A word to all about sexism.

LuisEOJr

So I checked up a Hump Day vine on youtube (yeah logical in my book), and of course 6 seconds later the video ended. I figured I could go for a good laugh and watch "Best Vines of 2013 Compilation", so I clicked on it. But youtube has commercials. I actually appreciate the commercials, because it is why I am allowed to use this free service of youtube and google and such things (so from a fan thank you), and the commercial had one of my favorite songs (I feel something every time I hear it) "Mad World" by Tears of Fears (the song in the commercial was sung by a woman I cannot find the name of, but lovely voice). And I watched this little minute and a second long commercial, and man it broke my heart. (Yeah it is a Pantene commercial of all things lol)

I am one, that if you know me, you will know that I have very strong opinions against racism and people who are prejudice for any reason. I truly see all of us as Humans first, and (if you are good at heart) gorgeous people second.

One of the things I hate the most is sexism, whenever I hear about "But I am a girl" I call that person sexist, when I hear a man saying "Well of course she was able to convince that guy, she has boobs", I get so annoyed (unless I know they joking, cause hey, even I joke about those things, its good to have a sense of humor, but you get what I am saying). And yes I know there are things that are not sexist, but are just facts (such as women naturally have more empathy, men have more testosterone and makes it easier for muscle building and such, and let us not forget the big plus of being a woman, child birth, yeah it hurts but no man will ever understand the power you women hold in that field, NOT EVER)

But seeing this commercial (LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOjNcZvwjxI) I just felt so bad, because it is so damn true.

Women, I love you, I do, I appreciate everything you all can and will do.

Sorry if I rambled on, and if I went on too long, but I don't know this video got to me a bit.

jayrudq

Lovely sentiment. The women in your life are lucky.

W0rthless_Her0

:drinker:

jmparkins4387

So, first of all, I love where you're coming from. Yes yes yes. Thank you for truly making an effort to see women as people who do deal with very real discrimination on a regular basis and are often subject to criticisms and pressures that men are not (though men have a different set of pressures and criticisms, of course).

But I just want to make mention of the "facts" you mentioned: Women do not naturally have "more empathy." Women are socialized to be more empathetic and social and accommodating to others in our culture. It's learned behavior, not a biological fact. Also, I am, and generally advise others to be, wary of scientific "truths" about gender and sex (two different things) that attempt to define the differences between men and women. As objective as scientists try to be, they're still mostly men from Western countries who apply the frameworks they learned their entire lives that shape their perspectives. The impact that this has had on science throughout history has been immense, and the entry of more and more women into scientific fields has done much to challenge the assumptions and conclusions of many of their male predecessors and colleagues.

With that said, thank you again for recognizing us as people. I only ask that now you go forth into the world and educate your sons, brothers, friends, etc about this revolutionary concept. Because we need more men like you

meshashesha2012

So, first of all, I love where you're coming from. Yes yes yes. Thank you for truly making an effort to see women as people who do deal with very real discrimination on a regular basis and are often subject to criticisms and pressures that men are not (though men have a different set of pressures and criticisms, of course).

But I just want to make mention of the "facts" you mentioned: Women do not naturally have "more empathy." Women are socialized to be more empathetic and social and accommodating to others in our culture. It's learned behavior, not a biological fact. Also, I am, and generally advise others to be, wary of scientific "truths" about gender and sex (two different things) that attempt to define the differences between men and women. As objective as scientists try to be, they're still mostly men from Western countries who apply the frameworks they learned their entire lives that shape their perspectives. The impact that this has had on science throughout history has been immense, and the entry of more and more women into scientific fields has done much to challenge the assumptions and conclusions of many of their male predecessors and colleagues.

With that said, thank you again for recognizing us as people. I only ask that now you go forth into the world and educate your sons, brothers, friends, etc about this revolutionary concept. Because we need more men like you

exactly. women are socialized to be more consensus builders and empathetic whereas boys are socialized to be more assertive. there are also studies that show differences in how parents play with their kids might effect how they deal with risks and things (for instance , parents of boy babies are more apt to do stuff like throw them in the air and catch them whereas girl babies are more often coddled).

it's very dangerous to attribute any personality or behavioral examples on biology, just stick with the physical ones and even then there's a spectrum of possibilities.

i'm also old enough to remember how one of the biggest assumptions was that girls (naturally) sucked at science and math whereas we did better at english and social studies. as a girl (who was socialized as a girl and i'm fairly "girly" as an adult) i've always been far better at math and science than the other stuff and i was treated as an oddity as a kid and it wasnt until i reached high school and college where i met other girls who rocked at science and math that we all realized that it wasnt that odd and that maybe the real obstacle to girls doing well in math and science was because we had too many adults in our ear setting the expectations so low

kateanne27

As much as I don't want to discourage someone who is trying to do something nice....... but you don't seem to understand sexism at all. I got the impression that you still view women as female first, human second. Benevolence does not disqualify you from misogyny.
No one likes to be patronized. Don't thank women for what women do, treat each person with the respect they are due as humans, and appreciate their human contributions to the human race.
P.S. Sexist jokes are still sexist and annoying. Claiming humor makes it ok to saying offensive things or condone narrow stereotypes is a tactic as old as time.

clarkeje1

bump

huntndox

Thank you

vjohn04

Your heart is in the right place, OP.

Solid attempt.

britta14

As much as I don't want to discourage someone who is trying to do something nice....... but you don't seem to understand sexism at all. I got the impression that you still view women as female first, human second. Benevolence does not disqualify you from misogyny.
No one likes to be patronized. Don't thank women for what women do, treat each person with the respect they are due as humans, and appreciate their human contributions to the human race.
P.S. Sexist jokes are still sexist and annoying. Claiming humor makes it ok to saying offensive things or condone narrow stereotypes is a tactic as old as time.

I agree wholeheartedly. Thank you for pointing that out.

walleyclan1

cool post OP!

missomgitsica

As much as I don't want to discourage someone who is trying to do something nice....... but you don't seem to understand sexism at all. I got the impression that you still view women as female first, human second. Benevolence does not disqualify you from misogyny.
No one likes to be patronized. Don't thank women for what women do, treat each person with the respect they are due as humans, and appreciate their human contributions to the human race.
P.S. Sexist jokes are still sexist and annoying. Claiming humor makes it ok to saying offensive things or condone narrow stereotypes is a tactic as old as time.

This. So much this. If a man ever thanked me for the things I do "as a woman" I'd slap him.

delicious_cocktail

I didn't watch the commercial, but ladies, the only thing that differentiates you, in my opinion, is your vaginas. Keep on rock in' equality in 2014! You hold those things up high and don't put just anything in there. You have my support!!!

mthr2

OP, that was a good ad and a nice post and you seem to be a good person. Somehow your kind sentiment will not be good enough because I don't think it is PC to notice that women are women or generalize us in any way, shape, or form.

Have fun and don't get your feelings hurt with all that may follow. :laugh:

meshashesha2012

I didn't watch the commercial, but ladies, the only thing that differentiates you, in my opinion, is your vaginas. Keep on rock in' equality in 2014! You hold those things up high and don't put just anything in there. You have my support!!!

wait hold what things up high? our vaginas? :laugh:

PikaKnight

I didn't watch the commercial, but ladies, the only thing that differentiates you, in my opinion, is your vaginas. Keep on rock in' equality in 2014! You hold those things up high and don't put just anything in there. You have my support!!!

wait hold what things up high? our vaginas? :laugh:

Mother_Superior

.

michellekicks

I didn't watch the commercial, but ladies, the only thing that differentiates you, in my opinion, is your vaginas. Keep on rock in' equality in 2014! You hold those things up high and don't put just anything in there. You have my support!!!

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

ldrosophila

I didn't watch the commercial, but ladies, the only thing that differentiates you, in my opinion, is your vaginas. Keep on rock in' equality in 2014! You hold those things up high and don't put just anything in there. You have my support!!!

wait hold what things up high? our vaginas? :laugh:

's my vagina ill put wte i want in it even if it is 99 luftballoons

subsonicbassist

Sounds like OP is gonna be having a "Hump Day" erry day, if you know what I mean

_SABOTEUR_

How do you get your vagina high? Dip your vibrator in cocaine?

LiftAllThePizzas

P.S. Sexist jokes are still sexist and annoying. Claiming humor makes it ok to saying offensive things or condone narrow stereotypes is a tactic as old as time.

FYI the point of many 'sexist' and 'racist' jokes is satire. They present those ideas to ridicule them, not to condone them. That's why it's important to know your audience and vice versa.

PikaKnight

P.S. Sexist jokes are still sexist and annoying. Claiming humor makes it ok to saying offensive things or condone narrow stereotypes is a tactic as old as time.

FYI the point of many 'sexist' and 'racist' jokes is satire. They present those ideas to ridicule them, not to condone them. That's why it's important to know your audience and vice versa.

:drinker: :drinker: :drinker:

SailorKnightWing

I didn't watch the commercial, but ladies, the only thing that differentiates you, in my opinion, is your vaginas. Keep on rock in' equality in 2014! You hold those things up high and don't put just anything in there. You have my support!!!

wait hold what things up high? our vaginas? :laugh:

Wow he looks like Tim Curry in that gif.

kateanne27

P.S. Sexist jokes are still sexist and annoying. Claiming humor makes it ok to saying offensive things or condone narrow stereotypes is a tactic as old as time.

FYI the point of many 'sexist' and 'racist' jokes is satire. They present those ideas to ridicule them, not to condone them. That's why it's important to know your audience and vice versa.

Except he didn't ridicule the ideas. His view was consistent through his post. There's a reason that its the racists and sexists that find racist and sexist jokes funny, and its not because they are ridiculing their own ideas.

PikaKnight

P.S. Sexist jokes are still sexist and annoying. Claiming humor makes it ok to saying offensive things or condone narrow stereotypes is a tactic as old as time.

FYI the point of many 'sexist' and 'racist' jokes is satire. They present those ideas to ridicule them, not to condone them. That's why it's important to know your audience and vice versa.

Except he didn't ridicule the ideas. His view was consistent through his post. There's a reason that its the racists and sexists that find racist and sexist jokes funny, and its not because they are ridiculing their own ideas.

So if I laugh at someone joking about a woman making a sammich...I'm sexist? Somehow, understanding humor says that I automatically am a sexist that believes women shouldn't leave the kitchen? :huh:

Mr_Bad_Example

Commercials on YouTube? Dude, you need to get AdBlock.

Also...

LiftAllThePizzas

P.S. Sexist jokes are still sexist and annoying. Claiming humor makes it ok to saying offensive things or condone narrow stereotypes is a tactic as old as time.

FYI the point of many 'sexist' and 'racist' jokes is satire. They present those ideas to ridicule them, not to condone them. That's why it's important to know your audience and vice versa.

Except he didn't ridicule the ideas. His view was consistent through his post. There's a reason that its the racists and sexists that find racist and sexist jokes funny, and its not because they are ridiculing their own ideas.

Which specific joke(s) being told to which specific audience(s) are you referring to? He didn't name any particular jokes, he just pointed out that he understands the fact that humor doesn't make a value statement about something in a vacuum.

Fullsterkur_woman

P.S. Sexist jokes are still sexist and annoying. Claiming humor makes it ok to saying offensive things or condone narrow stereotypes is a tactic as old as time.

FYI the point of many 'sexist' and 'racist' jokes is satire. They present those ideas to ridicule them, not to condone them. That's why it's important to know your audience and vice versa.

Except he didn't ridicule the ideas. His view was consistent through his post. There's a reason that its the racists and sexists that find racist and sexist jokes funny, and its not because they are ridiculing their own ideas.

So if I laugh at someone joking about a woman making a sammich...I'm sexist? Somehow, understanding humor says that I automatically am a sexist that believes women shouldn't leave the kitchen? :huh:

Right, like if my lifting friends and I laugh about this, we're sexist? :noway: It's clearly satire, because we're all female lifters.

Natihilator

P.S. Sexist jokes are still sexist and annoying. Claiming humor makes it ok to saying offensive things or condone narrow stereotypes is a tactic as old as time.

FYI the point of many 'sexist' and 'racist' jokes is satire. They present those ideas to ridicule them, not to condone them. That's why it's important to know your audience and vice versa.

Except he didn't ridicule the ideas. His view was consistent through his post. There's a reason that its the racists and sexists that find racist and sexist jokes funny, and its not because they are ridiculing their own ideas.

So if I laugh at someone joking about a woman making a sammich...I'm sexist? Somehow, understanding humor says that I automatically am a sexist that believes women shouldn't leave the kitchen? :huh:

Right, like if my lifting friends and I laugh about this, we're sexist? :noway: It's clearly satire, because we're all female lifters.

If this image was cleverly satirical, it would show two people: a man buckling under the falling Oly bar, and a woman holding the similarly-weighted bar triumphantly. Or something to that effect.

But it doesn't, it shows a woman "failing" at doing a man's job once again, and the joke is reinstating a sexist stereotype where the "weak woman" is the punchline once again. As a chick, I personally don't get how it's funny to other women, but you do you.

LuisEOJr

Did not expect such a response, was just speaking my mind but I would like to answer all who came on here.

jayrudq: Thank you, I would hope all the people in my life are as lucky as I am to be in theirs.

jmparkins4387: I agree with what you said, it is learned behavior, but because of such learned behavior am I wrong in saying that women are more empathetic than men? Which in my opinion, a fact that women are naturally have more empathy, if I am wrong about it, I apologize for my ignorance in the matter. (Just some things I picked up from many of the women in my life as I was growing up, not the men).

meshashesha20: Well said.

kateanne27: Sexism is defined as: prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination, typically against women, on the basis of sex, so I still stand by all I said, sorry if you misunderstood me in anyway. About the jokes, we see things very differently in that field. A joke is a joke and we all have different sense of humor. Trust me when I say the first person I make fun of is myself, and anyone who leaves me or my type of people out of their jokes makes me feel just that left out. But that is different to all of us, we all have different sense of humor. If I were to say something I find funny and you over hear me and disagree, I actually would apologize and explain we see things differently and move on, no worries. If that is not enough for you, or to anyone else, well than it is obvious at that point we should not be speaking anyways (no matter if you male, female, white, black or anything, if our humor is different being friendly most likely will not take place).

huntndox: Really no problem, I was just ranting about how I felt.

vjohn04, walleyclan1, LiftAllThePiz: Thank you.

missomgitsica: I am sorry you see things that way, but my thanks (or love as I said) was not specifically saying "Thank you for being a women" was more of thank you, as I would thank any other person who shows strength and courage to go through hard times. I thanked a friend of mine for the same reasons (right here on MFP) because they recently went through throat surgery, are having trouble eating and now found out they cannot taste most foods anymore. I thank them for showing such strength for continuing their journey to being healthy and staying strong no matter what the world tossed in their way. To put it simply, I did not thank based on the fact that you all were women, I thanked in the fact that I, as many others I am sure, are aware of the tough times you all go through and showing strength is a powerful thing, so thank you.

delicious_coc: HA well said man, well said.

mthr2: Oh boy, I hope people do not think that my feelings are hurt by me posting such a long response to everyone on this list, I am just someone who has always enjoyed a proper explanation on both sides of any story to get not only full understanding of the true meaning but also I do enjoy seeing how others think (breaking down thoughts helps me learn more in life).

subsonicbassi: Made me laugh with that one, but one can only hope, I love my fiancee.

cloudbustr: Never met anyone who calls themselves a chick and cannot laugh at the joke. I think this is funny as heck (picture of fake news), mainly because I guarantee she can out lift me any day. I get winded trying to lift a 35lbs TV, so I think I would cry like a baby about this one, wait is that prejudice toward babies (just joking along at this point folks, no need to get so serious)