The Hypocrisy of the Media

Over at The F-Word they've linked to an article about Fergie's daughter Beatrice and, basically, how fat she is. She isn't. She's an awesome shape. All curves in the right places. But that, that's not the point. The point is how inarticulate my rage is making me right now as I find, on the same god damn site, this article.

In the Fergie and Beatrice article, they say:

Puberty can be a cruel thing, but there is a time when a young woman must take responsibility for her own thighs and accept that whatever genes you inherit, you can - and probably should - make changes to your lifestyle and diet in an effort to do something about it.

The next moment in the other article, they say:

These super-skinny legs are not attractive, or remotely sexy, but you can rest assured their owners always make sure their pins (and never has a word been so apt) are on display.

It is as if they were saying: "I deny myself every day to obtain legs like these. They prove how committed I am to fame, to being a fashion victim. I have starved and exercised my way to the top - and I am bloody well going to stay here."

I would elaborate, but I think it speaks for itself. Besides, I have to go and hit something. Hard. With a heavy blunt object. I am so, so angry at this. Sure, it's just The Daily Mail which is pure trash, but how are young women supposed to be confident with themselves when people are forcing girls to make themselves thin and simultaneously telling them that thin is bad?

This is a crazy world.

Bitches

There are certain terms in the English language which hold a lot of weight in the feminist sphere of thought, to the point that they are shunned or banned from certain communities or discussions. I'm sure there are plenty that I could focus on, but today I feel like taking a look at how I use the word bitch.

As I'm very much a linguist, the first thing I think about is the word itself. I love the sound of the word. Biting, plosive, satisfying. The etymology is quite interesting; it has been in use for around six hundred years in terms of an insulting term aimed at women. Wiktionary defines it as "a female who is malicious, spiteful, unbearable, intrusive, or obnoxious". So it covers a pretty wide range of characteristics, in general. It also mentions that, by extension, it can be used towards a man but is therefore insulting for its link with femininity - I shall come back to this later.

Yes, bitch has a horrible history. It dehumanises women, brings them to the level of the dog - not just that, but solely the female dog, which is perceived as snappy and unfriendly. This probably stems from the male view that women should be pleasant and nice for them, good and lady-like and never complain about what goes on. Just lie back and take it, dear. Today, I see and hear bitch used to describe basically any women who stand up for themselves and live their own lives without softening themselves for the men around. Powerful women, women who have their own confidence and space and don't strive to be agreeable for the pleasure and comfort of those around her. Which I think is excellent despite the negative connotations.

However, there are some usages that just turn my stomach. The insinuation that to be bitchy is to be a woman, that disagreeableness is a feminine trait - which to an extent it is, but only because men don't need to make themselves nice for people. Men can be just as spiteful as women - it's not a gender specific trait! It's about individual personalities rather than what genitals you're carrying between your legs. I use bitch to describe men as often as I use it to describe women, if not more; but at the moment I'm having to rethink as to whether this is an equality thing or, by feminising the men I insult, I'm being detrimental to the cause.

I suppose I'll just have to keep thinking about it.

I want a pink skirt event or something

I know it's tradition and all, but why is a formal event called 'black tie' when, in general, women don't wear ties at all? Way to focus on the men.

Sexism and Paedophilia is funny

I use StumbleUpon quite regularly when I'm looking to procrastinate. It comes up with some quality websites. However, whilst strolling around recently on it, I came across this webpage that seemed to endorse sexism and paedophilia.

Exhibit A:

















I know. It's awful. Let's belittle the whole issue by saying that only ugly 'bitches' (don't get me started on the usages of that word) care about it. Well, it's true to some extent, though I know there are many, many gorgeous feminists. A lot of 'hot' women are indoctrinated from an early age to believe they are there for the convenience and entertainment of men.

Speaking of early ages, that 'motivational' picture was followed directly by this, for which I have no words: