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"When you get to be about 35, call me, if I am still single."
I watched Momma, I Made It starring Yvonne Orji from HBO’s Insecure. We could all use a bit of comedic relief these days so I scrolled Roku until I landed on this. I got cozy last night and tuned in.
Although I’ve watched Insecure previously, I had no idea Yvonne is a stand-up comedienne. This was my first time watching her do standup comedy and I loved the opening to the show. Seeing her with her family in Nigeria was heartwarming.
Watching her walk through the town and communicating with marketers was a unique opening. I was set to enjoy the show.
Then something happened, and after I saw it, I couldn’t take my mind off it.
She did something I’ve done many times myself but only recently have come to question it. This is the clip.
She jokes with a cute 12 year-old boy who’s tending the market with his uncle nearby. “When you get to be about 35, call me, if I am still single.” No one batted an eye.
The same way no one has ever said anything or looked concerned when I’ve joked similarly with cute little boys (in the presence of their parent or adults).
“I’m gonna marry you!” “Who’s my little boyfriend? You are! Yes, you are!” “With the prospects out here today, I’ll wait for him to grow up!” And we all laugh.
While I’ve never meant any harm and have no unhealthy affections toward children, isn’t it still wrong?
Example
If a man said the same to a little girl, whether Black or White, in the ‘hood or the burbs, I’d be beside myself. Most of us would. There’d more commonly be concern, whispers, looks, side-eyes, comments. But not for women.
I recently watched an episode of Shark Tank and Barbara Corcoran was hooting and hollering about 3 sexy younger men who came out on stage with oily bodies and great muscles. Of course, they were dressed to get the attention they got, and they were clearly of age.
But the thing is, if women came out dressed similarly and the men on the show were to behave like Barbara did, there would definitely be something said about it. Likely, from Barbara herself!
Why do we allow women to do the things we say men should not?
Why the double standard? Is it just presumed that women being the so-called weaker sex aren’t considered threats so we just turn a blind eye?
I took to Twitter to see if anyone was talking about this. To see if anyone else commented on what I had noticed. Not a mention.
I’m not here to bash Yvonne Orji or anyone, really. Let me state clearly, for the record, that I do not think this woman has unhealthy relationships with children. This just came to mind again after watching the show.
With all the wokeness going on, shouldn’t we be woke here, too?
TL;DR
What is it about culture that puts on blinders to questionable behavior by women? Like the one who helped Jeffrey Epstein all those years.
How do you feel about it? What if it was your 12 year-old? Would you say something? Or is it just not an issue?
What say you? I look forward to your comments.