Seems we just can’t get enough of glamourizing or ridiculing violence against women these days. The latest episode people are buzzing about is the rape-as-fantasy ad pulled by Dolce & Gabanna (thanks to my fellow Media Watch board members and Feministing.com for the tip).
D&G defended the ad as “artistic,” meant to “recall an erotic dream, a sexual game.” Doesn’t look like a lot of fun to me.
Update: I bet it doesn’t look like fun to this girl, either. Four boys from her high school are being tried for allegedly slipping her a date rape drug, taking turns sexually assaulting her and recording it on their cell phones. I wonder if ads like this naturalize this type of behaviour as something that’s ok.
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four comments
I think we have to be careful how we approach this.
I don't think this ad is as obviously offensive as some previous blogged-about examples (The No Means Have Another T.) Truth is, in my book, those who participate in BDSM practice and date-rape fantasy are common, not to mention consenting adults who have a right to be respected like any other group. For me this ad is a pictorial gray area where private desire meets public politics.
Having said that, this is an ad for public mainstream consumption, so it does have a certain degree of responsibilty and of course the potential to set up a status quo that is disrespectful and threatening to women.
It's very, very tricky territory that we have to negoatiate very, very carefully. What doesn't look like fun to one could be fun to another, provided that all parties are consenting and informed.
Perhaps the print ad viewing public is not, as a whole, ready to understand the fringe fantasies of the minority and can read this an invitation to rape - thereby certainly justifying the pulling of the campaign. I just think it's important to phrase the (our) argument against it in a way that recognizes that for certain individuals this can certainly be read as a depiction of a safe, valid and consenting "erotic dream" or "game."
Posted by Stacey May
March 7, 2007, 9:57 PM
Seems we just cant get enough of glamourizing or ridiculing violence against women these days. The latest episode people are buzzing about is the rape-as-fantasy ad pulled by Dolce & Gabanna.This article is very interesting for self defense and martial arts.
click on this link to get more information
violence
Posted by Ralph Charlton
March 8, 2007, 5:29 AM
The Star article on the group sexual assault is so horrifying. It's like something that would happen on Law and Order - and I always assume those shows to be unrealistic.
It makes me think that while we are pushing to create solidarity, increased self-esteem and empowerment for teenage girls we also need to be having workshops for teenage boys - something, anything to help them grow up in a pretty messed up culture, where gang rape and misogyny are hott.
Posted by Thea
March 9, 2007, 9:35 AM
Here are the 3 most enlightening & persuasive comments, in my opinion, from the Feministing review:
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Good ones to take away, in my opinion, for real-life discussions on the issue.
Posted by Katie
March 13, 2007, 4:26 PM
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