PETA is up to its old tricks again, in a protest against the Ringling Brothers circus in Houma, Louisiana. A female PETA activist was painted in orange and sat in a cage on a busy street corner wearing only a bra and underwear. The orange paint was supposed to represent the caged tigers that are often featured in Ringling Bros. circus shows.
While I understand the importance of promoting the cruelty of animals in circuses, I can’t help but wonder if PETA is incapable of demonstrating in a way that isn’t sexist or objectifying women. From their track record so far, it doesn’t look good.
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four comments
I don't know what to think on topics like this.
On the one hand, I see how it's another one of those "the only way to make people look is with a half naked woman" thing,(like the organ doner add which almost made me throw my keyboard through the monitor).
But then on the other hand that thought makes me feel like a prude (since I'm deeply a radical free thinking artsy type).
I'm arguing with myself in my mind about it;
...this girl CHOSE to do this, should she be ashamed of her body or not alowed to do this? No. It was her choice and she has the right to express herself however.
But is she doing this because she's been programmed to think that her being half naked is the right way to attract attention? Because media has turned us all into sex-appeal zombies?
Hmmmm...
Posted by sarah
November 19, 2008, 5:54 PM
I'm not sure why women showing skin is always considered objectified.
I believe in sex-positive, pro-choice feminism, and as Sarah said, if you CHOOSE to do something with your OWN body, that is YOUR choice. I think it's quite empowering to use your body the best way you see fit.
I'm not in total agreement with Peta's tactics, and I echo the worry and pressure we feel to do certain things, but in reality, we are up against a lot all the time when we make a decision about anything in today's world. Are different places and circumstances less or more pressured? Absolutely, so informed choice is a right we should all have, while respecting our differences of perspective.
As women we need to support each other and what we do with our own bodies, way more.
Posted by Jessica Yee
November 19, 2008, 6:56 PM
Well, according to an interview with the PETA activists, the only reason the girl was half-naked in the cage was because they knew it was the only way the media would pay attention - and they did. That's where their thinking really starts to bother me.
Posted by Jennifer
November 20, 2008, 10:32 AM
And if she still did choose to do this knowing it was solely to get media attention to the issue, is it still not for her to do?
Posted by Jessica Yee
November 21, 2008, 11:57 AM
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