Friday was my first encounter with "Take Back the Night" with a great and willing friend. It was a wonderful experience. The introduction by the coordinator for the sexual assault center hit my frustration with this city on the head.
First sucky development - a radio station's "Win a Russian Bride Bride" contest. While the concept for this show is clearly sexist, horrible, degrading and idiotic, their supposed change in name was almost more insulting. In response to the criticism, the Bear issued a blurp that changed the name to 'Win a Russian Romance.' In this blurp, the irreverence for women in Russia and commodification of women's bodies was appalling. This is essentially sex trafficking. What else would the 'lucky' winner go for. Some may say that I don't have much faith in men - but who are we kidding - who signs up for this type of contest. Either you are ignorant of the implications of your actions or you don't care.
Second sucky development - a campaign by local salon glamourizing sexual violence to sell their product. Since sexual violence is endemic, the campaign is appalling. It was funny the hear the response (as known as the lack of apology) of donating proceeds to local women's shelters if the customer mentioned the horrific violence campaign. This was done in response to the call to girl(boy)cott the salon, because economic activity must go on...
Third sucky development - urinals shaped like women's lips. They claim its a parody. I say its disgusting. Talk about a culture that over-sexualizes women. And this can't even be covered over by the discourse of sexual empowerment.
To add to the coordinator's list, this one is also particularly frustrating.
The revival of revile tv shows like Charlie's Angels and Pan Am and that stupid Bunny show. Great role models for girls. Sexualized (sexual objects) women in sexist roles without power outside their sexual prowess is terrifying.
While Take Back the Night was wonderful experience of community, it was also a hard reminder of the terrible cultural norms that seem to go relatively unchallenged.
Maybe that will change. Maybe it will become mainstream to challenge and subvert sexism. Hopefully.
No comments:
Post a Comment