sexism is rampant, but beautiful is not sexist.

[sylvanmeanders]

landed up in a huge debate online. russell brand's awesome interview about his taking on the editing of an issue of some political mag was posted and a bunch of us were debating it. as is so typical in the activist world, instead of his awesome words being discussed, instead of us applauding that a famous dude is incredibly eloquently expressing

Comments

[yiskah]

I've got to disagree with you here. I really like Russell Brand, I liked what he said in that interview, and I definitely agree that calling women beautiful isn't inherently sexist. But in that context, yeah, I do find it to be so. If I, in my professional capacity, asked someone to do some work for me, and they said they had done it "because a beautiful woman asked them to" I'd feel as if my work and my professional role was being completely trivialised. I don't want someone to do what I ask them because they like the way I look; I want them to do it because they respect me. Sure, call me beautiful all you want in a non-professional capacity! But in that context, I think it's just another layer of unnecessary objectification of professional women.

I DON'T think that means that Russell Brand is 'bad' or not worth listening to, just that I am not a fan of that particular comment/

[sylvanmeanders]

thank you. you helped me see it from another perspective. one i totally understand.

can i use your words here in the discussions i'm having?

[yiskah]

For sure! I'm glad to help. :)

[yiskah]

PS - I would have weighed in on the FB discussion myself but didn't know what the context was!

[layo]

Yeah, I saw that. I didn't think he was hot until I realized how smart he is. Now he kind of makes me happy in the pants. I suppose that means I'm sexist, if any sexual attraction = sexist.

[sylvanmeanders]

lol.

he definitely proves that intelligence makes a person hot. i've heard a lot of people say, "yeah, i really want to hate him, but then he talks!" i was not into him at all until i started watching and listening to his recent stuff. but the man is brilliant!