Fighting The Good Fight

A few days ago, Emma Watson addressed the U.N. in New York City with a powerful speech concerning gender inequality around the world. What was especially memorable about her speech was the fact that she recognized men as victims of gender inequality, and invited them to join the movement so that everyone can have the equal freedom to live under the same sun, and not live under social scrutiny. I don't recall a feminist being vocal for the rights of more than just women, but Emma really hit the nail on the head there when it came to a global problem. It's about time someone took the stand and announced that everyone is affected by an abstract binary scheme, and that we should use our time on this earth to stop fussing over it. A cooperative world is a better world. 

Would it be called irony now that Emma Watson has become a social advocate?

Now, of course, after such an admirable moment in this week's history, someone has to go and f*** it all up. On top of that, that particular someone (some 4chan user) has done more than proven there is a prevalent problem with gender inequality. 

One of the top headlining stories on CNN.com is "Emma Watson Faces Backlash After Gender Inequality Speech", and the backlash is some measly threat of nude pics featuring Emma Watson being displayed all over the internet. 

Why is it that when there are people attempting to do good in the world, there's always that one a**hole who has to ruin a hopeful moment for millions of people with some stupid threat? And why is it these stories of backlash and rejection make the headlines right after a monument occasion? "Because these stories sell!" Bulls***. In a different context, these news agencies are highlighting the type of scum that still manage to weasel their ways into the media with incorrigible acts. However, these news agencies are only stating facts, not opinions. They're not stating, "Hey, check out this moron who is criminally engaging a breach of privacy!", and they should be doing more to counter the problem. With the past incidences of female celebrities having their private lives violated, it can be safe to say that this is a case of civil abuse. 

I hope to live in a society that, when stories of women (or any person) having their lives hacked and publicly ridiculed, the good people will do more than complain about, partake in, or ignore acts of personal encroachment.

Or we can just hope that Harry Potter's "Expecto patronum" spell disperses all these happy-sucking dementors out of the social scope. 

What's The Buzz?

In a genius move, BuzzFeed has successfully integrated satirical videos of the real world and social components. Now, instead of scrolling through an obscure number of best couples costume ideas or how to make breakfast the right way (why does it have to stop at a certain number, anyway?), one can spend minutes to hours watching these videos about things that highlight what one thinks, feels, or realizes in social circumstances! It's like they know everything about your life!!

In all seriousness, BuzzFeed has come up with some good material, and they made one particular video having to do with a post I wrote last month (it was more or less a rant on how an article got posted online about the benefits of catcalling). The weird thing was that the upload date marked on this video was a week before the actual New York Post article was published. So it was either good timing for BuzzFeed to produce this video, or I'm not doing my research very well.

Here's the video!
BuzzFeedYellow - What Men Are Really Saying When Catcalling Women

Just want to say, kudos to the people behind this. Not only are they mocking the crap out of these types of men, but they're doing the right thing and taking a stand against this kind of disrespect. For the excuses they came up with, these guys seem to have it spot on that there are men out there who are just so insecure, frustrated, and have no idea how to converse like a normal human being. Hopefully with how many viewers BuzzFeed reels in, and with the aid of social media, this video's exposure can prompt a social change, and create a generation of civil human beings who will not resort to this kind of behavior.

All of this is powerful stuff, and we all have the power in our hands to make change. Could you imagine back in the day, you had to play the telephone game to garner support, make posters and flyers from scratch (pen and paper), and stand on a soap box to make sure your voice was heard. Now, we can do so much more with a computer, some hand-held cameras, cell phones, etc. Not to preach, but my minimal contribution to this social change movement is making sure things that I write about are more than just my opinion; I hope to at least elicit some thought from my readers, that is if anyone reads this damn blog (congrats if you made it this far!). There are so many things that need to be brought to our attention instead of passing over them like newspaper headlines. Rather than complain about the problems in the world, or making justifications that your point of view is a Godsend, we all need to do our part and talk about how to make things better. That, or come to a understanding. BuzzFeed has done that and shows they understand, through comedy, that catcalling is embarrassing for everyone involved.

Time to stand on your soapboxes, grab your cameras, and type away what you're going to do to change the way people see things. I'm sure it's been heard thousands of times already, but it's appropriate: "Be the change you wish to see in the world." Start a buzz.

Catcalls Are Far From Flattering

Yesterday, the New York Post published an article on their website, written by Doree Lewak, praising the effects that catcalls have over women (or in this instance, just Ms. Lewak). This article came to my attention after a few friends posted the article on their pages, pissed off that a woman would encourage other women to suck it up and deal with receiving sexist remarks from strangers.

The topic of catcalling could be deciphered more or less to the eye of the beholder; women have had either similar or different experiences of the matter, taken in either a positive or negative context. There have been studies done that suggest flirtation is good for one's self-esteem, and it increases confidence in one attempting to find a partner (fling, one-night stand). However, it could be perceived that flirtation and catcalling are completely different from one another. Catcalling is short-natured and fleeting, but there will be those who will make that small moment in time matter to them, and it will come off as abrasive and disrespectful in the long-run. Not only that, but from the catcaller's position, the action can be perceived as a method of boosting one's ego, an attempt to feel empowered by objectifying someone else, and laying claim to that person with a territorial howl. In lieu of the laws of nature, a man catcalling a woman reveals what he finds to be sexually appealing, and for a brief moment his fantasies are in stark daylight.

Some might say that this article is a sign of Ms. Lewak's sense of empowerment, and that women should be proud of strutting their stuff for others to visually dissect. Why shouldn't she? She was picked out of a handful of other women to receive the verbal blessings of complete strangers and unaware of their intent. Did she bother to cater back to those construction workers she mentioned, putting on a brief show-tease before turning the corner? I doubt it. The real question is does she really need the approval of outside opinions to feel good about herself and her image?

No one should. No one should have to resort to that degree of self-worth.

Personal empowerment is about strengthening self-confidence. While outside encouragement is always a good thing, no one can feel completely whole running on other people's expectations. It's nice once in a while to receive a compliment here and there, but it should be moderated in rarity, like a treat or special purchase. From this article, women are being told to indulge in it. Might as well just say, "Forget about respecting yourself, go out there and entertain those hard-working men because that's why God gave you those gorgeous looks in the first place!" Ladies, you do not need a man's attention to feel important, attractive, or worthy of life, and you certainly do not need the advice of some bimbo who takes pride in optically prostituting herself on the streets of New York City.

"I'm not here for  your entertainment!"

I've never considered myself an extremist feminist, and probably never will be, but this got my Rosie the Riveter flexing with anger and raising the middle finger. My experience with catcalling is in the same context of being bullied as a child; obscenities being shouted my way, intrusive glances, crude gestures, and the overall demeaning sensation that lingered behind. Ironically, I was bullied in school for my looks and style; I was one of those extremely late bloomers, cursed with awkward body growth, and wore clothing that made me feel comfortable rather than restricted in skin-tight garments. I didn't adhere to the male protocol of what was attractive, and despite my best efforts to feel that none of these bullies' words mattered, it hurt. The persistent insults made me feel worthless, yet I never conformed to resemble my female classmates. Years later, men began noticing me and approached me with words that made me feel threatened and objectified; I was an insignificant being needing conquering, and they were going to do it, come hell or high water. Other women in that position would have probably loved the attention of the game, but for me it held a different meaning, and for good reason. I wasn't going to let years of self-empowerment fall to shambles over whistle-blowing, horn-honking, wolf-howling, sexist men in any manner whatsoever, and to this day I have not faltered. Until now.

Ms. Lewak's publication is just as threatening to me as the type of men who take personal gratification in humiliating women on the street. She expresses that in order to feel self-worth, you have to put your body out there in a male-dominated world, and to accept the fact that you're obligated to put on a nice show for those lonely (and most likely unfaithful) men. Women have come so far in history to be given their rights, to be seen as capable and powerful individuals, and influential leaders; they don't need centuries of respect destroyed by these particular opinions of objectified appraisal. While this article is infuriating, let us hope that it doesn't encourage any more half-witted and sexist opinions on trivial matters. Let us hope that there is a majority in this generation that has found a strong voice to promote self-empowerment and respect.

You can find the article here: http://nypost.com/2014/08/18/enough-sanctimony-ladies-catcalls-are-flattering/