'Dear Woman': Will Ferrell Spoofs The Manifesto For Conscious Men (VIDEO)

Last March, a group called Conscious Men released a video containing their manifesto. It was entitled "Dear Woman," and to date has gotten over 600,000 views on YouTube.

While many women probably appreciated the video's message of acceptance and celebration, its new-age-y aesthetic and goofy font choices left it ripe for parody, and none other than Will Ferrell has stepped up to the plate to do it justice.

Ferrell, along with an all-star cast including Will Forte, Tim Heidecker, Nick Kroll, Paul Scheer, Rob Huebel and Jon Daly picked up where the Conscious Men left off and recorded his own message for women everywhere, letting them know that he has their backs.

We, for one, are thrilled to see that feminism is alive and well in 2k11.

WATCH: Funny Or Die's Parody

Dear Woman from Will Ferrell

WATCH: The Original Video

We get it -- you're busy. Only have time for one web bit a day? Here's The One thing we think you cannot miss today.

Comments

[americawasgreatonce]

06:37 AM on 08/11/2011

The parody is funny, the original is sad.

[CrystallineRuby]

11:21 AM on 07/07/2011

I am a feminist woman. I thought this was hilarious! The way it poked fun of Gay & Arjuna (whom I respect immensely) & the New Age aesthetic. I have seen other Dear Woman spoofs that I found disturbing & offensive. This one I loved.

I also very much appreciated the original Dear Woman. I found it cheezball as hell ... but was touched by the sentiment. Men trying to repair centuries of damage. So what if they didn't do it perfectly to suit every watcher? (Impossible) So what if they are human & make mistakes? I saw an attempt at healing as their intention, & I am grateful.

Yes, individual women & men are dishonest, blame others for things they didn't do (whether it be rape or other false accusations). Dishonesty & manipulation are an epidemic. The original video is addressing a system of power that has allowed thousands of women to get raped, mutilated, etc. throughout history, with impunity, with approval even. A history in which women's voices were officially disallowed (as in the lack of voting rights).

Now, I realize there are those who still don't believe women should have a right to vote. To you, I do not expect to get through, for we see the world differently at the moment. To those who do value women's voices & humanity, consider giving these guys a break & wondering what moves you can make toward healing. If you are already doing that, then my gratitude to you.

[Soulshaper]

09:57 AM on 06/26/2011

Thank you ElUno.. And there is also an 'Apologies to the Divine Feminine- from a warrior in transition', an attempt to heal the rifts between men and women and to open the door to a new way of being, one that celebrates our shared humanness. I offer it from me, my brothers, and even from that deeper part of Will Ferrell et al. that lives below the frat boy, mysoginy masquerading as parody... http://soulshaping.com/?p=782

[ElUno]

03:43 AM on 06/26/2011

Great news Soulshaper and everyone else! There's a Manifesto for Conscious Women now!

lifecoachmary.com/blog/2011/06/manifesto-for-the-conscious-woman/

[Soulshaper]

04:18 PM on 06/25/2011

Dear Will Ferrell et al: As one of the writers who helped Gay & Arjuna to re-draft the Conscious Mens Manifesto that sources the 'Dear Woman' video, I'm horrified by this parody. Images of women being thrown down hills, disparaging remarks about women's pubic hair etc are never funny to an evolving world. Clearly these regressed men have yet to taste the pleasure of the heart-genital highway, one where their experience of connection is rooted in that which is sacred and heartfelt. This video is a direct reflection of their own alienation from the source-spring. The gender battleground is overwhelmed with trauma, millions of horrifying events that have left women scarred and shamed. The awakening masculine understands this deeply, and never gets pleasure from images of abuse against women. He puts his energy into rectifying the imbalances, and courageously standing firm in his devotion to the divine feminine. What you need to realize, Will, is that its actually manly to hold the hearts of others safe. It is never manly to get attention by perpetuating the horrors our brothers have committed. We need to stand firmly against that, benevolent warriors of a heartfelt nature determined to honor the wonder that is woman. Even if you didn't like the feeling of the 'Dear Woman' video, atleast those involved were seeking to take humanity higher. I invite you to use your very considerable clout to raise consciousness in ways that enhance humanity. Sincerely, Jeff Brown (www.soulshaping.com)

[MM McGee]

11:16 AM on 07/02/2011

What you need to realize, Soulshaper, is that it's actually far more manly to understand that women are perfectly capable of holding their own hearts safe. It's extremely patriarchal, on the other hand, to assume that women are heart-based, emotion-based universal essences.

[CrystallineRuby]

11:32 AM on 07/07/2011

Actually, I want to live in a world where we all help one another with our hearts. I don't want to live in a world where autonomy & independence are the markers of success. My man holds my heart safe, & I his. And we hold the hearts of our family, friends, & children. And I hold my own & teach my children to do this as well.

[Austro-libertarian]

04:48 PM on 06/24/2011

This is too hilarous, can't stop laughing!

Although I would've preferred if they'd just beat up the creators of the original video (sarc).

[haley Reed]

01:19 PM on 06/24/2011

Women need to mellow out. This is funny. It's a joke. Just chill.

[Anne Garavaglia]

01:41 PM on 06/24/2011

But it's not really funny -- it's mediocre schtick. I expect more from these guys. This thing put me to sleep.

[americawasgreatonce]

06:37 AM on 08/11/2011

You mean the original... right?

[Anne Garavaglia]

12:45 PM on 06/24/2011

Boys, you should have also apologized for this lame attempt at funny.

[Austro-libertarian]

04:48 PM on 06/24/2011

"Boys"? These are grown men.

[Austro-libertarian]

04:49 PM on 06/24/2011

Maybe that's your attempt at being condescending because you can't stand a little criticism?

[birdsofafeather]

12:27 PM on 06/24/2011

laughing to hard to type this comment

[rimofheaven]

11:06 PM on 06/23/2011

Thank you, Will for making me smile:)

[Ina Dolce]

09:19 PM on 06/23/2011

i like the idea of the first one.

And I don't find the spoof funny. There is truth to the original. I mean, c'mon. Open your eyes.

Just this month we Schwarzeneggar and Weiner.

[haley Reed]

01:27 PM on 06/24/2011

Chill out. There are dishonest, unfaithful women out there just as much as there are men. Pulling the feminism card is super 90s - I think that's actually your biggest offense.

[Ina Dolce]

10:25 PM on 06/27/2011

yeah there are but there are three times as men dishonest men out there. Maybe if you en stop referring to equality as a card that belongs in another era we could get somewhere. BHAHHH.

[ubrew12]

06:34 PM on 06/23/2011

I found this through the parody, which I like. But I was deeply touched by the original, cuz I think it's right. Here's a prediction: in 20-30 years, everyone is going to be thinking what the guys in the original are thinking now. Take the finance sector, for example. The perps: ALL guys. The people who warned about it (Brooksley Born), and are now touted as the potential solution (Liz Warren): ALL gals. It's so obvious it's freaky.

[Ina Dolce]

09:17 PM on 06/23/2011

Totally!!

[MM McGee]

10:57 AM on 07/02/2011

The perps. All guys. The reason: to impress women. The beneficiaries: the women they impress. The punished: all guys. The little tattle tales: women who weren't the beneficiaries.

[Kathlyn and Gay Hendricks]

04:57 PM on 06/23/2011

This may be the high spot in my career, getting my words read and spoofed by one of my favorite comedians! Thanks for the chuckle, guys (and thanks to the thousands of great women and men who've written us to appreciate the original.)
With love,
Gay Hendricks

[MM McGee]

11:04 AM on 07/02/2011

It seems to me that you've gone far out of your way to perpetuate the patriarchal attitude that women are allegories for some divine essence. You do realize that most goddess myths are patriarchal myths, don't you? As someone who believes in individual equality, and who grew out of my Carl Jung stage long ago, I have to side with the many, many women who find your rhetoric creepy. Universalizing woman-ness is dehumanizing to women, at bottom, and is a very convoluted way to do what men have been doing for millennia: putting down other men to gain the favor, sexual and otherwise, of women.

[PatientZeroBeat]

04:06 PM on 06/23/2011

I choose die.

[Austro-libertarian]

04:51 PM on 06/24/2011

PLease, just develop a sense of humor.

[kimota]

03:31 PM on 06/23/2011

LOL! Weren't the guys in the orginal video the same ones who were banging drums and running around in the woods naked in the 90's trying to get back in touch with the masculine?