It’s just a drop of blood, but it’s a “huge step” toward normalizing periods “and smashing the stigma which surrounds them.” That’s according to a leader at Plan International U.K., the organization responsible for the blood drop emoji coming soon to phones near you.
It’s one small step for woman. But it’s not one giant leap for womankind.
The girls’ rights group lobbied the Unicode Consortium, the California-based group responsible for standardizing emojis (yes, that’s a thing) to include among its 2019 updates something representing menstruation. Its first idea was period pants, but after that was rejected, Plan International U.K. partnered with NHS Blood and Transplant to create the ruby red droplet.
Celebrating blood donors is one thing, and it’s a valid reason to create a new emoji, even if the result is trivial. But breaking down period stigma? This is not the way to do it.
Speaking as a woman who agrees that women should not feel shame or stigma about normal bodily functions, I would like to point out that it trivializes menstruation to act like a single emoji will break down the stigma. What next, a lightning bolt for cramps? A chocolate bar for cravings? A grimacing face for general sadness and despair? Oh wait, we already have all those.
American feminism has recently fixated on the “period stigma,” but we can avoid stigma without ideas so trite as an emoji or so garish as “free bleeding.”
Every time new emojis are released, they expand in diversity, inclusivity, and representation. Fifty-nine new emojis will be released this year; combined with updated emojis, including interracial couples, that’s 230 new emojis by this fall.
When you can’t find an emoji for gingers, or friends with guide dogs or wheelchairs, having more options matters. But adding a drop of blood to the list will do nothing to decrease stigma surrounding periods. I’ll stick with my chocolate bar, thanks.
