The recent all-female space flight by Blue Origin, a company owned by Jeff Bezos, has been touted as a triumph of feminism and women’s empowerment. However, the true nature of this spectacle reveals a dark side to American feminism that prioritizes superficiality over substance.
Blue Origin was founded on the ashes of state abandonment of space exploration, with Bezos pouring his own funds into the company. Despite its focus on tourism, Blue Origin has struggled to keep pace with rival SpaceX. The company’s publicity stunts featuring celebrities have become a hallmark of its operations.
The all-female crew, which included pop star Katy Perry and Bezos’s partner Lauren Sánchez, was promoted as a celebration of women in STEM fields. However, the crew’s self-presentation and promotion of the flight has been criticized for being overly focused on superficial aspects such as makeup and hair.
When asked about their priorities, the crew members seemed to prioritize glamour over substance. Katy Perry stated that “space is going to finally be glam,” while Sánchez talked about lash extensions flying in the capsule. Aisha Bowe, an aerospace engineer, admitted to taking a “dry run” skydiving trip to ensure her hair would be suitable for the experience.
This shallow approach to feminism is not only disappointing but also raises questions about the values of American feminism under the current administration. It appears that women’s achievements are being tied to their ability to appeal to men, rather than their own intellect and hard work.
The Blue Origin flight may have been a publicity stunt, but it exposes the dark side of feminism in America – one that is more concerned with appearances than substance. As Moira Donegan, a Guardian columnist, aptly puts it, “if this is the future that awaits women in Donald Trump’s America… count me out.”
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/apr/15/blue-origin-flight-american-feminism