Ok, there is one thing I really have a problem with in South Park.
And that's their treatment of the female sex organs. The writers are pretty good with feminism, showing women in a positive and equal light and not shying away from tricky issues. Also, in my memory they have NEVER MADE FUN OF FEMINISM, despite their policy to make fun of every "ism" in existence. (I may be wrong about this - there are still episodes I haven't seen.)
But they only ever portray vaginas (yes, I will continue to use this word because I don't care for euphemisms) as disgusting, embarassing, and just plain nasty. I have a massive problem with this, especially as penis are portrayed in the opposite way. I don't understand why they have to make fun of vaginas - they are merely part of our bodies and who we are. Making fun of groups of people is fine: people are flawed and we must always poke fun at ourselves to reveal issues. But not vaginas. I mean come on guys.
Maybe they're just jealous.
So yeah, this is the problem I have with South Park (apart from frankly disgusting toilet humour which I rarely if ever find funny, but unfortunately this seems to be a staple of all American comedy).
More thinky thoughts to distract me from essay.
~Lili
PS: I just realised that this, and other shows doing the same thing have made me feel kinda gross about having a vagina. The penis is so celebrated practically everywhere in our culture and the vagina receives the opposite treatment. I can't really express this very well as it's a subconcious feeling, but I kinda feel icky just for having one. I mean, this is totally not me, it's just this impression I get that not only is it gross, but society and men think it's gross, and I should hide it and repress my sexuality.
But they only ever portray vaginas (yes, I will continue to use this word because I don't care for euphemisms) as disgusting, embarassing, and just plain nasty. I have a massive problem with this, especially as penis are portrayed in the opposite way. I don't understand why they have to make fun of vaginas - they are merely part of our bodies and who we are. Making fun of groups of people is fine: people are flawed and we must always poke fun at ourselves to reveal issues. But not vaginas. I mean come on guys.
Maybe they're just jealous.
So yeah, this is the problem I have with South Park (apart from frankly disgusting toilet humour which I rarely if ever find funny, but unfortunately this seems to be a staple of all American comedy).
More thinky thoughts to distract me from essay.
~Lili
PS: I just realised that this, and other shows doing the same thing have made me feel kinda gross about having a vagina. The penis is so celebrated practically everywhere in our culture and the vagina receives the opposite treatment. I can't really express this very well as it's a subconcious feeling, but I kinda feel icky just for having one. I mean, this is totally not me, it's just this impression I get that not only is it gross, but society and men think it's gross, and I should hide it and repress my sexuality.