I saw this meme posted on Facebook a few days ago and it made me angry and hurt.
The part about this meme that gets to me is the "or" part: "Or you're a party favor."
I agree that this is a topic worth discussing. People have strong, contrasting, and albeit, valid arguments on both sides of table. However, people need to construct arguments that are based on the issue rather than name calling.
These are the type of comments that were left on this Facebook meme (yes, I realize I left their full names out there. Facebook is a public place, so I don't feel bad associating their names with their opinions on the internet).
Nancy Landeros Get your johns to pay for this service. I dont hear prostitutes asking for us to pay for their party toys
Caro Verdugo as a typical dem, she is way too unattractive for anyone to spend money on her
Charles Nungester A busy hooker wouldn't need that much
Ryan Davis Sandra, contraceptives won't fix being ugly ya know?
Candy L. Wiersema Actually, Rush was wrong on this one. A slut does anyone for free, a whore wants to get paid. So, I submit, she's a whore
You can see a full list of the comments here as there are too many to list and some that are simply too vulgar.
The flip side of this is that men in political debates are seldom (I know it happens, but far less than to women) attacked like this. If a man makes a statement with which people disagree, no one says, "Yeah? Well he's ugly!" or "He's a -insert male version of whore here." News flash: a person's looks and sexual activity are irrelevant in an argument. Perhaps a focus on the issue at hand would be more useful.
Oh wait, there is no male version of the word whore. You may be thinking about the word "gigolo," so let me ask you, when was the last time you heard someone actually use that word as an insult? Let's play a game. Make a list of all the insults you can call a woman. I'll keep it clean on here because this is, after all, read by lots of LDS members- and my in-laws who are probably horrified already at the language I have allowed on this blog (Sorry, ya'll). Now make a list of insults you can call a man. Compare and contrast.
Chances are you have a ton more of the female list. Chances are the majority on the list for men challenge their sexuality by suggesting some kind of female quality to them. I have written them out several times here, but I can't bring myself to actually publish them. If you have questions privately, feel free to email me.
But let's go back to the insults about Sandra Fluke. These are not teenagers making these comments, spewing these names. These are grown adults- shouldn't they know better how to make an intelligent and concise argument? One would think, but evidence shows otherwise. It makes me think of a playground situation where two kids are fighting about the ownership of a toy, when one of them stands up and says, "Well, you're ugly!"
Grow up and cut that garbage out. It didn't solve anything then, and it doesn't solve anything now.
5 comments:
I called out a friend over a meme she posted the other day. Originally it was just one line that said I thought the "ad" went too far. She seemed to believe that it was the shock value of the statements in the ad that led to "important debate". I dislike that people think that being rude and bold means they are inciting healthy debate. Many issues are personal but for real debate we need to make them less so. It is wrong to name call and belittle those that disagree with you.
I am really tired of the middle agers who have never been interested in politics, and are suddenly concerned with the state of our country. "news stations" on television are more like entertainment then news, and getting your information from a "commentator" is like reading a bad xerox of a bad xerox. I am frustrated with my parents and their friends who fight on facebook about womens issues, homosexuality and "the direction this country is going". They tell me if I really cared I would engage in political discussions., and stay informed. I try to stay informed, but I don't think arguing about any particular issue does any good. I spend my money intentionally (local business), and try to be good to the people around me. I vote. I also understand that you can argue until you are blue in the face, unless you actually do something about it, it means nothing.
I can't tell you how much I enjoy your honesty. So many people particurally those in religious settings don't openly stand up when these types of things are taking place.
You give me hope that people can have religion AND common sense. It's sad to me that for so many people religion, morals, and conservatism is now tightly linked with hatred towards those different than you.
First I just want to say that the above comment sounds a little insulting.
Lindsay to say that religious people have no common sense is a blanketted statement about all those who prescribe to a certain religion.
You are basically saying that 86% of the world's population have no common sense. This statement is just as hurtful as a religious person saying that those who have no religion have no morals or soul. Many people have said that and they are wrong.
Please try and make conclusions about people based of of individual actions and experience.
BUT I have to agree with one thing she said and that is it is refreshing to see people be honest about real issues. I agree and thank you also Blythe for always leading thought provoking conversations.
I agree with your post totally. Women are defined by our sexuality above anything else in our society. They are either called names because they are too pretty or too ugly or anything in between.
The amount of money anyone spends on contraception has nothing to do with their sexual habits.
Women use many forms of birth control for many reasons. To control hormones or help with regulating their menstrual cycle, etc... So to make that assumption and also comment on her looks is not only rude but very ignorant.
I am not surprised though. People have no inhibitions on the internet. The teenagers in our country are battling levels of bullying never seen before between school and the internet. Unfortunately they are learning it from their parents.
I'm lost with this one. I'm assuming that it's something thrown during the election debates.
And I know you said it's not about the money. Still though, 230 a month. Split with the visit to the doctor, the script itself, a blood pressure test and probably a blood test that needs testing in a lab. I'd say you are coming out quite well if it has cost 230 only. And frankly it doesn't take too much - a ten point difference in blood pressure- before the costs of a doctors visit becomes really scary.
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