…but it does illustrate how specious arguments are used to divert attention from pertinent questions by those who would rather those questions hadn’t been asked in the first place. “Fuck! She’s asking difficult questions! ….I know, I’ll call her on racism. Phew!”
All I’ve done is adjust the brightness. For those of you with little or no imagination (you know who you are) just think of it as the house lights going up.
Yes, There probably are men of colour in that audience. Are they in the majority? No. Do men of colour frequent strip joints? Yes. Would all those who have been baying “racism! racism! that cartoon is racist because it depicts men of colour!” be baying “racism, racism, there are no men of colour represented!” if no men of colour had been depicted?
Probably.
I have to say, the people of colour that I know are insulted – yes, insulted – to think that so many people can’t distinguish their features from the boring old caucasian bunch. Mind you, they think it’s hysterical that so much time and effort was spent trying to derail a potentially very interesting dialogue in some half-arsed attempt to gain equal abuser representation for men of colour.*
And, yes, for those amongst us with little or no imagination (you know who you are) the skin tones are still lighter in relation to each other in the cartoon as posted above. That’s because it’s still the same picture and you’re supposed to be looking at the features, not the colour. After all, racism isn’t all about colour, is it.
So, yes, I have posted that cartoon on my blog. Happy now?
*I know this because I asked them today and that is what they said. They all laughed and told me it was a “fucking ridiculous” argument. The most men of colour that were spotted in that pic were “a ‘dubious’ four” (he watches Countdown, what can I say?). All the women of colour I asked simply saw “men”. I tend to trust their take on the whole thing, quite frankly.
30 responses so far ↓
Sarah // August 1, 2008 at 12:01 am |
Witchy, I just adore you…….
But, isn’t that Tony Blair on the left? *grin*
Sis // August 1, 2008 at 4:44 am |
AGEISM !! AGEISM !!
There’s an old guy in there! North of her knee. I’m speechless at the hatred and othering. Look at his face! Hopeless, dejected. Sad. That’s how they ALWAYS depict old people. Sick. Sick!
Anji // August 1, 2008 at 8:57 am |
My goodness it really does look like Blair… :O
rmott62 // August 1, 2008 at 11:34 am |
Thanks for putting up this picture.
I find it quite disturbing that the “race card” is used to ignore the real unsettling image.
I know the looks of the men in the cartoon is very real – I experienced on a regular basis when in the sex trade.
For me, this cartoon is showing men as many women and girls see them, especially when “working” in the sex trade. They are seen as individuals – but as baying, obsessed with sex and dead inside. Men that choose to use the sex trade make women and girls into objects for their use.
I find it powerful to show these as an ugly mass. It them how they are, not as they want to be seen.
I think you are right to say that is racist to suggest only white men use the sex trade.
All men of all backgrounds choose to use the sex trade. All men who choose to buy into the sex trade are exploiting women and girls.
In the end, I put the women and girls who are exploited before the men that used them – whatever their background.
Sarah // August 1, 2008 at 6:11 pm |
Hairism! Some are bald……
Erm, I still don;t get it, the racism thing. It’s been *explained* several times to me and I still don’t see it.
Then along came RMott who says “I find it quite disturbing that the “race card” is used to ignore the real unsettling image.” and suddenly it ALL makes sense.
Thank you.
jennifer drew // August 1, 2008 at 10:30 pm |
Excellent Witchy that you asked individuals who are the real experts and what did they say. Racism what racism?
Don’t worry though because the porners and their apologists will think of another strategy all of which is designed to deflect attention away from the innumerable men and their followers who believe it is their right to rape and sexually exploit women and girls.
Rebecca your analysis is spot on – what this cartoon shows is a group of men all baying for one thing – the right to rape and sexually exploit women. The ugliness and hatred of these men is such that it is not surprising pro-porners and their apologists cannot bear to face the truth.
Reminds me of slavery and why so many white privileged men and women too refused to see the realities of slavery. Why? Because to see it is to face the truth – the deliberate and calculated dehumanisation and reduction of a certain group for the pleasure and use of the dominant group.
Sounds familiar? Yes I know slavery involved both women and men whereas pornography and its brother prostitution involves only women and girls being raped and sold into sexual slavery for men’s use/abuse.
Nine Deuce // August 1, 2008 at 11:00 pm |
The guys in the front row all look like they’re named Walter to me.
Sarah // August 2, 2008 at 10:49 am |
Nah, they’re all (not my) Nigel.
Apart from Tony….
polly styrene // August 2, 2008 at 12:02 pm |
But you missed the most important point Witchy. That is just SOOOOOOOOOOOO anti men – and it’s homophobic as well! How dare they suggest that pole dancing clubs are only frequented by leering male losers when everyone knows hip and kewl lesbians who also want to objectify women can go to such establishments now as well?
Seriously – I’m offended.
(BTW littoral mermaid has written a really good post on this. )
polly styrene // August 2, 2008 at 12:09 pm |
Also point of rationality – I believe clubs of this type are usually dark with spotlit stages?
stormy // August 2, 2008 at 12:42 pm |
Would all those who have been baying “racism! racism! that cartoon is racist because it depicts men of colour!” be baying “racism, racism, there are no men of colour represented!” if no men of colour had been depicted?
Absolutely Witchy, spot on. The classic deflection technique.
Yup Sarah, I do reckon it is Blair.
Sarah // August 2, 2008 at 1:50 pm |
Polly,
I believe I did make a point about *shadows* somewhere ….. But I had to have the whole racism thing explained to me – because I’m clearly stupid and can’t tell the facial features apart – it was like being hit over the head with a bit of soggy lettuce…..
Then they commenced with the Witchy bashing so I wandered off. No-one, but No-one bashes my Witchy…..
Much love to you hon! Standing at your shoulder as always.
witchywoo // August 2, 2008 at 1:50 pm |
Rationality, Polly? Crikey, that’s a bit extreme don’t you think?
Maggie Hays // August 2, 2008 at 7:09 pm |
Thanks for putting up this picture.
I find it quite disturbing that the “race card” is used to ignore the real unsettling image.
I know the looks of the men in the cartoon is very real – I experienced on a regular basis when in the sex trade.
For me, this cartoon is showing men as many women and girls see them, especially when “working” in the sex trade. They are seen as individuals – but as baying, obsessed with sex and dead inside. Men that choose to use the sex trade make women and girls into objects for their use.
Exactly, Rebecca!
Most of these men on this picture are white anyway.
Using the “racism” card as an attempt to derail a thread was a such silly and unfounded accusation. Nine didn’t deserve that.
The cartoon made a great point on sexism, objectification, degradation, and misogyny that “sex poz” men of all sorts didn’t like.
polly styrene // August 2, 2008 at 9:34 pm |
Witchy bashing Sarah? Many have tried…. (particularly with soggy lettuce – what’s wrong with rocket, it’s an upmarket salad vegetable?)
Yup sweeties (whoever you are, life’s too short), I think you’re obviously mistaking Witchy for someone who cares.
In fact – make that both of us.
Sarah // August 2, 2008 at 11:21 pm |
Polly – Generic Lettuce is an insipid tasteless leaf, especially when soggy and wilted, you might as well graze the lawn like a sheep. Rocket has style and flavour!
Sarah
witchywoo // August 3, 2008 at 12:19 am |
“Rocket has style and flavour!”
Just like me!
Sarah // August 3, 2008 at 1:00 am |
Exactamundo….
Arantxa // August 3, 2008 at 10:08 am |
Thanks for putting this up. When I read ND’s post the cartoon was already gone and I assumed that it was racist. I mean, why would so many people, including a couple of people I used to respect, say it was racist if it wasn’t?
And then there’s the fact that this appropriation of anti-racism is done by white western women trying to score points – at the expense of Black and ethinic minority women. Shame on them.
Sis // August 3, 2008 at 8:10 pm |
I apologize to Nine Deuce for dropping in.
But I would like to say, Ido wish you bloggers would quit engaging these people, by inviting them, or their ideas, in. It bleeds off (y)our energy for worthy feminist endeavours.
Although I was neither raised in nor educated in the tradition of what you call discussion, having both essentially educated myself by reading, and being from a culture that is not known for talking on and on, and when shoots first and asks questions later (literally), I do enjoy reading sincere discussion. Which it never is, nor can be I think, with ‘them’.
So I guess if those of you who have been educated in the Socratic tradition want to do that, who am I to say PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD WILL YOU FUCKING STOP IT?!
Carry on. But, but now you know; they are not sincere, are not genuine, and their modus operandi is to disrupt. That and only that.
Next. I have a proposal: please can we stop calling them ’sex-positive”? What they support is arguably not sex, and is definitely not positive.
Suggestions, please, for a more accurately descriptive phrase.
Mary Sunshine // August 4, 2008 at 12:18 am |
{{{ Sis }}}, you said it for me.
Thanks.
Mary
Nine Deuce // August 5, 2008 at 12:27 am |
Sis – I had to learn for myself, but this whole thing has gotten so absurd I almost can’t believe it. I’ve decided to close the thread because it’s turned into a ludicrous tirade against radical feminism, backed up with nothing but unfounded accusations. It really has been a sap on my energy. To think, I could have spent the time I’ve spent defending myself from charges that I’m a racist writing something that might have convinced someone outside of the debate of something.
Nine Deuce // August 5, 2008 at 12:28 am |
I’m perfectly happy with pro-pornstitution as a substitute for “sex positive.” I normally put that in quotes, though I avoided doing so in that thread so the people responding wouldn’t get whiny. It worked so well.
Polly Styrene // August 5, 2008 at 12:37 pm |
I concur with m’learned friends…..
Sis // August 5, 2008 at 4:38 pm |
Dig your toes into that sand girl. You’ve earned it.
Arantxa // August 5, 2008 at 6:49 pm |
‘Suggestions, please, for a more accurately descriptive phrase.’
How about ’sexism’, ‘woman hating’ or ‘misogyny’?
Level Best // August 5, 2008 at 7:25 pm |
Nine Deuce, all that racism talk was just a smokescreen for the sparkle ponies. Lalala, they aren’t listening!!
Luckynkl // August 7, 2008 at 8:21 am |
When I looked at the picture, I saw only men. Any other characteristic, including color, was irrelevant. Because the focus of the men is on the woman, not each other.
The men’s facial expressions and attitude towards the woman are one and the same which makes the men all but indistinguishable from each other. Differences among them irrelevant and forgotten, these men are united in brotherhood in their attitude and reaction towards the woman and what they think of her.
buggle // August 7, 2008 at 4:48 pm |
Word sis and others- I know that it does take some time to figure out who wants to actually learn and discuss, and who just wants to attack and insult. I’m just so sad to see those assholes all over nine deuce’s, and marytracy’s, and anji’s, and, and and…
feminist reprise :: the blog // August 7, 2008 at 8:37 pm |
[...] of any particular incidence? (Marcotte’s book was indubitably racist, IMHO, and IMHO the cartoon wasn’t.) Do I conclude that it doesn’t matter what I think, at all? Do I blog about the [...]