Yesterday I attended the Girlguiding UK Big Gig at the Sheffield Arena with a bunch of girls from my old unit in Peterborough. The atmosphere was amazing with 20,000 girls and their leaders enjoying a show that included JLS, Little Mix and Scouting for Girls. Flashing headwear, tonnes of dry ice, and a combined 5 hours of teenage screaming. Some very tired girls were returned home at the end of the day (me included).
I have to say that it’s one of the most enjoyable concerts I’ve been to recently. There‘s no drunken people behind drenching you in beer by throwing their drink at the stage. There’s no smoker catching you with a lit cigarette as they dance. And there’s no idiot kicking you in the head as they try to surf the crowd, which might not end in a head injury if they’re lucky. And that is what guiding is about – giving girls and young women the chance to take part in the activities they want to in a safe, girls-only environment.
Cue the first news articles today and what does the Daily Mail publish? A story about Little Mix’s trousers. It works through the female acts commenting on how they look (nothing about their music), then mentions the boy bands that “also performed”. I think this comment summarises my feelings about the article:
Who cares what she is wearing. She is performing to a group of girls whose values include not judging people by their appearance. All of the acts made the day amazing for the girls. Where is the report about the benefits of guiding and how the Big Gig is a great way for the singers to show their support. JLS returned for another show this year. Pixie Lott was slated in the press for wearing her Brownie uniform last year, but everyone in the crowd loved it and they are who count. Check out #biggig to see the real reviews.- MC, Lincs
Then comes the Mirror, which I have to say manages a bit of gender equality merely by focusing on all of the acts appearances. With the audacity to say:
Because Little Mix were there, looking all grown-up in super sexy little outfits. What would Brown Owl's equivalent at Guides who we can't remember the name of say to this?
I have to answer that I was far too busy wishing I could sing like these beautiful, healthy women to be bothered about what they were wearing. I suppose it’s debatable, but I wouldn’t use the word ‘little’ to describe what they were wearing (contrasted to the Mail who called one garment ‘huge’). I think they were very sensibly dressed for a performance including dancing…
I have to then commend SugarScope on their honesty:
As well as fanny about on the red carpet, the shiny celebs did some singing too. But, er, we weren’t there and nobody’s put any good videos up yet, so you’ll just have to imagine what that was like for now. Ahh, the joys of serious investigative journalism... *waits to be sacked *
It’s not a new complaint that the press is image obsessed and often more so towards women than men. I just hope that the girls who attended who want to find out what their peers thought follow the comments advice and look up #biggig2012 on twitter and don’t obsess about a few pieces of clothing.
Well done Girlguiding UK on another fantastic event!
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