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cmay89
Posts: 337 Member
In response to this article?
http://breakingmuscle.com/crossfit/dear-crossfit-talayna-deserves-better
Should HQ be more conscious of the pictures they put up? Or are the vast majority totally okay with photos that can easily be taken the wrong way?
Just curious, it was very thought provoking to me. I hadn't seen it put in that light before and usually I guess that you could go as far as to call me naive, because when I see photos like these, I have to purposely make myself switch mental gears and try to see it from a perverse perspective; I typically see them as they are, in the moment, in the middle of a workout, but others see them differently.
Thoughts?
http://breakingmuscle.com/crossfit/dear-crossfit-talayna-deserves-better
Should HQ be more conscious of the pictures they put up? Or are the vast majority totally okay with photos that can easily be taken the wrong way?
Just curious, it was very thought provoking to me. I hadn't seen it put in that light before and usually I guess that you could go as far as to call me naive, because when I see photos like these, I have to purposely make myself switch mental gears and try to see it from a perverse perspective; I typically see them as they are, in the moment, in the middle of a workout, but others see them differently.
Thoughts?
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Replies
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Overall I think it goes to the fact that people do dumb things in regards to decisions about which pictures are used, the captions to go with them, and the comments made by folks. In short we can only hope that someday people can keep it classy!0
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Misogyny and objectification of women in media/advertising is nothing new. While one of the things I like about CF is the egalitarian manner in which athletes are judged it is clear that philosophy does not extend everywhere. I think it is sad that people think exploitation in that manner is OK.0
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Overall I think it goes to the fact that people do dumb things in regards to decisions about which pictures are used, the captions to go with them, and the comments made by folks. In short we can only hope that someday people can keep it classy!
But that's just it...it's not just a "dumb thing" when the same decision is made time and again. It is a systemic problem that should be dealt with but will not be until people speak up. That includes the athletes and each and every person who thinks this kind of objectification is unacceptable (by contacting CFHQ directly, not playing into their hands by commenting on the photos).0 -
Misogyny and objectification of women in media/advertising is nothing new. While one of the things I like about CF is the egalitarian manner in which athletes are judged it is clear that philosophy does not extend everywhere. I think it is sad that people think exploitation in that manner is OK.
While my only thought while seeing that photo was "damn is she strong" I can see how some people would interpret it sexually.
If she has no issues with them using it, then I don't either.0 -
I don't care if she has an issue with people using it. CrossFit is one of the few truly female empowering arenas out there these days and CF is undermining itself. CF has an opportunity to change how women think about themselves and how people view women. They should be leaders, not opportunists at the expense of their own base. We need to speak up. It's not okay. By saying nothing, nothing, nothing about everything, that is where we have gotten to the point of media's treatment of women, and especially women in power, today.
Just because it's been going on outside of CF doesn't make it right. It's not funny. It's sad. CF help be the change that we want to see in the world. If it's not, then it makes me question whether CF's strong women branding type stuff is genuine at all.0 -
CF help be the change that we want to see in the world. If it's not, then it makes me question whether CF's strong women branding type stuff is genuine at all.
VERY good point.0 -
I am fairly prude and straight-laced. And, I see nothing offensive in that picture. I guess because the picture does not have a sexual context. It is just a beautiful body doing something athletic.
And actually, I think, it is sometimes naive to try to maintain that it is not true that part of the pleasure of watching athletics is -- like dance -- the pleasure of seeing what the human body can do and what the human body can become. In those cases, it is aesthetic, but it is not necessarily titillating.
Of course, it is easier for me, as a man, to be indifferent to a possible larger situation. Since I am not a female, I am not sensitive to how a woman can be demeaned and so i do not react the same way. If I am being insensitive, I am sorry.0 -
I'm not at all offended by it. We are part of an edgy sport. We're not doing classical ballet here.0
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I'm not at all offended by it. We are part of an edgy sport. We're not doing classical ballet here.
Agreed. There is nothing classy or 'proper' about many of the movements we do in crossfit, especially when it is done wearing minimal clothing. Those who do crossfit will understand that, and will see images like those and know how hard they must be working to end up being snapped like that, and we will see their bodies for their incredible physical achievements, not as a 'piece of meat'.
And those who make stupid comments have probably never done crossfit and hang out with the other people that call crossfit a dangerous cult. And so be it. If they want to be petty and judgemental, then let them be. I know it won't stop me from doing what I love.
The only way I think it would turn into an issue that should be looked at more closely is if the athletes in those pictures took offence and spoke out. But until then, let the world see what we can make our bodies do!!0 -
I am fairly prude and straight-laced. And, I see nothing offensive in that picture. I guess because the picture does not have a sexual context. It is just a beautiful body doing something athletic.
And actually, I think, it is sometimes naive to try to maintain that it is not true that part of the pleasure of watching athletics is -- like dance -- the pleasure of seeing what the human body can do and what the human body can become. In those cases, it is aesthetic, but it is not necessarily titillating.
Of course, it is easier for me, as a man, to be indifferent to a possible larger situation. Since I am not a female, I am not sensitive to how a woman can be demeaned and so i do not react the same way. If I am being insensitive, I am sorry.
Well said, and this from someone who is decidedly NOT a prude OR straight-laced
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I am fairly prude and straight-laced. And, I see nothing offensive in that picture. I guess because the picture does not have a sexual context. It is just a beautiful body doing something athletic.
And actually, I think, it is sometimes naive to try to maintain that it is not true that part of the pleasure of watching athletics is -- like dance -- the pleasure of seeing what the human body can do and what the human body can become. In those cases, it is aesthetic, but it is not necessarily titillating.
Of course, it is easier for me, as a man, to be indifferent to a possible larger situation. Since I am not a female, I am not sensitive to how a woman can be demeaned and so i do not react the same way. If I am being insensitive, I am sorry.
I don't think you are being insensitive at all and the fact that you see the pic more as an expression of athletic grace than titillation is a good thing for sure. :glasses:
That being said, I personally feel that pics like that which are promoted by CF and other athletic companies are done with the intention of being provocative, even if that intention is not necessarily overt. A professional photographer takes hundreds of pictures at an event (like a wedding.) But in this case CF just happened to choose one where the female athlete had her legs splayed open in a pose which in another context could easily be seen as sexual? That is not a coincidence.0 -
If I may add . . . and I know it is not my place . . . . How do you expect her to hold her legs when she is climbing a rope without using her feet? It simply is not a demure activity. But it is darn impressive! Dang it! There simply is no way to do it in a "lady-like" fashion.
Also, when ballet dancers stand, they turn their feet out, and this is a conscious position. They do this in order to turn their thighs out because the thigh seen that way, from the audience, is much curvier, muscular-looking and attractive. The thigh seen straight on is simply not that impressive, usually.
They do not stand that way so that their hips are thrust out and that makes the man's junk, in his tights, jut out in front -- though it does. Dance is not pornography; but it is about the beautiful body.
I suspect -- though I certainly do not know -- that Talayna's thighs were part of what the photographer saw and, turned out like that, they appear as incredibly muscular. He chose that picture, not because it is prurient in any way, but because she looks impressive and those thighs are amazing.0 -
I suspect -- though I certainly do not know -- that Talayna's thighs were part of what the photographer saw and, turned out like that, they appear as incredibly muscular. He chose that picture, not because it is prurient in any way, but because she looks impressive and those thighs are amazing.
No offense...but that sounds pretty naive.0 -
No offense taken. Perhaps it is.0
