Killing Us Softly 3: Advertising's View of Women

[neversremedy8]

Killing Us Softly 3, a video that everyone should watch.

I was just talking about this with Craig a few days ago in the car, about my concerns for the way our culture devalues women and the qualities we define as feminine. I'm working in an office where the owner and his brother both joke constantly, and often their jokes are derogatory to anything displayed as feminine among other men. I've questioned it before in other ways, but rarely head on: Why is being, becoming, or being seen as female/feminine lesser or worse than being male/masculine? My gay co-worker shared his story of being a part of his college's circus back in Florida. That didn't phase anyone at the office, but the two brothers made comments--albeit lightheartedly--when the same co-worker said he wore red tights for his performances. Now he'll "never live it down." I honestly don't think they know he's gay, even though it's obvious to me, he's not a swish, so it's unlikely they'd see it. He just is. These two men are not bigots in the normal sense; they aren't likely to ostracize or berate him for being homosexual, but their jokes reflect the image that effeminate behavior is threatening. As though to be a man and have so-called feminine qualities is a form of weakness. Yet the truth is just the opposite. To be compassionate, to nurture, to smile in the face of danger or adversity ... these all take enormous strength of character. Far more than physical threats, posturing, or violence ever could. And why are violent acts seen as masculine? Ugh. Neither gender has it easy in this culture, but there are greater dangers for women, people of color, and homosexuals than there are for straight men. The video above shows a small portion of these displays of power and definitions of what power is better than I could share. Ah, synchronicity ... it creeps into my life in strange ways.

Comments

[alicemeichi.livejournal.com]

It's worse when you deal with pseudo-intellectuals who quote from Nietszche and Francis Bacon about how to become the "Ubermensch" (super-man), then you must rid yourself of all the weak qualities.. And of course, "weak" means "feminine".

[gothkittyn.livejournal.com]

but their jokes reflect the image that effeminate behavior is threatening. As though to be a man and have so-called feminine qualities is a form of weakness. Yet the truth is just the opposite. To be compassionate, to nurture, to smile in the face of danger or adversity ... these all take enormous strength of character.

Not sure why, maybe it is just because I have an emotional night, but that quote made me cry.

[neversremedy.livejournal.com]

*big hugs*

[gentlemaitresse.livejournal.com]

Often, it can be just as bad to be seen as a masculine woman.

I think people like to know what to expect, and they want others to act according to those expectations. It gives us a feeling of security or something, I guess.

[neversremedy.livejournal.com]

But in our culture it's understandable to want to be masculine or be a man. It's when men want to take on "female" qualities that they are seen as week and often are attacked. Homosexuals, effeminate straight men, m-to-f transsexuals ... they all run up against far more battering and danger than a woman who takes on masculine qualities. She will be challenged because they want to "put her in her place," but it's even more horrific for some straight men to see other men taking on roles or qualities they see as female and thus weak.