Ageism & the Aesthetics of Survival
There is a conversation that is centered around Emmy-winning actress, icon Jasmine Guy but it also opens up a topic regarding all women of a more seasoned age. Following the highly anticipated premiere of, A Different World series on Netflix, social media feeds quickly filled with hyper critical commentary regarding the 64 year old star’s physical appearance. Viewers began harshly comparing her current look to how she appeared nearly four decades ago as Whitley Gilbert.
The pushback from fans was immediate, calling out the internet's double standard. While male co-stars are often allowed to portray themselves on screen with all of their midlife transitions ignored, veteran actresses face an uphill battle. When women age naturally, they are targeted with ageism. Yet, if a woman turns to plastic surgery to maintain her youthful look, they seem to face equal scrutiny and judgment for trying "too hard" to fight time.
Jasmine Guy didn't stay silent, she took to Instagram to address the noise directly,
The internet can be brutal to women as we grow older. It asks us to celebrate life while criticizing every sign that we've lived it. She acknowledged that aging brings changes that aren't always easy, but reminded everyone that "beauty, style, and joy don't have an expiration date.
Guy closed her statement by urging her followers to spend less time judging appearances and more time living life. A poignant reminder that growing older is a privilege not everyone is afforded.