Comments on: Women’s Bodies Are Not Political Currency

By: Mackey

Mackey — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:01:53 +0000

This idea about using sex to sell politics occurred recently in Australia, where one Young Liberal (the Liberals in Australia are the conservatives) on his blog had suggestive Young Liberal women wearing not much and promoting them as the reason why men should join the Liberal Party. (There was a particularly grotesque shot of one women salivating over Ayn Rand whilst wearing a bikini.)

By: Intransigentia

Intransigentia — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:31:02 +0000

What Kristine said.

Also, what I said on my facebook page: oops, I’m wearing Redwings cuz it’s too cold for Birks. And I would really like a tweed skirt. If I didn’t have better things to do, I’d drive to Calgary, find this guy’s house, and march around his block in my bare hairy legs, while eating delicious tofu snacks and singing kd lang songs.

By: Kristine

Kristine — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:23:04 +0000

One of the reasons I’m so thankful I left Calgary is that I am no longer beseiged with bullshit like that everyday in the newspapers. What Robinson says isn’t complimentary to any woman; I think if I was a Conservative I would be even more pissed off than I am right now.

“A right-wing woman wants to get elected, she runs for office… If she loses … well, there’s always more shoe shopping.”

Is this seriously what he thinks of female, right-wing politicians? I am officially offended on their behalf.

By: mischiefmanager

mischiefmanager — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:00:07 +0000

But Robinson, what about the Log Cabin Republicans and all the closeted right-wing legislators? We don’t want to leave them out, do we?

This piece made me remember that the rank sexism of the ’60 left radical movements was in part what sparked whichever wave of feminism came out of that era. SDS and its ilk were infamous for passing women around like joints, forcing them into subservient roles like cooking and fetching, and barring them from any decision-making power. Sadly, it’s not just the right, although we have made a lot of progress in this.

And you know what? If right-wing women are happy being treated like blow-up dolls, they deserve what they get.

Finally: Sarah McLaughlin? Please. How about Lady Gaga?

By: bluebears

bluebears — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:28:52 +0000

agreed sarah. I hate it when people fall into that trap and start either naming attractive liberal women or UNattractive conservative women. It’s like just stop. period.

By: yvanehtnioj

yvanehtnioj — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:48:08 +0000

JennyK: That’s what I like about the Berlusconi example, it gives me a quick-and-easy anecdote to illustrate why that reaction is unhelpful. I know way too many women that are patriarchy-supporters in that way, especially in policing other women’s bodies, outfits, hair, makeup, etc. Like if we’d just be prettier, men would pay attention and our points would be taken seriously. No, it’s a losing game, see: Berlusconi. Not pretty enough? Your party sucks. Too pretty? You must be stupid.

By: Spark

Spark — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:11:20 +0000

“Hottest governor, coldest state.” And now I must go douse the Palin-rage before it burns up your comment thread.

By: llevinso

llevinso — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:38:57 +0000

That Italian prime minister has done nothing but PISS ME OFF every time I hear about him. What a sexist jackass.

But did you hear the awesome response Rosy Bindy had for that asshole? “I’m not a woman at your disposal.” It became a rallying cry for many feminists in Italy and has been printed on signs and t-shirts. I think that’s pretty awesome.

By: miktacular

miktacular — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:11:50 +0000

Ugh, at least when I was in University I was shielded from conservative yahoos like Robinson. Now that I’ve lost my liberal arts bubble, being out in the “real” world in the same province as that ahole is really starting to get to me.

By: JennyK/Benevolent_Dictatrix

JennyK/Benevolent_Dictatrix — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:07:22 +0000

Not even feminism is immune from using women’s bodies to further a point. I see a pattern that goes like this: MRA-type Critic: Feminists are gross and hairy and wear birkinstocks and no make-up. Feminists: No we aren’t! Look, I shave my legs and wear make-up, and I have 3-inch stillettos on right now! When some women are so eager to prove that they go against the stereotype, they end up creating pressure for other women to do the same. If I don’t wear makeup or shave my legs am I damaging feminism by cleaving to the sterotypes and giving the attackers more ammo? Sometimes it can feel like it.