If you read my last post you would know that I am in the process of addressing the elephant in the room. We all have our own opinions that we attempt to share because we want to receive feedback. I have yet to receive feedback on my last post which makes the subsequent posts pointless to write.
So, basically this is my appeal to everyone who reads my blog regularly, and even those of you that don't, to leave comments with your thoughts and feelings of the subject matter. If you haven't read the first post, please go back and read that one before you answer this next question. I want you to understand, or at least attempt to, my perspective of objectivity and exactly what it is that I am addressing.
What exactly does it mean to objectify a woman, or a person for that matter? What form does objectivity come in?
I appreciate you all in advance for your help and cooperation. Thank you!
4 comments:
It is funny that you write this because I always listen to music that is not fit for a lady and shuld offend me and all I say is they not talking about me b/c I do not do those things that these rappers are talking about in order to be the topic of a rap song. I will never forget my mom hearing Life After Death Skit of Biggie talking about $h!ting on a female and she was shocked beyond being shocked! My response was they are not talking about me!
I just read a post from a friend of mine on FB that is in DC for the weekend and it reads as follows
"Jese Lewing Gary Its a shame that you can't tell which ladies are whores or just dressing whorish. Lol. There's a big difference between sexy and slutty!"
So what does that say about the women in the DC area.....Ummmm a lot obviously....so I try to show some type of respect for myself and keep my clothes classy not trashy, watch my mouth and what comes out of it and make sure I am not put in a postion to be talked about in a negative light. So you can only be objectified if you allow it no if ands or buts about it!
People are objectified everyday. It's not always sexual and there's really nothing the person who is being objectified can do about it nor are they always aware of it. The action is not thiers, it belongs to the viewer. You can change the way you dress but there will always be someone for whom you are no more than an object. To objectify is simply to externalize your feelings onto someone. It could be a good thing or not. I guess I just choose to believe that objectification, like self-esteem, is a personal problem. It all depends on the lens through which one views the world. As a society we can try ensure that the lens is filled with images that are considered pro-social but ultimately the choice on how to view the world isn't ours(society)...it belongs to the viewer. And no it's not an issue that is particular to any one group-men and women of all races, creeds and cultures deal with this.
Just My Two Cents...
Hey Jarrett! I followed your instructions and read the previous posts. Thanks for initiating this conversation.
I think in life, we pick our battles. If you choose to pick the battle where you don't listen to, shake to, or acknowledge music that objectifies women or people of color, you have picked a difficult battle. There are very few places for you to party and a lot of radio stations for you to ignore. To those who pick that battle, I applaud you. I'm not ready!
Re your question: To objectify someone is to not look at a person, usually a woman, as a whole being. When you focus on a woman's physical attributes (butt, breasts, etc) or certain skills, (ass clapping, prowess in the bedroom) you're objectifying them.
Women do it too. You should have heard the comments I make whenever I see Idris Elba. (ooooh, I love that swag, that accent, etc). If Mr. Elba ever heard the things I said about him, he couldn't be expected to take me seriously.
It isn't right, it isn't fair, and it often has grim consequences when the generation behind us, who is shaping their ideas about women and men overhear them.
My solution? Be mindful that entertainment and reality are two different things. Although Two Short says his favorite word is "Bitch", it doesn't have to be yours.
Also, I heard a sermon the other day that made this analogy. Our mind is a sponge. As you're listening to Uncle Luke, Jigga, Trey Songz, etc you're filling your sponge with murky water. When someone squeezes you, that's what will come out. However, fill your mind with positive thoughts, energy, a little Lupe, some of the Word, or whatever Holy Book you read), and that's what will be reflected in your actions, words, decisions. I let dirty water in my sponge; it's fun to get a little dirty sometimes. :) But, I work to fill it with good stuff too.
Also in response to Anonymous' comment, that the speaker is not "talking to you" when he says those things... I disagree. Who is he/she talking to then? If we are the audience, and they are the performers.... he/she is certainly talking to you when you says, "Get low, bounce that ass on the floor!" He didn't say your name, because he meant you, your friends, and anyone else under the sound of his/her voice. he didn't have time to say ALL your names. lol!
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