From PETA to sci-fi
by Jess McCabe // 6 April 2008, 13:31
PETA is a prime example of a charity that feels like it's OK be as sexist as it wants in promoting its cause. But, as this piece in the Guardian by Julie Bindel shows, this tactic is becoming ever more popular.
I think this is one of the most horrendous examples she describes:
Glamour magazine featured another former Spice Girl, Mel B, posing naked in support of the Helen Bamber Foundation, which works with victims of sex trafficking and torture. One leading anti-trafficking campaigner, who asked not to be named, refers to Mel B's campaign as "get your tits out for trafficking"
Quench Zine runs a guest column about the stupid conversations that people want to engage in about the writer's disabled partner:
Your implication that the worst tragedy in the world would be for someone to exist that has a quality in common with a person I love is hurtful and offensive.
Resist Racism considers a common trap for white anti-racists.
And, finally, Allecto has posted another installment of her dissection of Joss Whedon's show Firefly.
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Qubit // Posted 06 April 2008 at 17:54
I saw that article in Glamour magazine and have to admit I found it incredibly offensive. To suggest that these women posing naked in anyway helps prevent trafficking is weird and the implication in the text that they were suffering some of the same indignity as these trafficked women seemed to me to be an incredibly offensive to those genuinely suffering.
Nicola // Posted 06 April 2008 at 19:03
Uggh I hate PETA. And that's coming from a vegan... I dread to think what omnivores think of it.
allecto // Posted 07 April 2008 at 12:58
Um. Just curious, but are you linking to my Joss Whedon post because you are interested in what I have to say? Or for some other reason. Sorry, for asking. I have just been slammed all over the internet for the last Firefly post I made and I just want to be clear.
Jess McCabe // Posted 07 April 2008 at 14:14
No, I was linking in good faith!!! Sorry to hear what happened with the earlier analysis; I saw it got picked up on a Whedon blog and thought as much might happen. I don't completely agree, but definitely very thought provoking. Especially the stuff about Zoe's reaction to the situation in this episode. Looking forward to the next installment.
Stephie // Posted 07 April 2008 at 15:07
I saw that article in Glamour too. I found it incredibly insulting not only to those who have been trafficked but to women in general too. It's a bit of a stretch to even contemplate that women who have been in 'hair and make-up' for five hours and styled to look 'pretty' can have any bearing on highlighting the issues surrounding trafficking.
I was going to blog about it but I was too ashamed to admit that I even knew what Glamour magazine was, let alone opened its cover.
allecto // Posted 08 April 2008 at 03:22
Thanks Jess. I thought it was in good faith but was just a bit unsure. I'm kinda really over being called crazy by women who call themselves feminists.
Oh and PETA is really, really evil. And this is coming from a vegetarian, who cares about the well-being of animals and the planet.
Juliet // Posted 08 April 2008 at 11:21
I just looked at the PETA UK site and they're now planning to have nude conferences of "gorgeous activists" against bullfighting in various European cities; I don't notice any nude men in the pictures! They say the bulls are tortured, mutilated and slaughtered in the name of entertainment. I'm not disputing that, but it's also exactly what happens to lots of women in the porn industry!
There's also an interview with some porn star and a photo of her in a black bra, black stockings and heels.
The article by Julie Bindel expresses perfectly what I feel.