--- title: "Gabby Sidibe on What's Missing From Movies, Plus Organizations Making a Difference" date: 2012-02-29T23:24:28-05:00 author: OBOS Admin canonical_url: "https://ourbodiesourselves.org/blog/gabby-sidibe-on-whats-missing-from-movies-plus-organizations-making-a-difference" section: Blog (Archive) --- [Donate](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/donate) [From the Archives of Our Bodies, Our Blog](/blog)# Gabby Sidibe on What's Missing From Movies, Plus Organizations Making a Difference By Christine Cupaiuolo • February 29, 2012 Please note: This entry -- originally posted at [Our Bodies, Our Blog](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/blog) -- has not been updated since the publication date listed above. During the Oscars on Sunday night, a video montage featured a number of famous actors speaking about the power of movies. [Gabourey Sidibe](https://www.facebook.com/GaboureySidibe?v=wall "Gabourey Sibide on Facebook"), a [break-out star](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2829737/ "Gabourey Sidibe on IMDB") who was nominated in 2010 for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in "Precious," shared something quite personal: > The way I watch movies, I'm really searching for myself, because I don't get to see enough of myself and I don't -- I kind of don't get to like myself enough. > > > > But if I get to see myself on screen, then I know that I exist. ![Gabby Sidibe at Academy Awards in 2010](https://assets.ourbodiesourselves.org/images/blog-archive/gabby-sidibe-287x300.jpg "gabby-sidibe")In that short statement, Sidibe (left, at the Academy Awards in 2010) revealed a great deal about representation and identity in Hollywood, which rarely includes women who don't match a young, thin and white ideal. When young (and old) women don't see themselves in popular culture -- the lingua franca of our times -- they receive the message that their lives are not as important or worthy of inclusion. A number of organizations have been working to counter this message by focusing on girls' inner beauty, smarts and talent. [New Moon Girls Media](http://www.newmoon.com/ "New Moon"), which publishes New Moon magazine and runs a moderated online community for girls, has launched [Yes, I'm Beautiful!](http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6D9405E82907DD00 "Yes, I'm Beautiful!"), a YouTube project that asks, "Why are you beautiful? What is true beauty? What would you say to someone who isn't sure about her/his beauty?" No matter what your age you can send your "Yes, I'm Beautiful" video to: beautynewmoon AT gmail.com. It's a nice counterpoint to stories about [young girls turning to YouTube](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/the-hot-button/am-i-ugly-teens-turn-to-youtube-trolls-for-the-answer/article2349527/ "“Am I ugly?” Teens turn to YouTube trolls for the answer") to ask for public comment on whether they're ugly. Hardy Girls, Healthy Women is offering a [free webinar](http://www.hghw.org/node/251 "How to Build a High School Media Activism Group Thu, 02/02/2012 - 10:27 — admin") in March and April to introduce its girl-driven media activism site, [Powered By Girl](http://poweredbygirl.org/ "Powered by Girl") (PBG), and will offer tips on using social media for youth activism. As [Rachel pointed out](http://www.ourbodiesourblog.org/blog/2012/02/national-eating-disorders-awareness-week "National Eating Disorders Awareness Week") yesterday, the National Eating Disorders Association has launched [Proud2BMe](http://proud2bme.org/home "Proud2BeMe"), which includes the [Stamp Out Bodysnarking](http://proud2bme.org/content/stamp-out-bodysnarking "Stamp Out Bodysnarking") project to reduce bullying based on one's appearance. Later today, Lady Gaga and her mother, Cynthia Germanotta, will officially launch the [Born This Way Foundation](http://bornthiswayfoundation.org/ "Born This Way Foundation") at a celebrity-filled event at Harvard University. The foundation will support programs and initiatives that empower youth -- focusing on issues of self-confidence, well-being, anti-bullying, mentoring and career development. Hollywood embraces diversity at a glacial pace. Fortunately these groups are ahead of the times. --- #### 2 Responses Our Bodies Ourselves is no longer able to accept comments. **Bettina** on Mar 01, 2012 THANK YOU for writing about Gabby Sidibe's quote from the Oscars. I've been searching and shocked that there has been more reaction since Sunday. I also wrote about it, as I think it's really important for people to talk about. If you're interested, you can find it here: http://bettinawrites.blogspot.com/2012/02/race-gender-size-age-and-oscars.html **Ann-Elizabeth** on Jan 26, 2014 This is a beautiful message to write about . I especially love Gabourey Sidibe, she's such a brave and wonderful actress. 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