Kate Cohen: What that ‘Barbie’ speech should have said to reflect the actual lives of women

Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling in a scene from 'Barbie'. Photo: AP

Kate Cohen

In the final act of the Barbie movie, when the Kens have taken over Barbieland and Barbie has lost hope, America Ferrera – playing Gloria, a working mother visiting from the real world – gives a rousing speech that has been the subject of so much discussion we might as well call it The Speech.

The Speech articulates the ridiculous, conflicting standards women are expected to meet: physically, professionally, socially and emotionally (“always be grateful”).