The Body as Decoration

Sex sells.  We all know this.  It's partly why there's an ever-growing number of women and women's groups who are trying to combat misogyny in all its forms.  However, the patriarchy is always trying to find new ways to proclaim that men are better, that men are uncontrollable hormone-fuelled time bombs and women had better behave in such a way as to not set them off, or else.

The men of many cultures once made a point of wearing decorations that featured parts of their conquests, as if that made them appear more formidable; for example, necklaces made from their opponent's teeth and fingers.  That's no different from modern hunters displaying animal heads or men who keep the undergarments of the women they've bedded.

It goes further.  There are now backpacks shaped like a man's scrotum.  There are scrotum-shaped dangly decorations that are often seen hanging from the trailer hitch of a vehicle.  Articles of clothing are made to look like sagging breasts.  These are yet more statements of "look at this, we are powerful sexual creatures".

I grant that some such clothing concepts might be intended for a good cause.  But my belief is that a person's most sensitive parts should not be used for promotion of any type.  It's degrading and objectifying.  It's like the playground taunt of "my dad can beat up your dad" - a threat that those who hold power will shove in others' faces when they can.

So, do you think that a naked woman on the cover of a magazine is cool, or that drawing a dick in the snow is funny?  Or if you go out of your way to find the word "sex" in an innocent piece of film animation to prove some secret conspiracy?  You have major issues.

Forgive the expression, but it's time to grow a pair and have some respect.  For everyone.