Freeform is editing out all women saying “sorry” today, because it’s time to stop apologizing

Freeform is celebrating International Women’s Day in the best way possible. They’re launching a campaign called #NotSorry, and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. today, March 8th, Freeform will edit out every “sorry” uttered by a female character on each of their shows and movies that are airing, including She’s All That, Miss Congeniality, and Beyond. The network is also encouraging social media followers to speak up and say what they’re #NotSorry for.

Approximately 50 “sorrys” will be omitted by Freeform, all in an effort to encourage women to be “unapologetically bold, daring, confident and powerful.”

"Women should not be sorry for asking for equal rights or equal pay, the campaign states. "Women should not be sorry for seeking justice, speaking out against harassment or asking for gender parity. In observance of International Women's Day, no woman on the Freeform network will say 'I'm sorry.'"

The campaign video shows scenes from popular Freeform shows like grown-ish, The Bold Type, and The Fosters, where all the women saying sorry get bleeped out, coupled with a giant #NotSorry censor plastered across the screen. The #NotSorry initiative is in tune with Freeform’s new tagline, “A Little Forward,” which represents their commitment to breaking stereotypes, fostering inclusivity, and defying societal conventions.

For the longest time, women have been conditioned to be overly apologetic to not come across as rude or aggressive.

We are expected to act “soft” and “refined,” and we often use sorry as our means to be polite and avoid criticism. As a result, we unnecessarily and unconsciously go on a constant apology-spree even if we don’t have to, and we do it everywhere — at school, at the workplace, at social events, and even at home. But, why do we insist on saying it even when we’ve done NOTHING wrong?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWlwr_szeYs?feature=oembed

Maybe it’s time to stop saying sorry for everything. Don’t apologize to the person who bumped into you on the street. Don’t say sorry to the server who forgot to bring you what you asked for. Don’t say sorry to the person you’re meeting because they were late.

Instead, let’s all strive to be confidently unapologetic and follow what Jacquelyn Carlyle said — don’t say sorry when you have NOTHING to apologize for.