2008 Woodie Awards
Or So She Thought
Issue date: 11/16/05 Section: Opinion
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Online Editor
When I am writing a paper, I like to have background noise because it helps me concentrate. I usually watch Cartoon Network, but since the North Greenville Network doesn't offer it anymore, I had to find something else. My remote somehow led me to the Lifetime Movie channel.
I must admit that I don't usually enjoy Lifetime movies. They are usually over-dramatic and not very realistic. But on that day, the movie playing caught my attention.
It was the life story of Marilyn Monroe. It began from when she was shy, brunette Norma Jean Baker and followed her life to when she was the blonde bombshell singing "Happy Birthday" to President Kennedy. I have never known much about Monroe, although her face is recognizable on anything.
She was and is an icon of beauty in this culture. For years men have wanted to be with her and women have wanted to be her. She has been placed in the same legendary category as Elvis and James Dean. But she was never happy.
As I watched the tragedy of her life unfold, I saw so many women I know represented in Monroe. Throughout the movie, Monroe moves from man to man looking for love and security. She gave herself to any man who promised her safety, who promised that she wouldn't be alone. Monroe was married at least three times and was in serious relationships with many more. She mysteriously died not long after a supposed affair with Kennedy.
Now I know that a Lifetime movie of Marilyn Monroe's life may not be the most honest portrayal, but I feel sure that it hits pretty close to home. It makes my heart break to know that for a woman so beautiful and with so much potential, she fell so hard. It breaks my heart because I know that there are many more women out there just like Marilyn Monroe.
Why is it that women are made to feel like they must constantly be looking for security? I understand how wonderful it feels to have someone to take care of you, and I know the longing for that, but why can't we be content as God made us? Monroe changed her entire appearance, her lifestyle, even her name to become someone who men would desire.
Sometimes I wish I could leave my Norma Jean Baker persona and become a Marilyn Monroe. Sometimes I think I would like to know what it feels like to be wanted and loved by so many. And perhaps for a little while, it would feel wonderful, but I think it would leave me empty and longing for something, for anything.
I want to be happy with the person I am. I try to be, at least. I know I'm not perfect. I never will be, but God created me in this way. Perhaps I am only a Norma Jean Baker, but at least I know that I will never have to worry about being safe.