on the walls of her house, and natural hair. Kenya's character aroused so much attention from friends and family because she was the non-serviceable type of woman- those that are self managed, educated, career oriented, etc. which made her less appealing to the men that she had previously dated. When she eventually found love or some type of affinity towards the man she was introduced to, because of his race she was ridiculed for her feelings; therefore, she was continually being oppressed by her own family and friends based on the influence of socialization on how she should feel and what she should do with her feelings. It was as if she was trapped in box of how to appease everyone except for herself. Should she venture on the traditional relationship with the successful black man that she had no chemistry with or struggle to cross the barriers between races in the white landscaper? Either way her own happiness was somehow less important because she was going to have to settle for or prove herself in either decision. The lack of freedom she had in her own adult life was quite sad as she struggled daily to assert herself as an independent woman. How free can women ever be when always oppressed, by their own kind especially, on how to even express creation's most natural components....how to love?