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Why Arietta Murdock is Badass

I've been thinking about my history lecture last Thursday. We were learning about the history of America's encounters with the Natives. The professor put up a slide explaining The Wild West Weekly, a "Cowboys and Indians" magazine with stories and sketches of western life. This weekly subscription from early 20th century America would usually not spark my interest, but what intrigued me were its characters, namely Arietta Murdock. She and Young Wild West (a handsome youth with the body of Apollo, as he is described) go on adventures and kick ass, basically. I'm proud of this Arietta character, who is a golden haired heroine in a time when women weren't even allowed to vote.



The reasons why Arietta Murdock is badass:
- She is a highly skilled horseback rider and rides vicious broncs
- She saves Young Wild West's ass when he's tied up and about to get killed by the Sioux
- She is also really good with weaponry
- She is considered physically stronger than the average man

I've only read up a little bit on Arietta, but from what I learned she is a symbol of a western woman. And if this is what a western woman is like- strong, independent, and fearless- then I want to be one. In fact, I think Arietta would be a good role model for little girls. It's better to look up to her than to someone like... Cinderella.

The reasons why Cinderella is not badass:
- She doesn't know how to mount a horse, she rides in a pumpkin instead
- She is saved by a man who only likes her for her small feet/aesthetic appearance
- She can't use weapons, or kick ass, or stand up for herself. Oh, but she can cook and clean.
- She doesn't depend on herself to be successful. She believes in a fairy.

Truthfully, I have nothing against Cinderella, but when compared to cowgirl Arietta...she seems like a sissy. Lesson of the day: throw away the glass slippers and put on some cowboy boots instead. And don't wait for a man to save you. Hell, you can even save a man.

Sources (don't care about APA/AAA/MLA/Chicago style screw you all this is not school)
http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/Exhibits/nativeamericans/44.html

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