The issue came to prominence when a spokesman for the Toronto police was advising women to not dress too sexily. This in turn provoked the reaction from women's groups that women should dress what they like and any hint of restricting that is an attempt to attribute blame on women for attacks and violence from men.
"Slut walk" demonstrations were carried out at various locations encouraging the freedom to dress anyway women wanted.
What do you think?
Is it possible to move it out of the emotionally charged area of gender politics and look at it some other way?
Would we consider it crass for a person of means to display his/her wealth in front of those less fortunate? and then not offer to share any of it?
Would a chef cook up an appetizing meal day after day, spread it's enticing aroma to the hungry crowd watching, but do it for show only and not offer any of it to the crowd and still seem right?
Should the chef be offended if someone ask if they can sample the food?
But of course, wealth and appetite are not the same as affection and sex. So we have to be careful not to draw the wrong conclusions from situations that are not entirely parallel.
However, there are parallels. Would a chef not happily welcome a well known food critic to sample the food and write a favourable review? Would the rich not welcome an opportunity to contribute to a charity or cause of their choice and get some recognition in the process?
So perhaps it is the ability of the dresser, rich person, or chef to choose whose attention they want to welcome.
It is, perhaps, a matter of targeting the right audience versus just broadcasting to all; including those who the sender of the message wanted nothing to do with.
Absolute freedom stops at the ability to scream "fire" in a crowded theater. Is there an equivalent line for dressing?
Raffi reminded me that provocative dressing included choosing to dress all covered up where face recognition is the norm.
What an interesting world we live in!
I happen to live in TO where they did the "slut walk" in response to an ignorant comment made by a TO police officer where he "supposedly" said the woman was asking to be abused due to her dress. It brought alot of attention to the misconceptions and negligance of the officer.
ReplyDeleteBut I have to wounder; If a man was attacked due to his maner of dressing would the officer make the same comment? (About the man if he was attacked by a woman while pervocatively dressed?)
I happen to live in an area where men do dress provacatively and it tends to be a matter of sexual or choice and expression. But it seems that when a person dresses a certain way they become a "type" of person, not just a gender. The officer may be, for instance, able to make racist or discriminating comments about those "gay" men, or those "sleezy" females just as interchangable.
While I don't disagree that female discrimination still exists, I think this may be a scenario of racism which effects everbody not merely women.
I also wounder how the officer dresses (when he's off duty) and if any of his training included fashion sense? Then again uniforms due make it easier to call upon forces to protect us from potential threats to our persons or property. And, the Police due a great job at that! One in a barrel, you get the point...
Hope the discussion went well! Peace, VTS
It occurred to me that a parallel example for man may be motorcyclist dressing in heavy leather gear being automatically considered to be part of a gang or some criminal element.
DeleteStereotypes makes it easier for our minds to make sense of the world (even if it is not true) and we like to think that we understand the world.
Thanks for your comment and hope Toronto is treating you well!
Oliver....
Stereotypes do have some truth to them, but some people take them way too far! I just got back from a Public Talk about the Roma Peoples who live in Toronto. They have been racially segregated and mistreated for way too long. Seems like the Canadian Government is doing little to change their constant need for basic survival.
DeleteA stereotypical "Gypsy" leaves us guessing; for it may be difficult to really examine a Gypsy stereotype. But that was the opening topic of a Roma-Hungarian, Canadian born Advocate for the Roma Community Center in TO. Her questions brought laughter and attention to numerous folk tales and stereotypes often associated with the Roma Community.
But folk tales can lead to misleading information, and a stereotype quickly becomes a Stigma or a socially accepted norm that has little basis in reality. Prejudice, and racisim are a social responsibility that needs to be addressed. When I acknowledg the sustained anguish of a legitimate ethnic racial group my views of gypsies becomes less comical and more of a self fullfilling prophecy held firmly in the hands of Nations and communities.
-Nations and communities that I participate in on daily basis.-
On a side note-I still like folk songs and think that people need to form communities and share stories, heartaches and success'. But to remain vigilent to myths and the snow ball effect is crucial to developing healthy communities, and is a responsibility we all share.
VTS
I have been thinking more about stereotypes and they do hold some water. For instance, when I go for job interviews I like to wear a watch 'cause it makes me look punctual and unique 'cause cell phones have made them fairly obsolete. Sticking out at interviews maybe a good thing, but opting for a certain stereotype could be more reassuring for employers. It could help in situations when someone hasn't a whole lot of time to frame who you are. That's the watch I'm talking about-'cause rule number one for interviews is arrive on time....
ReplyDeleteThanks for listening!
VTS