Apples Vs Oranges

I have a great bunch of students. They have been so receptive to the Raunch Culture theme in my composition classroom, and many have talked with me privately about learning a great deal and "changing the way they see pornography." But, even after all the headway and all the important conversations, some still don't get it. And, who can blame them. I don't think most people do get it.

We were discussing Pamela Paul's Pornified where she argues that "Those who defend pornographic images that denigrate women would be loath to defend Little Black Sambo books or Nazi artwork."

So, during our conversation, I had a student say that its "apples and oranges" to compare racist acts/words/images with sexist acts/words/images because one (racism) is meant to hurt a people and pornography is not.

Hmmmmmm....

Um, its no different.

Thankfully, we live in a society that deems racism inappropriate. We do not have cartoons or pictorials of lynchings and if they are out there, no one besides a bunch of Kluxers are defending them.

Again, a few students said, "well lynchings are about hurting blacks. They did not choose to be lynched." So, we come back to "women ask for it."

When people brought up how "articulate" Obama was during the primary season, many people were angry (as they should have been). How dare someone assume he would not be articulate. That is racist. Not that long ago, with the political cartoon that depicted the "washington elite" as a dumb monkey, many argued that the cartoonist was being racist, calling Obama an "ape." The issue was plaguing the airways for over a week. Countless talking heads pontificated about how "wrong it was" even though many could say the chimp stood for politicians in general.

The animosity over the blogger posting a picture of a White House with watermelons growing outside of it was fierce. Countless talk show hosts and comedians used their minutes to berate the "hatred" the blogger "must have held." People were astonished that the blogger could be so cruel, outdated, bigoted.

I am the first person to say there is no place for racism. But what appalls me is that nearly no one fusses when the contempt, loathing, and denigration is targeted at women.

I brought up another quote from Paul to my class. "Not only do pornographic images stretch the definition of 'speech' but, as disseminated in the marketplace, they have a similar demonstrable effect on women as a white person making a threatening and vulgar racial epithet toward a black man or woman, which courts have already ruled to be unprotected by the First Amendment."

So, I wish I had asked them this...

Why do we spend so much time and energy denouncing racially motivated "speech," but we do not spend one second decrying women being gagged, raped, and scoffed at? Watermelons on the White House lawn is not ok, but laughing at pornography and how cool it is to see Stacey crammed full of 3 different cocks at once... well, THAT is protected "speech?"

No. The reason one is protected by the first amendment and the other is not is that we are more sexist than we are racist. Most people grasp that the color of our skin does not dictate our value. We now understand that all humans are created equal; well, unless they have a vagina.

We live in a gendered constructed society. The more feminized woman, the more masculinized man.

We value that which is man, but not that which is female.

We allow pornography because we do not like women very much. We think it is ok to degrade and dehumanize them because "they let it happen." "They asked for it."

We think of all sorts of excuses to convince ourselves it is alright to use women like trash receptacles. To value them only as an object to "get off" on.

One student astutely said, "well, its all about money. People are not going to buy racist paraphernalia. Its all about capitalism."

He is right. Woman as commodity, making others a fortune.

Now that is rich... and proves my entire point.

Sorry it has been so long...

So... for those few who read me, I am sorry its been so long. I could complain for a paragraph here about why... but really.. its that often the task of writing about gender issues is either too painful or I am sick to death of thinking about it.

I am currently teaching "Our Raunch Culture" in my composition courses, and the theme,  has been a hit. Surprisingly, men have reacted favorably even more than the women. I have had so many guys say to me that they have totally re-thought their views on pornography and their role with it. There are no grand promises or "look at me, aren't I great" attitudes, but instead, I have had real, honest, complex conversations where men really seem to see the degradation to women, humanity--but just as importantly, to themselves--that porn causes. 

My gratitude is huge to such leaders in the anti-porn movement as Dr. Robert Jensen, Dr. Gail Dines, and Dr. Rebecca Whisnant for their powerful slideshow presentation: "Who Wants to be a Porn Star" and also Media Education Foundation's The Price of Pleasure documentary. Both harrowing visuals really moved students and reached them at a profound level.

Pamela Paul's Pornified has been invaluable at illustrating that porn is not really a "free speech" issue afterall. It is a relationship issue. Relationship with self, with others, with humanity.

The internet is vast, endless. The porn that occupies it saturates all corners. The only way out of the dark spot we find ourselves in is through an understanding of what we want for ourselves and others. We control what goes in and what comes out.

I'm tempted to say, "We Won," but that's not quite correct...

...I firmly believe that tonight, after years of painful division, America Finally Won.

Approaching The End

One last time...I have to say it...

This is the most important election of our lifetime...for all of us. We all have a stake in this.

In the past eight years, we have seen an explicit and unimaginably hurtful division of this country brought about by an unnecessary and disastrous "narrowing" of the Republican party (to borrow a very appropriate word used by Colin Powell). The middle class has been ignored and discriminated against. Only the wealthiest, most powerful Americans have been favored. Our economy is in its worst state since the 1930s. Our foreign policy has alienated us from the rest of the world. The damage done over the past eight years cannot easily be reversed.

We need a leader who understands how to guide this country out of this horrific state...not one who wants to continue down the same disastrous path.

Barack Obama is the right person to lead this country. It is just that simple.

I could continue on, trying to write something with rhetorical flourish, filled with powerful talking points, but I can't. I will level with all our readers...I am a wreck. My stomach is in knots. That's how important this is--to me, to the country.

I have fear. There is evidence that Republicans stole elections in the past. What if they do it again? Or what if the polls are off?

...Or, worse--what if this country just isn't ready for true, powerful change?

Lots of things to worry about. Lots of things to fear. But that's not what this election cycle has been about...not for Barack Obama and not for loyal Obama supporters like me.

This campaign has been exhausting. But it has also been amazingly powerful. A message of transformational hope and change swept over citizens in every corner of this country. It has been an amazing moment...and I hope this moment lasts for the next four years, and beyond.

And you...all of you who connect and communicate over this vast blogosphere, all of you who have discussed, jousted, and outright duked it out with me or K over this past 11 months...all of you who shared in the joy and the pain of this election...all of you faceless enigmas who we've never actually "met," but with whom we've become inextricably linked through this beautiful, agonizing experience....I cherish you all. Vigilante, that old curmudgeon, undeniably knowledgeable and unwaveringly confident in his own views...Mad Mike, the Big Dog, a kinder, gentler curmudgeon (if that's possible) whose dedication over the past several months has been unparalleled...Stella, ever the optimist, a true uniter amid a sea of dividers...The Wizard, always one to analyze issues from every angle (many times to a fault), even though he recently jumped off the Deep End...I even have to acknowledge Lee, who lives in the Deep End...and of course, Utah Savage, who started it all...

...you all hold a special place in my Blogging Heart.

To K: Our first election together! Let's hope the stars aligned for this one, just as they aligned to bring us together. I love you...I am so glad I have your hand to hold as we approach the end of this experience (and as we hopefully enter a New Era together).

So...I argued politics endlessly over the past year. Got in plenty of fights, but hopefully made as many friends as I have enemies. I'll be a nervous wreck for at least the next 24 hours, so in case I'm M.I.A. until the result is finally announced...much love to you all.

And one last time...

OBAMA '08!

A Very Sad Moment During a Very Hopeful Time

Just saw this one...with only one day left in this election...

Barack Obama's Grandmother has passed away.

I've read both Dreams from My Father and The Audacity of Hope. I know how imporant "Toot" was to this man. I will let the news story and, most importantly, the Obama statement, speak for themselves.

What a strange moment for this to happen. I will not even begin to turn this into a "what does this mean for the election" type of ridiculousness.

My only statement is this: I wish Barack Obama and his family comfort during this time.

Enough is Enough. If You Are a Pig, I'm Gonna Let You Have It!

By now, I should not have to provide the following preface comment, but I will anyway. Sarah Palin and I do not have one issue in common. Not a single, solitary issue between us in common. I do not support her, or her narrow, destructive  views for our nation. Barack Obama has my entire, complete support.

However, I am beyond sick and tired of the way she is being treated. If you have a beef with her stances on the issues, please debate and show her ideas/positions up as being false, selfish, uninformed, extreme, unrealistic, and destructive. This takes brainwork, but there is plenty of fodder by which to bring Sarah Palin down. What is not called for is reducing her to an object or sexual outlet. First of all, its too easy and second, its just plain "not right."

I expect many members of the Republican party to have sexist views, for them to talk, act, and vote in ways that suppress women or take away their liberties and freedoms. I expect that party to feel entitled to make chauvinistic derisive comments. Its who they are. They, too often, are filled with animosity, disdain, and resentment. Those feelings spill over onto "others."  What I was not quite expecting was for fellow democrats to take on the once conservative mantra of "at all costs" and "whatever it takes." I have been disheartened with each belittling, misogynist phrase uttered each week by Bill Maher on his HBO series Real Time. I was disheartened by the throngs of democrats who laughed along and added their own hateful diatribes. And now, I learn that some democrats are purchasing and proudly wearing shirts with words describing Sarah Palin in such "hate speech" ways. None of us would stand for shirts that reduced Obama in such racist ways, why would we buy or condone shirts with such anti-woman slogans?

I have two ways of thinking about this sexist travesty. First, if we want to call ourselves true democrats or progressives, we do not condone the wearing of shirts which demean, objectify, and dehumanize more than half our party. When you call a woman a "cunt,"  you really call all women "cunts." Just like most feminists do not believe you can be anti-choice and still be a true feminist, the same holds true for democrats. You cannot vilify one gender and still be a democrat/progressive.  If you want to make fun of, leer at, demean and degrade women, then coin a new party. Call yourselves "The Assholes," because you certainly do not belong in the party of humanism, the party of "we."

Now, the more cynical side of me wonders: Why was I so shocked? Come on, why be surprised? There is one fact, honest and true, that crosses party lines: Women are not valued in our culture unless they are selling "the man" what he wants. Sex. People are not so enraged by Palin because she is so far to the right of most in our party. No, what has so many men's goat, is that she is a woman. How dare she! How dare a woman think she can leap from male fantasies and be taken seriously? How dare women think they have a place anywhere but in men's masturbatory thoughts? Afterall, millions of women are spread across the web highway showing men what they really are, what they really want.  Men move from their computer terminal where every Tori, Daisy, and Holly is being stuffed full of cock. So, they walk to the television and see Sarah Palin. Who the fuck does she think she is?

She is just a hole. She should shut up, go back home, take care of her kids, or put back on that pageant sash. Right, guys? Is that it? And let's not forget the women who don such repulsive shirts thinking they are so "hip" and "cool." None of you are. You are destructive to our party and to women in general. I could get into a big long discussion about why women take part in the fellow destruction of women, but I will save that for another day. 

For now, enough is enough. If you act like a pig, you are a pig. With or without lipstick. 

Don't Let Joe Biden (or the media) Ruin This!!!!!

New Quinnipiac University polls show Obama making small but very significant gains in Florida, Pennsylvania, and my home state, Ohio. New CNN/Time polls show Obama gaining stronger leads in states like Virginia and Nevada. The Yahoo! News Electoral Map--based on averages of all national polls--shows Obama with 330 electoral votes if the election were held today. We have one debate win under our belt, and all the momentum on our side.

And it is with all that positivity in mind that I say to Joe Biden: Don't screw this one up, buddy!

Let's be clear: I love Joe Biden. Unlike some others, I was thrilled that this feisty, inspiring, beyond-knowledgeable veteran Senator was selected by Barack Obama as the Democratic VP candidate. The only stronger pick, in my estimation, would have been Hillary Clinton. I have gone on the record several times saying that Biden was a great pick, will be a great debater, and more importantly, a great Vice President.

But tomorrow's VP debate poses many challenges--and potential landmines are set to explode all over the place. Clearly, Biden knows what he is doing--he's been doing this kind of stuff for decades. And clearly, the Obama staffers are endlessly prepping the Senator from Delaware on precisely how to maneuver in this minefield. However, if there ever was a time for McCain-Palin to surge ahead, tomorrow is it. Obama handled the blustery curmudgeon McCain about as perfectly as one could at last Friday's debate. It is very likely, since the first debate is the most influential, that at worst Obama should be able to more than hold his own in the two remaining presidential debates, especially since the two remaining formats--Town Hall and Sit-Down Intimacy--favor Obama's style and strengths. And so barring a huge Obama gaffe--or a bizarro October Surprise--tomorrow night is the Republicans' best chance to reverse the tide.

And I believe Sarah Palin can do it--don't laugh, bastards...I mean it. She knows how to bullshit to such a degree that she supposedly performed well at several gubernatorial debates in 2006 Alaska. And she bullshitted her way into the hearts of many Republican extremists all over the country. It was an astonishing show. Of course, time, an increasingly catastrophic financial state in the United States, and an increasingly ridiculous string of Palin speaking misfires (to put it kindly) have set the Killa from Wasilla way, way back. But she can still work that bullshit magic, make no mistake.

What is Joe Biden's job? Plain and simple, be the Attack Dog--and set his sights on the top of the ticket. He needs to be forceful...but not jerky like McCain was on Friday. He needs to be knowledgeable...but not so dense that it goes over voters' heads. He needs to wipe the floor with Palin but do it with such a light touch that no one even notices until the damage is done. He can't be condescending, but he needs to make clear just how incompetent his opponent is. It's a tough task, but Joe Biden is more than up to it--so long as he keeps his head on his shoulders and doesn't vomit up some random gaffe like the couple he made a little over a week ago.

And like the wonderful spin doctors they are, members of the media will certainly do their part to tell us what happened and who won, just in case we can't figure it out for ourselves. The media's immediate reaction matters just as much as the performances of both candidates in deciphering which side gets a boost from this debate, and which side loses a little bit of ground. 

Joe Biden should win this thing going away...it's up to him to determine whether we continue riding this powerful wave of momentum or see our comfortable lead become uncomfortable once again. And the media should be fair in their appraisal of the debate...some of that is up to the candidates, and some of it isn't...but they can influence public opinion, and could reverse the momentum just to keep this thing close to the end.

So which Sarah Palin will appear on national television tomorrow night? And how will Joe Biden handle himself? And how will the media portray all of the above?

We'll find out tomorrow...same bat-shit time as last Friday's debate, and any bat-shit channel you can think of.