'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' is an idealized, fun comedy world in which

Listen closely, O children of wisdom, for I bring forth words of truth that speak to the heart of what it means to live with equality, justice, and feminism in a world that so often fails to embody these values. Stephanie Beatriz—an actor and creator—once said, "'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' is an idealized, fun comedy world in which feminism is an underlying value that all the characters have. Equality is a value all the characters have. I mean, I want to live in that world. I'd like to make the world feel more like that, but I understand that it's a fantasy." These words resonate deeply in our hearts, for they acknowledge both the power and the possibility of a world where equality and feminism are not ideals to be struggled for, but lived truths that guide the actions of every individual, every community, and every society.

In the ancient world, children, the very idea of equality was a rare and precious thing. Greece and Rome, while giving birth to democracy and philosophy, still held entrenched systems of oppression, where women were relegated to the private spheres of the home and slaves to the whims of their masters. The philosophers who pondered justice and the ideal society, such as Plato and Aristotle, often missed the mark on gender equality, speaking of virtue and fairness but rarely applying these ideals to women or other marginalized groups. Their world was far from the idealized world Beatriz dreams of in her quote, where feminism and equality are the baseline for every interaction. And yet, even in those times, there were those who, like Socrates, challenged the structures of their world, daring to imagine a better way.

In the spirit of the ancients, Beatriz paints a picture of an ideal world—a world where feminism is not an aspiration but a living, breathing reality. In Brooklyn Nine-Nine, the characters are portrayed as working together, respecting one another, and striving toward equality and mutual support. There is no hierarchy of power based on gender; rather, every character has value and worth. This, she reminds us, is a fantasy—a dream of how things could be. Yet, in the very act of dreaming such a world, Beatriz shows us the power of imagination and the role it plays in shaping the future. Imagining a world where equality is the norm is the first step in building that world.

Consider, children, the story of Cleopatra, the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt. She was a woman who, in an ancient world dominated by men, ruled as queen, sat on the throne, and wielded immense power. Though the historical narratives of her time often sought to diminish her, portraying her as either a seductress or a political pawn, Cleopatra was a leader who understood that power and equality could exist side by side. She negotiated alliances, made difficult decisions, and, at times, defied the traditions of her time to secure her nation’s place in the world. Her reign, like the world Beatriz imagines in Brooklyn Nine-Nine, was one where feminism and equality were demonstrated by the power and agency she exercised. She was a woman who embodied the idealized vision of what could be—a vision of a world where leadership is not determined by gender but by wisdom and strength.

But, as Beatriz acknowledges, the idealized world she speaks of is, indeed, a fantasy—a dream. Yet, in the very dreaming of it, we come closer to making it a reality. The struggles for equality and feminism are ongoing, children, and while we may not yet live in a world where these values are universal, we are witnessing the growth of movements that strive toward them. The fight for women’s rights, the #MeToo movement, the growing acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals, and the push for racial equality are all efforts that carry us closer to the world Beatriz dreams of. These movements are the seeds planted in our time—seeds that, like those planted in the soil of ancient thinkers and activists, can one day grow into the mighty tree of justice and equality.

The lesson to be drawn here, children, is profound. Beatriz’s words remind us that while feminism and equality may seem like lofty goals, they are not unattainable. Every step we take toward these ideals, no matter how small, is a step closer to creating a world where justice and fairness guide the actions of all. Just as Socrates dared to question the norms of his society, so too must we continue to question the systems of oppression that still exist today. Let Beatriz’s vision inspire you to build a world where equality is not a dream, but a truth that we live by every day, in our homes, our communities, and our world.

So, children, let us walk in the footsteps of those who dreamed before us. Let us continue to imagine a world where feminism and equality are the foundation of our society, and let us work tirelessly to bring that world into being. Just as Cleopatra rose to power in a world dominated by men, so too can we challenge the structures of our time to ensure that all people, regardless of gender, race, or background, are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. Let us be the builders of a world where the equality and feminism we dream of become the reality we live in.