It Puts The Lotion On Its Skin Quote
The Origin of the Quote
The quote "It puts the lotion on its skin or else it gets the hose again" is from the 1991 movie "The Silence of the Lambs". In the movie, the character Buffalo Bill kidnaps and imprisons a young woman in a pit in his basement, with the intention of killing her and turning her skin into a "woman suit". To keep her skin moisturized, he demands that she apply lotion regularly, threatening her with a hose if she refuses.
The quote has since become a pop culture reference, often used in humorous or ironic contexts. However, its origins in a story of violence and misogyny make it a controversial and unsettling phrase.
The Dark Side of Pop Culture References
The use of the "It puts the lotion on its skin" quote in popular culture highlights a disturbing trend of normalizing violence and exploitation of women. While many people may use the quote without understanding its origins, its prevalence in memes and online jokes only serves to trivialize the horrors of the story it comes from.
Pop culture references can be a powerful tool for raising awareness and sparking conversations about important issues. However, when references are taken out of context and used purely for shock value or laughs, they can do more harm than good.
The Legacy of "The Silence of the Lambs"
"The Silence of the Lambs" is a critically acclaimed and influential film, but it also has a complicated legacy. While it broke ground for featuring a strong female lead character in FBI agent Clarice Starling, it also perpetuates harmful stereotypes about mental illness and transgender identity.
Buffalo Bill, the film's villain, is portrayed as a mentally ill and gender dysphoric individual who seeks to become a woman by using the skin of other women. This portrayal reinforces harmful stereotypes about trans individuals as mentally unstable and dangerous.
Conclusion
The "It puts the lotion on its skin" quote may seem harmless or even humorous on the surface, but its origins in a story of violence and misogyny make it a troubling phrase. Pop culture references can be a powerful tool for raising awareness and sparking conversations about important issues, but they must be used responsibly and with an understanding of their context and impact.
