Just as you are not really a man until a love object tosses a drink in your face in a restaurant while you are trying to explain something about your relationship with them; you are not really a blogger until somebody hates on you!
Well okay, it isn't really hate mail, more like we're a little concerned mail. Either way we love the attention:
Hi Stephen,
Just to let you know, I've been closely following your blog entries on POWCity. While I think that you're a brilliant and creative person, there's a couple of points that have my feminist (not post-feminist) antennae twitching that I feel I should address. For instance, if your blog deals with graphic images of women only (no-one will be stared at), than why do you take the tone that the images are in fact real women, women that you have known intimately. This was kind of funny the first time you did it, but now it's just getting creepy. There's a slight misogyny creeping its way into the posts. I noticed it first with the fur ad. I think if you look closely you'll find that many men are into fur as well. And I think most of the slaughtering is done by males as well. The woman in the ad is just a model, but you use her image as a springboard for an attack on female vanity. You've singled out gender for commentary and creative exploration in your blog and while you seem titillated by female charms, there's no real empathy there.
For example, you sing the praises of burlesque and assure us women that it's all in the presentation. Presentation of what? A scantily clad ass presented for the dead-eyed male gaze? Unlike many women, I don't have that ironic, post-feminist appreciation of strippers. I just don't buy that it's all in good fun, glorifies the female form, etc. etc. People can say what they like, but I don't know many that would wish their daughters success on the burlesque circuit. That doesn't mean I don't like women who are strippers. I mean, a girl's gotta do what she's gotta do and everyone has their own path. What I don't get about stripping is the public-ness of it. I mean here you are, a roomful of people, mostly men, with this erotic event going on before you and what happens? You sit there, drink more beer, applaud wildly and then what? Have a group orgy with your fellows? Go home and jerk off? What? Maybe some women get off on the power of knowing that they're making a roomful of people horny.
Anyway, sorry if this sounds bitchy. I had to address it because you're my friend and I want what's best for you.
Name withheld on advice from Legal Department
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2 comments:
I think your reader misunderstands the difference between stripping and burlesque. I recommend a trip to Montreal, where a number of neuvo-burlesque clubs thrive. You would enjoy a fun evening of cheeky art, loaded with innuendo, dancing, campy music and scenarios -- but really, a performance event, not a night at Jilly's.
As a long-time card-carrying feminist, I still appreciate Step's admiration of the feminine form, especially in its retro-lingeried finery. Let's face it -- women are, overall, easier on the eyes than men. And give me the powerful, sassy dames of 1930s and 40s cinema over the anorexic fluff freaks on screen now anyday!!
Keep at it Step. I enjoy your kooky rambles about your findings.
Lisa Bo Bisa
You're so right Lisa. I did misunderstand. After doing a thorough web search with "burlesque" as my subject, I see now how wrong I was. Burlesque is awesome. There's a company in the States called Velvet Hammer who do a cabaret-style show, like Cirque du Soleil with pasties. The performers of both genders are gorgeous, and there's a variety of body types and ages. Yay Velvet Hammer!
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