Matthew Detroit wrote in a recent diary:
(http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/6/9/112821/3626)
"It's hard to believe that males/people here could consider themselves progressives and not understand the simple equation that accompanies advertising of this kind--on a site where we presumably want men and women to engage in political discourse on terms of equality CALLING ATTENTION TO BREASTS AND BUTTOCKS IS UNACCEPTABLE."
What so many self-proclaimed feminists like Matthew are missing in these issues is that "sex" and and what's called "sexism" are not necessarily related. In fact, they're not really related at all.
The true scourge, what we need to be up in arms about, would be more properly called "genderism". Say, for example, Daily Kos ran an ad for something like this:
http://www.christianwomentoday.com/
or this:
http://www.handmaiden.org/
or this:
http://www.avirtuouswoman.org/
THAT would be obscene, and against all progressive principles, in my book.
You want to hear what I call sexist pornography? Look at the list from the above website, "A Virtuous Woman". Here's some excerpts:
"Marriage - A Virtuous Woman respects her husband. She does him good all the days of her life. She is trustworthy and a helpmeet. (Proverbs 31: 11- 12, Proverbs 31: 23, Proverbs 31: 28, 1 Peter 3, Ephesians 5, Genesis2: 18)"
"Finances - A Virtuous Woman seeks her husband's approval before making purchases and spends money wisely. She is careful to purchase quality items which her family needs. (Proverbs 31: 14, Proverbs 31: 16, Proverbs 31: 18, 1 Timothy 6: 10, Ephesians 5: 23, Deuteronomy 14: 22, Numbers 18: 26)"
"Homemaking - A Virtuous Woman is a homemaker. She creates an inviting atmosphere of warmth and love for her family and guests. She uses hospitality to minister to those around her. (Proverbs 31: 15, Proverbs 31: 20 - 22, Proverbs 31: 27, Titus 2: 5, 1 Peter 4: 9, Hebrews 13: 2)"
Does that shit set your teeth on edge or what?
THAT is real sexism, ladies and gentlemen. It has NOTHING to do with boobs, asses, pie fights, or anything pertaining to actual sexuality.
Here's a clue: when progressive women find themselves in agreement with ANYTHING the right-wing Xtian faction offers up, it's time for some serious soul-searching. If the Fundies hate "pornography" so much, that's nothing but a positive recommendation for me. Bring on the boobs and asses! (And the cute cabana boy beefcakes in tight speedos, for those inclined to the other side...)
Why do Fundies hate "sexually explicit" materials so much? Because, beneath the superficial fantasy aspects, they KNOW it is in reality demonstrating women EMPOWERED. Empowered to drive uptight anal retentive Xtian bigots crazy. I don't understand how so many intelligent feminists can miss this point. Women (or men, for that matter) openly displaying their sexuality, even when it's co-opted to sell stupid TV shows, is a stake driven in the heart of religious fundamentalism.
If we declare silly displays of sexuality like that video as "anti-progressive", it's the first step down the sliipery slope to putting women in brukhas and giving newborn girls clitorectomies. It's the SAME MIND SET. Muslim Fundies declare that by swathing women in black cloth head-to-toe and amputating their sexual organs, they are showing their RESPECT for women! Yeah, right. And they must do this to keep the evil sexual power of women in check, lest it destroy their God's earthy kingdom of Pious Men.
Take something like that pie-fight video. Why would the Greyfaces of Xtianity hate it? Because if their Fundie men see it, they might want to get off their bended-knees-to-the-Lord and go have some FUN. Heavens forfend! They might start thinking, "hey, I'd betcha having a rollicking roll in the hay with a good looking woman is more fun than going to another "prayer warrior" meeting to wheedle God into giving liberal Supreme Court justices heart attacks!" When that happens, the Fundies are in big trouble.
Enjoyment of anything except subservience to their jealous God is automatically eeeeevil. If we're going to bring them down, one thing we can do is make their misguided followers to want to have some FUN. Uptight Xtian Fundies are scared to death of sexuality. The more we hit them with it, in ways that do no one any real harm, the better.
Calling attention to breasts and buttocks is not "unacceptable" -- it's one of the most effective weapons we could use to drive the Fundies insane. I fail to see a downside to driving the Fundies insane.
From reading some of the posts on this subject here, I believe some people need to hie to the next Burning Man, or the nearest fetish nightclub, and ask the women wearing the studded black leather corsets, knee-high stilleto boots and a cat-o-nine tails hanging from their hips if they feel empowered or not.