The United Nations has abruptly revoked the honorary ambassadorship that it had recently announced for “Wonder Woman.” No not one of the actresses that has portrayed the character in pop culture, but the character herself. Upon the announcement that the Amazonian warrior was chosen for an honorary position, people lobbed criticism almost immediately at the organization for the choice. Among reasons for the uproar is a petition that collected more than 45,000 signatures stating that,
“It is alarming that the United Nations would consider using a character with an overtly sexualized image at a time when the headline news in United States and the world is the objectification of women and girls. The image that Wonder Woman projects (life-size cut outs of which have already appeared at UNHQ) is not culturally encompassing or sensitive — attributes the United Nations expects all its staff members to embody in the core value of respect for diversity.”
“A large-breasted white woman of impossible proportions, scantily clad in a shimmery, thigh-baring body suit with an American flag motif and knee-high boots.”
The petition makes a lot of good points, up to and including the fact that appointing a hero who is active specifically in the United States to an ambassadorship that, however honorary, encompasses dozens of countries and cultures.
UN spokesperson Jeffrey Brez publicly acknowledged that some people felt the choice was inappropriate to represent women and girls worldwide since Wonder Woman is a fictional character — however he pulled up short of admitting that the honorary ambassadorship period was ending any earlier than planned, stating that honorary situations such as this sometimes only last a few days at most. At least Wonder Woman has a fictional presidency to hold on to elsewhere in the DC universe.
(via Variety)
