I was climbing with a friend of mine two or three weeks ago, and we were on the subject of women and their current role in society. I mentioned that I had read an article (I don't remember which one) a few years ago written by a well-known feminist that stated the the feminist movement didn't really bring equality but had caused worse objectification of women overall. My friend Taylor looked at me and said, "Well, yeah, of course. The problem with society is that how a woman is valued. In the 40's and 50's in this country, women held on to their sexuality as a commodity to get men to marry them because they (men) wanted to have sex. Women's value equaling how she could please a man. After the feminist movement, women were "more free" to give away their sexuality, still a commodity, but the only shift was not how she could please just one, but many men." Problem? Women's value still equals how she could please a man. Advertisements, music, and mainstream media have not only reinforced this behavior but perpetuate this idea as the social norm.
My radio is usually stuck on NPR, but every once in a while, I get tired of the news and scan around to see what is out there. This is part of the song I heard:
"Been around the world, don't speak the language But your booty don't need explaining All I really need to understand is when you .... Talk Dirty to Me" Jason Derulo
The tune is catchy, the hook is definitely a good one, in terms of getting stuck in your brain, but the dismissal of a woman's value is clearly evident. Basically- "Hey sexy booty, I don't care what you say or what your could say- as long as I like your booty I will treat you like you have value. You can fly on my private jet. I'll give you diamonds, etc But whatever you do, please don't talk. I don't understand you anyway."
The problem is it isn't just this song. It comes from a variety of places. The point is the value of women and the fight for equality, not superiority but equality. What women have to SAY has value. We should be equal in this world, but we will have to fight for it. It may mean you ask for a raise and better title because you deserve it, whereas your male counterparts receive both by simply doing a good job. It may mean you are lonely from time to time because the men you are dating would rather treat you like a pretty trophy or just not listen to you which is equally as damaging. We have to fight not only the external but the internal, too. We are worth it.
So here's my "provocative, dirty" talk....My dream is that one day things are 50/50. CEOs, world leaders, high level professors, and multi-millionaires are women and men. It would be a better society, a better world. After all, isn't that what we all want: A better world?
(I also wouldn't mind song's that degrade other humans not be allowed, not by censorship, but that the song wouldn't sell because society says, "No, we won't support this.")
Caveat: When you write something like this, there is always someone who wants to be a Debbie Downer or a Derrick Downer for that matter. I think men are also objectified. I don't think that is ok either, the difference is however, men seldom lose their voice even though objectified. I think women are sexual just like men. The problem isn't the sexuality, it's turning it into a person's worth that is the problem. This usually happens with women and not men. For example, a woman who has sex with a lot of men is called a slut. Men who have sex with a lot of women are called: Men.
A special thank you to Taylor Sastre Schrang, a great climbing buddy and conversationalist. A friend who is changing the world we live in. Check her out at http://www.sastrefitness.com/
