50 Dollars Not 50 Shades

Instead of seeing the movie 50 Shades Darker, the Women's and Children's Alliance are asking if you'll consider donating $50. 

Do you fantasize about the life Anastasia lives? This is us not judging. However, if you're one of those people who couldn't wait for us to stop talking about Fifty Shades, this might be more your style.

Back in 2015 when Fifty Shades of Grey hit theaters (the first movie of the franchise), there were mixed reactions. For those who hadn't read the books, the content was a bit of a surprise. Not long after that, #50dollarsnot50shades started trending.

But what did it mean?

The campaign pushes people to take the $50 they would spend on a night out and a movie (Fifty Shades) and donate it to a women's shelter. The argument is that the movie/franchise sends the wrong message and perpetuates a cycle of coming back to an abusive partner after apologies or gift-giving.

Here in Boise, Beatrice Black, the Executive Director of the Women and Children's Alliance says:

It is portrayed as a love story but really it is a story of abuse, and this movie is normalizing this.

Thinking that we can change someone just because we love them enough is a very strong and dangerous trap to be in.