Body Policing

Offensive comments made by Trump.

The policing of women’s bodies, in my opinion, has forced us to under value and under appreciate a woman’s body and even more so within communities that are mostly made up of people of color. With how they are looked at and often viewed on t.v., and even in music, it's hard to argue that they aren’t valued mostly as objects for sexual pleasure or just to be simply put, that they truly have no dominion over their own God given being. Not only is this the message that gets communicated, but also in my opinion, another message that become apparent is the fact that they have to view themselves as always second. Second to their male counter parts, or just what society deems them to be. This means second to different opinions rather than first, in what they believe right for themselves. This leaves the door open for an assault of women’s bodies, rather than the protection, humility, and respect for another human being. This truth can be seen when women, and women of color in particular go to the doctors about their health. Often they aren’t heard out about their own pains because of what doctors might believe is the better choice or just what they rather neglect. We even have a current sitting President, who’s on record stating to grab women by their private parts, which is a blatant assault on the woman body.  

There are a few states in America and even a ongoing debate amongst politicians around abortions and birth control, and things of the reproductive nature.

I think the purpose of all these things again, is to reinstate that male dominance, and male gaze, to continuously push forth a patriarchal system to further hold woman back rather than be viewed respectfully so as equals. When we analyze who’s really behind this agenda, while one can argue it's a generational thing, in my opinion it's seems to be an old, white, male legislation, and usually just those with money and enough power to dictate media. It then gets reinforced on minor, but still largely impactful levels, like t.v., music, and other various multi-media platforms. I say impactful because this is where we see the ideas and actions become normalized. If you constantly see women on television in nudity, as sex objects, and/or being abused playing roles that make them seem less than, then add in the mix of derogatory  music and other images on social media, that depict women as less then as well, suddenly this idea becomes socially acceptable and the norm.

Newley US House of Rep Elect from Kansas, Sharice Davids.

To combat these things ideas, I see various women celebrities and women activists, coming out and encouraging women to embrace and define their own femininity for themselves through social media hashtags, marches, and other uses of their freedom of speech . Amber Rose, a celebrity who’s fame is somewhat based around her sexuality and who’ often been no stranger to shaming usually hosts an annual #SlutWalk where women gather to combat body shaming, sexuality shaming, and other ways used to demean women. Tarana Burke, a feminist and women’s activist created a hashtag titled #MeToo where women who have been victims of assault and rape, have the platform to come together and share their stories and be heard knowing they aren’t alone in their struggle. There are also a few newly elected women now in congress like Sharice Davids, the first lesbian Native American congresswoman, who along with others are challenging the status quo that women cant be in and handle positions of power. All the while being considered radicals for trying to change legislation around various areas like healthcare, education, and women’s rights for pro-choice. Now to hurt how women's bodies and sexuality are viewed, it seems like media simply neglects to have proper representation or might even take it a step further to not show positive perspectives at all. I believe though, with the slow progress that has been made like women in congress, with many more small victories like those, it will be only a matter of time before the narrative surrounding, women, their bodies, and their sexuality gets put in the right light.

Taken at Rose's Slut Walk.