Gender Divides

Interesting, I think, that no one has left a comment on this issue yet.  I feel in many ways, the perspective that is laid out here is essentially right.  There are divides and bigotry in this country that are still very prevalent and which are based on race and culture, so it is no surprise that a woman’s place in our society, as of course a gender instead of a race, is still a subservient one as well.
    If there is anyone that will leave comments on this, I would like to start the discussion by asking that if in some ways, the surface nod of pop culture in particular to the past debasements of “minorities”(I say this sarcastically because as we all know, the dominant paradigm of our society is by and large the minority), and to equally surface ideas of equality and brother and sister-hood, is not a large part to blame.  It is nice to say these things, and they make the speaker feel, though unqualified, that everything is very good and getting better.  Perhaps, though tensions, racism, misogyny, et al are only becoming worse because they have become something we don’t speak about openly or in polite company, except in those made-to-order surface replies, and in societies as well is in nature, wounds that are hastily closed up and ignored, or that we pretend are better, often fester and become greater problems.  The health of the organism in question also becomes a dire matter with the infection, and I wonder if this also applies to the metaphorical sense we are speaking in.
    We live in a land soiled by the blood of the people we stole it from.  Its infrastructure is built upon slavery.  We have brought many changes around the world with the sword, and I think it is appropriate here, though not always in all contexts, to attach a masculine imagery to that sword as it fits this subject.  The real questions are, I think, why is masculinity bad?  Why can it not coexist as it has done sometimes successfully in other cultures throughout history, with feminity?  Are we caught up within the women’s affairs debate with the idea, which we also apply to a great many other things in our society and culture, that one side must always prevail and eclipse the other? That question cuts both ways.  What brought us to the point where we stand now with women today?  Are not there many women who decry their portrayal and treatment that nevertheless , often unwittingly perhaps, engage in activities and points of view that they are socialized into that perpetuate their unequality?
    How much of this is contained within a concept of physical sexual relations that we all hold to some degree?  Most importantly, even though I have many more questions, what exactly can be done about it?  I would think that the preconceptions of our society that lead to how women are treated are aspects that are far broader, and affect many other ways in which we think and act, both on the personal and world stages.  How much is too much to change without pulling down the very structure and starting over again, like a forest fire that brings about new growth?  In that context, is the seeming worse treatment of women, in pop culture especially, sense it is a sort of mass discourse, just one more sign that the ship is sinking and that many are poking holes in the boat and calling it Right?  all right, so there it is…

Comment by FellRider from New Paltz — March 14, 2007 @ 10:52 am

I think the idea that the media singles out women for scorn is getting retro. For one thing, that “scorn” has helped the women you mention market themselves into being mega-rich. Also, these women court the spotlight and often instigate the attention.

And while the comparisons you make are valid, they are most valid because the public now seems to expect bad behavior of men. It was not always this way. The very fact that men are expected to be drug addicts and irresponsible speaks volumes—and may explain why men outnumber women BY FAR in prisons and women now outnumber men by far in colleges. If things are this bad for women, why are they outpacing men in everything from lifespan to homebuying to college (and PhD.) graduation rates?

Also some of the comparisons are not valid. Keith Richards made his name with a group that shocked from the outset, so his drug problem came as little surprise. Whitney Houston made her name as a vocal virtuoso in a pop context who made the National Anthem a hit. Thus, her drug problem was a surprise to many. Also, a few weeks before Chris Farley died, Entertainment magazine did a feature pretty much marking him for death; you seem to be picking and choosing quotes here.

The new concerns regarding the media is why all white guys are portrayed as stupid. The “doofus dad” has become a mainstay of TV commercials and sitcoms. The left is still fighting battles from the 1970s and this article is an example.

There are many injustices to women; I don’t think this article presents a good case for them, though.

Comment by Dennis B from USA — March 15, 2007 @ 9:39 pm

You also left out the treatment of Paris Hilton’s video sexcapades vs. Colin Farrel’s.  I think Paris’ entire career depends on the misogyny of the press, that she’s the person who’s “okay” to call a slut and skank.

Comment by Casey from NY — March 21, 2007 @ 9:12 am

Just an additional comment to the author of the original piece.  I would have to stand by my earlier comments, which were initially I think more questions than answers, as more of the latter than the former.  I commend you for bringing up an important issue, but after a few weeks, it does not seem that it is an issue that many are going to pay attention to.  I would assert that this is in a large part because of what I already outlined, and also added to that, the apparent phenomenon that this is an “old” issue, a “tired” issue, that has seen its 15 minutes of fame as it were, and now is ignored.  I would have to say, not just because of a discussion board on popmatters, although it works well enough in a very limited context, that the things you bring up are not likely to get better.  People are too interested in finding homophobia and sexual imagery in a basically literary adaptive, historical movie like 300, which has recieved 29 comments so far, than in actually talking about the real issue in front of them.  I don’t know, I also don’t want to put an end all answer on this, because I don’t think I’m fit, and would further believe that no one person is, but it paints a pretty grim picture.

Comment by FellRider from New Paltz, NY — April 6, 2007 @ 7:05 am

In the context of the amusing reaction that was recieved by my off-handed comments to two of Michael Abernathy’s “...Queer” columns, I feel that it is the correct ironic thing to do to leave a comment here, where it will appear to be out of context to many who do not reason as perhaps they should, but is in fact the best place for it.  Einstein’s Theory of relativity is essentially correct I believe, if added to the discourse of Plato’s Parmenides…Here’s the proof, we have an author of a column writing about an undervalued yet extremely oppressed people(women), yet this thread of discussion was not only barely recieved, while I would assert making a better argument than Abernathy’s, but is in effect dead to further discussion.  Interesting, and interesting to me that once more a forum which would ostensibly seem to be a useful forum for issues of collective and general interest is again revealed to be the lair of those who pander to themselves, and do not like to examine themselves closely, to think about the interrelation of all issues, no matter how disparate they may upon less sharp examination seem, and cannot form a cohesive argument to perspectives that they disagree with, owing in a large part to the first two reasons.  The time has come for me to abandon this particular medium, with which I have had an interesting time in my off-hours, as I return to work with my own, more intensive, writing.  Yet I feel that it is a sad state that I see everywhere, and it becomes more apparent as I approach the halfway point of my life that communication, with much irony, has not been benefitted by the recent and rapid introduction of technology that is said to bring all closer together.  If anything, I would postulate that it has only revealed in its ease the tremendous gaps that are existent in the overall ability for dicourse, argument and positive seeking for the truth.  Well, why not?  As I look out of my hotel room right now, that would seem to make much more sense than anything else.  A week ago, I saw people in my own hometown holding up signs of protest, featuring slogans that seemed upon reflection to carry no real meaning whatsoever.  It seemed moreover that those holding them were as narrowly committed to their own perspectives as those that they protested against.  Yet here in Baghdad, a different reality unfolds, and if it is not one which leaves one feeling good about oneself and confident in their opinions above their quest for knowledge above opinion, then it is at least Spectacular…Okay, so ignore everything that I have written anywhere here recently.  One can only change one’s own mind, and it is frutiful, if dangerous road…

Comment by Fell Rider from Baghdad, Iraq — April 24, 2007 @ 6:56 am