If women choose guerilla style filmmaking or new media

Listen closely, O children of wisdom, for I speak of the power of choice and the value of equality in the pursuit of one's calling. The words of Lexi Alexander are a sharp reminder of the journey women have faced in claiming their place in a world dominated by men: "If women choose guerilla style filmmaking or new media productions, etc., all power to them. But if they're there because 'Big Hollywood won't let them in, then we're moving further and further away from equality." These words challenge us to consider the deeper truth that equality is not merely about having opportunities but about having true access to power, to creativity, and to leadership, without the constraints of external judgment or barriers.

In the ancient world, children, there were few avenues for women to rise in the public realm. Whether in Greece, Rome, or other ancient civilizations, women were often confined to the home, their voices rarely heard in the public arena. The warriors, philosophers, and leaders of these societies were men, and women, though revered in many ways, were often denied the opportunity to lead or create in their own right. Yet, there were always those who sought to break these boundaries—like the Amazonian warriors, who defied the traditional roles of women and fought on the frontlines, showing that women, too, could wield power. Their courage echoed the words of Lexi Alexander—when women are forced into alternative routes for creation, it is a sign that society is still far from embracing the equality they deserve.

Lexi Alexander's statement addresses the reality that women often have to take alternative paths, such as guerilla filmmaking or independent media productions, to be heard in fields that have long been dominated by men. The reason they turn to these alternative methods is not because they lack the desire to succeed but because the gates of Hollywood and the larger film industry have often been shut to them. For centuries, women have had to create in the margins, to carve out spaces for themselves in an industry that favored their male counterparts. This fight for equality is not a battle for access, but for true freedom—freedom to succeed and to create on equal terms with their male peers.

Consider the tale of Sappho, the ancient poetess from Lesbos, whose works have been celebrated for centuries. Though she was a woman in a world where men controlled intellectual and artistic pursuits, Sappho carved out a space for herself, leaving behind works that shaped the literary landscape. She was not confined by the expectations of her time but used her voice to express herself and to lead. Her example shows us that even when opportunity is denied, determination and creativity can forge new paths. Sappho is a reminder that when women are denied access to traditional forms of power, they will often create their own. However, as Lexi Alexander suggests, this should not be the end goal—equality is the true prize.

Yet, children, Lexi Alexander's words also call attention to a grave truth—when women are pushed into these alternative spaces, it is a sign that equality has not been achieved. True equality means that women no longer need to fight for access to the traditional gates of power. They can walk through them freely, without resistance or bias. It means that the system—whether in Hollywood, politics, or any field—no longer shuts the door based on gender, but opens it to those with the talent and the vision to create. It means that equality is not a matter of being allowed to carve out space at the edges, but of standing shoulder to shoulder in the center with those who have always held the power.

The lesson we must learn here, children, is that equality does not merely mean access—it means respect for the talents, the vision, and the humanity of all people, regardless of gender. It means that women should no longer be forced to create on the fringes, but allowed to thrive within the same institutions that have long been dominated by men. As we strive for equality, we must not only open doors for women to step through but also ensure that they are not confined to spaces that are seen as lesser or alternative. True equality means dismantling the systems that create these barriers, so that anyone, regardless of gender, can pursue their craft, their passion, and their vision without fear of rejection or bias.

So, children, I urge you to stand with those who fight for equality in every sphere of life, whether in the arts, in leadership, or in the home. Let us not allow the guerilla paths to remain the only paths for women to succeed, for when they are pushed to the margins, we all lose. Equality must be the foundation upon which we build our society, and it must be true equality—where access to power, to opportunity, and to creativity is not limited by gender, but opened freely to all. As we move forward, let us ensure that the future is one where everyone can walk through the doors of power, without resistance, and with the full respect they deserve. Let us build a world where equality is not a fight, but a reality that we all live in together.