Why don't we talk about internalized sexism anymore?
Yesterday, I had a fairly typical encounter with a Gen X woman. She told me she was going to a naked sushi party. When I didn't respond with enthusiasm, she asked why, and I under-stated and said "That's kind of sexist." "Oh, it is sexist," she said, "but that doesn't bother me."
The circumstancnes didn't permit me to say anthing else, so I didn't. But I find this type of situation very common. And I know the arguments in favor of it: "The woman has a right to do what she likes with her own body." "We have bigger fish (so to speak) to fry." "Talking about something this trivial undermines our important work as feminists."
No, no, no. There is no more important feminist work than taking back our bodies to be our own, and not objects to be used as plates by leering sushi customers. Yes, the women who serve as naked human plates do so of their own free will, and that is called internalized sexism.
If an African American man said he liked wearing the uniform, running the elevator, and tipping his hat at the white men in business suits, the black community would discuss internalized racism. If a lesbian says her relationships are doomed because homosexuals cannot have stable relationships, the gay community would discuss internalized homophobia. But where are the women discussing internalized sexism?
Third Wave, here's a suggestion for you: Maybe it's time to rev up the old consciousness-raising groups again. Past time.
The circumstancnes didn't permit me to say anthing else, so I didn't. But I find this type of situation very common. And I know the arguments in favor of it: "The woman has a right to do what she likes with her own body." "We have bigger fish (so to speak) to fry." "Talking about something this trivial undermines our important work as feminists."
No, no, no. There is no more important feminist work than taking back our bodies to be our own, and not objects to be used as plates by leering sushi customers. Yes, the women who serve as naked human plates do so of their own free will, and that is called internalized sexism.
If an African American man said he liked wearing the uniform, running the elevator, and tipping his hat at the white men in business suits, the black community would discuss internalized racism. If a lesbian says her relationships are doomed because homosexuals cannot have stable relationships, the gay community would discuss internalized homophobia. But where are the women discussing internalized sexism?
Third Wave, here's a suggestion for you: Maybe it's time to rev up the old consciousness-raising groups again. Past time.
posted by Diane at 11:24 AM
7 comments
7 Comments:
YES! YES! YES! YES! YES!
Dammit, people have got to get smart on this point. I just don't want to think about how well the anti-feminist forces have played their hand.
It's all a willing T & A wannabe porn star ($#@*!) show for women now (again) w/ no thought for objectification, and this coupled with a seemingly assertive sexuality (though passive, to me, in its eagerness to please and perform -- we're back to being bunnies?? WTF?!) that calls for girls/women to be all "take charge" by sucking some guy's d***. Sorry to be crass, it just breaks my heart. Damn. It. All. To. Hell.
Anyhoo, right on, DED. Thank you for saying this.
By
Anonymous, at
9:30 PM
Maybe I just don't fully grasp the situation, having never attended a naked sushi party, but it seems like you've begged the question. How did you rule out the possibility of internalized anti-sex dogma on your part?
By
Anonymous, at
9:36 PM
Not sure if you're addressing ae, me, or both, but I'll answer: The only way a person could--by the farthest stretch of the imagination--have such a thing as an "internalized anti-sex dogma" (and it really couldnt' be dogma if it were internalized) would be if that person were part of a group whose identity existed only to promote and maintain sex, and that group would have to have major biological, political, and social implications, and would have to be discriminated against by most of its culture.
So, maybe--maybe--a porn star living in a community of porn stars oppressed by the outside culture could have internalized anti-sex feelings.
By
Diane, at
10:01 PM
Um, so you used the word "internalized" in some technical sense? I meant "internal". The sort of feelings one gets from living in a culture that manifestly hates sex. In particular, our culture views all female sexuality as dirty.
By
Anonymous, at
10:14 PM
(And therefore it views anything like sex work as sinful, even while forcing women into it.)
By
Anonymous, at
10:37 PM
Yes, I see what you're saying. And yes, I'm using the word "internalized" in the cultural sense, referring to the bigotry one unconsciously holds.
I don't think this is about hating sex, but you've brought up a good issue. The religious right constantly objects to things that demean women, but not because they care about women, but because they hate sex. If men want to be naked sushi plates, I say bring it on (that's what happened in Seattle after women protested). But if it is only women who do it for the gratification of men, then those women are contributing to a culture that teaches men it is okay to leer at, speak rudely to, and sexually touch women without their permission.
The practice began in Japan, where women are given very little respect by men.
By
Diane, at
11:08 PM
Hey, I totally agree that we need to fire up the old consciousness raising groups. A lot of feminist activists (usually the university educated ones) seem to be in denial about just how sucessful the backlash has been and the fact that very few young women have had any access to feminist thought and need to start from scratch.
I think we all have some internalised sexism, but hopefully as feminists we can learn to be aware and resist it's effects.
By
Winter, at
3:42 PM
Post a Comment
<< Home