This is what a feminist looks like

I just finished reading Full Frontal Feminism by Jessica Valenti, and I fully recommend it. She has gotten some flak for it for perpetuating feminism as a white women's movement. I disagree, I think that she makes a great effort to be inclusive and to discuss issues facing minority women (I learned some really interesting things--see below). She even devotes a full chapter to intersectionality--the recognition of th einterrelatedness of oppression in all its forms: ageism, sexism, classism, racism, ableism, heterosexism, and many more isms. She's also been criticized for the cover: A bare (thin and flat) belly of a woman. I would point out that usually authors don't have much say in what's on the cover of their books (though I have no idea if that was true in this case). I think that one could interpret her cover is reappropriating the objectification of women's bodies and taking back the female body for something that is womyn-positive. I would much rather see this image on the cover of Jessica's book than on the cover of, for example, Tucker Max's I Hope they Serve Beer in Hell.

Now here's what I learned from Full Frontal Feminism:

• The Los Angeles Times reported in 2005 that Asian American women are increasingly seeking out skin-bleaching creams and medical procedures (pg. 206)
• When Jessica discusses feminist phobia by men, she talks about some of the backlash that her blog (feministing!) recieved. A group of idiots created a parody site to try to undermine it. They put a lot of effort into writing sexist bullshit everyday and mocking Feministing! in anyway possible. On their website they wrote about how feminism ruined American women (presumably by giving them rights and even--heaven forbid--opinions). They wrote that Asian women were "real" women because they were submissive. (pg 190-191)

That made me sick to my stomach to read, but I am so glad that Jessica wrote it in her book. First of all, Asian women are not submissive (duh). If I see another Asian American girl held to some imaginary fucked up idea of the exotic, demure, non English speaking (and therefore just a fuckdoll that doesn't talk) import, I will scream. Fuck that, if I see any other Asian womyn--no matter who she is or where she's from--conceptualized like that I will fucking scream.

This idea is perpetuated by, and began with (way back in the 50s) the pornography industry. Which now is about as mainstream as you can get. A 60 minutes show revealed that huge, American corporations--like Ford and Hilton Hotels--are deeply invested and tied to the porn industry. But of course they would never admit to that and have done an excellent job keeping that a secret. I'm not against sex work. I think that it could be a valid, regulated profession if only it were decriminalized both legally and socially. But right now, sex work in all forms--escourt services, sex phone lines, prostitution, exotic dancing, magazines, and pornography--is controlled by men who are getting rich by exploiting women and by spreading and perpetuating stereotypes like disease through our society. Look at escourt ads in magazines (this was also pointed out by Jessica in her book). They are all nothing but stereotypes: big-booty blackwomen; "spicy" Latinas; exotic and skinny Asians; demure housewife types; or all American blonde college gals.

We already know that pornography gives people (not just guys, all people who watch porn--meaning the most commonly consumed porn directed at heterosexual guys) the wrong ideas about what sex is like. A blowjob follwed by jack hammer penetration while the woman screams and makes faces that actually look painful. Porn also gives the wrong idea about what pussy's look like-tiny and bare with small clits and symmetrical lips. Neither of these is true, by the way.

Porn also gives people the worng idea about womyn, especially womyn of color. I could go through all the times boys have asked me, "So, ah, is it true, you know, what they like, say about Asian Chicks?" But then I'd get depressed. But I will share one truly horrifying moment. Once, at a party, a boy had the actual stupidity (I would never call it nerve) to ask me if it's true that Asian chick's pussys were so tight because they were sideways....

Do you think I could make that up even if I wanted to? I swear it actually happened.

Besides, the fact that it is physiologically impossible, shit for brains,...What the fuck? I'll leave you guys to think about this racist, sexist, disgusting, degredating question of his. In fact, now that I think about it I remember that it wasn't even a question. He said it as a definitive statement. And turned to me for verification.

Yes friends, it happens. And I know I'm not alone here.

Thought about that? ok...now go to Good Vibes and get yourself some decent porn.