Who are you wearing? Who are you wearing? Who are you wearing?
The ever famous question, posed by Joan Rivers, transformed the red carpet interview forever. However, the now traditional and expected question may not be so prevalent in the future. This past Sunday the 87th Academy Awards aired, signaling the end of the award season. The season may be over but one hashtag has fueled a conversation that goes beyond the glitz and glamour of award season.
The Representation Project created the powerful #AskHerMore hashtag which encourages viewers to single out red carpet reporters to tell them that women are more than the dress they are wearing. The goal of the hashtag is to raise awareness to the double standard in how men and women are treated in the media.
Women are still underrepresented in mainstream media. Last year the Women’s Media Center reported that women represented 28.8% of speaking characters in the top-grossing films in 2012. Instead of focusing on the designer of a women’s dress, they should be asked about their accomplishments, just like men are.
Amy Poehler, the host of this years Golden Globes, partnered with #AskHerMore and sent out a series of question suggestions on Twitter.
Poehler continued her support of the hashtag during the Oscars.
Reese Witherspoon was one of the biggest celebrities to back the #AskHerMore campaign. Witherspoon, who was nominated for best actress, announced that she would not name her dress designer. Instead, Witherspoon promoted the #AskHerMore campaign during the Oscars to encourage reporters to ask questions about the person rather then the garments. The now traditional question “What are you wearing” devalues women’s real accomplishments in the entertainment industry.
Other celebrities in support of the hashtag and its associated message turned to Twitter to spread the word.
Powerful hashtags have the ability to reach global audiences which helps bring attention and raise awareness to important topics. In one night, #AskHerMore was trending on both Facebook and Twitter, creating more than 25 million impressions. The conversation continues.
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Screenshot credit: Tara Holliday
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