A Crash Course in Feminism Mk. II (or, why everyone should be a feminist)

[Psychosplodge]

[url]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22706896[/url]

It could be worse. This could be how TV is run in this country....

Was just about to post that.
It's hardly TV, and it'd be pretty crappy porn...

[Denzark]

Does it solely reinforce that perception though? If all the programmes were about naked women, then maybe. But one show, where a participant goes on to say how empowered she feels? Do we think we should try and convert an individual who feels empowered, to a feminist view that it is a negative? What is it called when a majority forces its view on a minority? Feminists want conformity to the detriment of individual freedom?

[Psychosplodge]

Well there is that.
But then again I'd say Jeremy Kyle is hardly TV either...

[Mr Mystery]

Ultimately, the aim of feminism is to end feminism, by getting us to the point where it's just not needed anymore!

[DrLove42]

The best thing to come out that article is the news that Italy has cancelled at Reality TV. Should go live there....

[Denzark]

Feminism is like most 'isms' - it comes in many shapes and sizes and even if EG, as the academic she professes to be, has quoted the 'most accepted' academic sources in her references, I am sure there is another brand of more militant femmes who would state that their aims are far different and brand the authors of said references, as traitors to the cause.

Who is to say what is right and wrong? I tend to find most issues in the world would be nugatory if people treated each other with the bare modicum of manners - not even debrettes but just well mannered. I remember a comment from the original DeathWing short story - something along the lines of how the Plains People were naturally polite as if you weren't, you may find a stone axe buried in your head.

[Marshal2Crusaders]

Feminism is like most 'isms' - it comes in many shapes and sizes and even if EG, as the academic she professes to be, has quoted the 'most accepted' academic sources in her references, I am sure there is another brand of more militant femmes who would state that their aims are far different and brand the authors of said references, as traitors to the cause.

Who is to say what is right and wrong? I tend to find most issues in the world would be nugatory if people treated each other with the bare modicum of manners - not even debrettes but just well mannered. I remember a comment from the original DeathWing short story - something along the lines of how the Plains People were naturally polite as if you weren't, you may find a stone axe buried in your head.

This man, is right on the money.

[eldargal]

Does it solely reinforce that perception though? If all the programmes were about naked women, then maybe. But one show, where a participant goes on to say how empowered she feels? Do we think we should try and convert an individual who feels empowered, to a feminist view that it is a negative? What is it called when a majority forces its view on a minority? Feminists want conformity to the detriment of individual freedom?

In a culture where women are already viewed as objects to be critiqued by men, yes, one show is a problem. Pornography at least is honest, this is insidious precisely because it has artistic pretensions when all it is is a bunch of sleazy men ogling women and critiquing their bodies. It wouldn't be quite so noxious if there were some women doing the judging but if anything it is the attitudes expressed by the men behind the show that are the truly offensive thing. to argue that mens opinions about women are repressed is absurd, we live in a culture where they are paramount and given precedence above womens own opinions. We aren't given a choice, our appearance is scrutinised every time we leave our homes. This show just reinforces the perception that it is acceptable and normal, even if some of the women do feel empowered. They could probably get that same feeling and earn more posing for an art class or posing for softcore erotica.

Feminism is like most 'isms' - it comes in many shapes and sizes and even if EG, as the academic she professes to be, has quoted the 'most accepted' academic sources in her references, I am sure there is another brand of more militant femmes who would state that their aims are far different and brand the authors of said references, as traitors to the cause.

Who is to say what is right and wrong? I tend to find most issues in the world would be nugatory if people treated each other with the bare modicum of manners - not even debrettes but just well mannered. I remember a comment from the original DeathWing short story - something along the lines of how the Plains People were naturally polite as if you weren't, you may find a stone axe buried in your head.

Feminism is diverse and many branches disagree with others. There are certainly militant feminists that are quite misandrist and to be frank they are a detriment. But the fact remains that all feminism wants is the truly equal treatment of women in society and to end gender based discrimination.
The problem is that men tend to treat each other with the bare modicum of manners and view women as some kind of automata that they are free to judge and abuse at their discretion.
Most problems would disappear if people treated each other with the bare modicum of respect, but they don't, so it is a moot point. Feminism is about ensuring that the lack of respect and discrimination against women ends, that's all. The media loves to focus on the few marginal misandrist and make out that they represent mainstream feminism because the media is male dominated and is threatened by feminism. This is one of the reasons I started these crash course threads, to try and educate people here on BoLS about feminism and why it is important and why it is NOT just man-hate.

[Mr Mystery]

And in [url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markkermode/posts/Star-Trek-A-Sorry-Business]other news[/url] Director of Into Darkness to apologise for gratuitous shot of leading lady in her scuddies.

Shame he's not apologising for making such a rubbish film

But yes. Said shot was entirely gratuitous. Was there need for her to change clothing? Yeah, ok I'll give them that one. Was there any need for us the audience to see the inbetween? Nope. Kirk, yes as it's part of his character. But the audience? Just gave us cheapies.

[eldargal]

That scene was bizarre. There are plenty of gratuitous female flesh scenes in film but I can't think of one more out of place and gratuitous.

Related to Star Trek again:

I went to Comicpalooza this weekend and I was full of nervous energy as I was standing in line to ask Sir Patrick Stewart a question at his panel. I first had to thank him for a speech he had given at amnesty international about domestic violence towards women . I had only seen it a few months ago but I was still dealing with my own personal experience with a similar issue, and I didn’t know what to call it. After seeing Patrick talk so personally about it I finally was able to correctly call it abuse, in my case sexual abuse that was going to quickly turn into physical abuse as well. I didn’t feel guilty or disgusting anymore. I finally didn’t feel responsible for the abuse that was put upon me. I was finally able to start my healing process and to put that part of my life behind me.

After thanking him I asked him “Besides acting, what are you most proud of that you have done in you life (that you are willing to share with us)?”. Sir Patrick told us about how he couldn’t protect his mother from abuse in his household growing up and so in her name works with an organization called Refuge for safe houses for women and children to escape from abusive house holds. Sir Patrick Stewart learned only last year that his father had actually been suffering from PTSD after he returned from the military and was never properly treated. In his father’s name he works with an organization called Combat Stress to help those soldiers who are suffering from PTSD.

They were about to move onto the next question when Sir Patrick looked at me and asked me “My Dear, are you okay?” I said yes, and that I was finally able to move on from that part of my life. He then passionately said that it is never the woman’s fault in domestic violence, and how wrong to think that it ever is. That it is in the power of men to stop violence towards women. The moderator then asked “Do you want a hug?”

Sir Patrick didn’t even hesitate, he smiled, hopped off the stage and came over to embrace me in a hug. Which he held me there for a long while. He told me “You never have to go through that again, you’re safe now.” I couldn’t stop thanking him. His embrace was so warm and genuine. It was two people, two strangers, supporting and giving love. And when we pulled away he looked strait in my eyes, like he was promising that. He told me to take care. And I will.

Sir Patrick Stewart is an absolute roll model for men. He is an amazing man and was so kind and full of heart. I want to let everyone know to please find help if you are in a violent or abusive house hold or relationship. There are organizations and people ready to help. I had countless people after the panel thanking me for sharing the story and asking him those questions. Many said they went through similar things. You are not alone.

[URL="http://lemonsweetie.tumblr.com/post/51652237280/let-me-tell-you-a-thing-about-an-amazing-man"]From here[/URL] via Lipstick Femininsts tumblr