Babysitting may be a part-time gig for young artists and college students, but it’s a full-time opportunity to impart wisdom on young minds. So why not turn playtime into a seminar in feminism?
That’s the premise behind a hilarious new webseries from comedy duo Ginny Leise and Soojeong Son.
In Feminist Babysitter, Leise plays the titular caregiver who can’t let a minute go by without a nod to the patriarchy. Never mind that the child she’s caring for can barely speak.
Son’s 2-year-old niece, Ahri Son, plays the adorably attentive but baffled toddler. Her deadpan reactions are the perfect counterpoint to Leise’s enthusiastic ranting. While leafing through a magazine that fails to feature Asian actresses, Leise exclaims, “We should burn this—and start a ‘zine!” Son gives her an adorable dazed look.
Leise, who’s a real-life nanny and babysitter, says the inspiration for the series came from a genuine desire to start a dialogue.
“I’ve found myself increasingly in conversations where I just want to speak to [the kids I work with] all about feminism,” she told the Daily Dot. “I have this real feeling like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is my opportunity to impart some wisdom on children.’”
But Leise and Son aren’t taking aim at feminism. They have true respect for the cause. If anything, Leise is having a laugh at her own emotional urges.
“For me, the humor isn’t making fun of feminism or feminist causes,” she explained. “We’re poking fun at the earnestness and the urgency [of] this character [who] thinks every moment is an opportunity and she’s not going to let a single one go by without saying something… I’m just [playing] this ridiculous heightened character who’s very close to my heart.”
The three-part series is full of funny and tender moments, from challenging Son to recognize the importance of intersectionality to coaxing her into saying the word “vagina.” One watch and you’ll be ready to burn your diapers and start a revolution.
Screengrab via SJ&GINNY COMEDY/YouTube