Grinderman on Letterman
September 5, 2007
Sexism Sells
August 26, 2007
“Hi Can you make me a badge that says “No Fat Chicks” in big red letters on white background?”
The latest request from an eBayer.
My answer was simply “No”. My preferred answer would be “No. We don’t do sexism here.” or “No. NO you stupid sexist shit”.
But doing that can get you suspended from eBay.
Perhaps I could make a “No Skinny Chicks” badge.
Yesterday I made one that says “Don’t you wish your girlfriend was SMART like me”.
How Are Men Oppressed Under Patriarchy?
August 24, 2007
A reader asked me for my thoughts on the question, so in true off the top of my head fashion, here they are:
Feminism has highlighted the ways in which women are dis-empowered and disadvantaged under patriarchy, but men can experience oppression under patriarchy as well.
The central tenant of patriarchy is the dominate position of men within a society; to lead, to control and make decisions for that society. Patriarchy is maintained by men fulfilling a patriarchal masculinist role, and women fulfilling a submissive, feminine role. Each role contains a range of expectations for the behaviours, interests, occupations each sex “should” perform. It is well understood that women’s potential is denied under this system, it is not well acknowledged that men can suffer under this system as well.
A patriarchal system demands a certain masculinist kind of masculinity from men, in other words, there are a narrow range of ways that men can “be”. Men are expected to live up to and embody a narrow idea of masculinity that values athleticism, aggression, sexual prowess, and a “hard” unemotional exterior, and, it’s compulsory.
Contemporary, compulsory masculinity is essentially defined in opposition to anything feminine, so in one sense masculinity means ‘not being a woman’. Consequently, anything traditionally associated with women or femininity is seen as pollution when it exists in a man, it undermines his masculinity and emasculates him. Masculinity and patriarchy is a collective enterprise, and thus all who are male are expected to embody the type of masculinity that patriarchal society demands. Any man who deviates from the desired form of masculinity undermines the masculinity of all; he lets the team down. Any man who does not conform to desired masculinity will be the subject of ridicule and rejection unless he steps back in line. Team patriarchy is go!
The kind of masculinity that society expects of men is not natural to all men, nor is it healthy to men, or society at large. Living up to the masculine ideal creates stress for men, and generates feelings of inadequacy in many. The kind of masculinity that is desired in men leads to emotional repression. Patriarchy oppresses men emotionally. It tells them that if they express emotions that make them look vulnerable then they are ‘like a woman’ or ‘effeminate’.
Under patriarchy, no man can be his authentic self without a struggle, and without a fight against an oppressive system that demands he conform to unnatural and unhealthy masculinist ideals.
I see your dumb ass competition and raise you one
August 16, 2007
CANBERRA (Reuters) - An Australian men’s magazine offering readers a “boob job” breast enhancement for their girlfriends will be investigated under laws barring cosmetic surgery prizes, authorities said Tuesday.
Zoo Weekly, a magazine which regularly features pictures of skimpily-dressed women, offered readers A$10,000 ($8,400) for “a boob job for your girlfriend.”
Breast implants prize sparks ire
I would like to announce that the KJE blog is offering the prize of a full frontal lobotomy “for your boyfriend” if he enters you in this competition. Conditions: To claim this prize, (1) your boyfriend must have entered the Zoo competition, and (2) you must LEAVE this dumb ass sexist piece of shit boyfriend.
You gotta love this..
August 9, 2007
Giant lego man washes up on a Dutch beach
The report does not make reference to the words spread across lego man’s chest, “no real than you are”. Was it meant to be ‘no more real than you are’? My theory…. some wacky artist trying to make an intense social comment that is so obscure it’s lost on every one… such as - we’re all plastic, factory produced clones, just like lego men… but we’re cute like lego men too 
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