So I was up late going down memory lane and decided to watch old shows that I remember as a child. I saw “Designing Women” on Hulu and though I barely remembered the show, I put it on for nostalgia. I was FLOORED by how much more overtly feminist (and not the libfem kind) this shows messages were in just the first two episodes. 

 Julia Sugarbaker, one of the main characters, had moments of pure outspoken badassery that are desperately needed in today’s Pickme media.  I found myself clapping when her and Mary Jo (Annie Potts) did a tear down of beauty contests and why women degrade themselves on tv just to be given a number by judges, when men would never do such a thing to themselves.  Then in the first episode when a man tried to insert himself into the ladies evening out at their table, Julia tore him a new one.  About all the men who think it’s their right to bother women who just don’t want their attention but think they’re entitled to it.     There’s another plot point in that very episode that shows the dangers of going 50/50 and being self-sacrificial for a man and how he never appreciated or deserved it, but the lady who didn’t and had higher standards got better treatment.  Some very poignant messages just in two episodes!  I can’t say that the show is perfect or never has any issues, but from my brief re-watch it shows how empowered TV can and USED to be during the 80’s and 90’s for women.  These women aren’t wearing anything skintight or revealing either like in today’s media.  They’re dressed classy and to the 9s, and unlike in today’s culture and media, they don’t appear to have any cosmetic surgery.  They remind me of the Golden Girls, but before they got to their golden years.     Is it 100% FDS?  Of course not, as that wasn’t even a term back then.   But does it showcase many FDS points and true feminist messages?  Absolutely!  For any of you who wants a refreshing look at how media used to be and could be for women, I’d say check it out.  We need shows like this again so young girls don’t think they have to have 50 procedures and act like self-debasing “cOoL gIRlS” to have friends, success, happiness and lovers.  I plan to watch the rest of it :)

TL;DR—check out Designing Women on Hulu for a breath of fresh air