I was pissed (as were others.) I angrily wrote in the comments:
Long time lurker [here,] just [want] to say this: it can be really discouraging being a woman gamer, and even more discouraging trying to find a blog that publishes pertinent news about video games (re: I don't have to shift through all the sexist crap.) Porn, yeah, fine, it's out there. But really, 4cr was a safe haven for someone
like me, who likes to think that maybe one day women can be thought of as gamers
instead of just wank material.
Nick, from who the post originated, had this to say as a reply:
I knew when I posted this that some would find it offensive. But if you want to see the reasoning behind it, scroll up and read Gregs comment. Amen.
Greg's comment was along the lines of 1) Porn is part of geek culture 2) Just ignore it if it offends you 3) We at 4cr love women! We have relationships with them! 4)What we really need to be concerned about is if children see it. Okay. Well, 1) You can write about porn in geek culture, by all means, but it can be done in a respectful (non-sexist) manner. 2) I'm sick and tired of having to ignore sexist crap on video game blogs just because I'm not a heterosexual guy. 3) Having relationships with women doesn't inoculate you against being sexistst and 4) I'm glad you care more about the other demographics on your blog more than the women gamers who frequent it.
As far as women...… I love women. And I don't mean that in a sexist way. I was raised by my mom, all by herself and I have the utmost respect for women. My ex-girlfriend of 7 years was also very concerned with women's rights and their role in society. I was right there beside her and agree 100% that women deserve better. I understand the hardships women have to face. Yet do I find strippers offensive? No. I know quite a few girls who used to be strippers and these girls know very well what they are doing. Some of them are very savvy and if they can use their bodies to influence people or make a living, they will.
Oh, okay. You, with all of your male privilege in it's undying glory, understand the hardships women face. There is so much wrong with the above paragraph--I don't think I need to touch it with a ten foot pole. It speaks for itself.
That said, I also love the female figure as a work of art. As a fine art painter, all I paint is the human form. Both female and males are beautiful creatures that continually fascinate me.And then of course, I have to admit, I do like sex and sexy women. I've spent time in Italy and my view on nudity is closer to theirs than our generally uptight and overprotective stance here in the US. I believe that people just need to relax and understand the role of sex in society. That's not to say we should abuse it, but it is there and always will be. And of course, sex sells.
Note to self, as informed by Nick: If I hate seeing women objectified, I'm a prude. Also, there are no prudes in Italy. And art is free from objectification.
So, yes, I apologize if I offended anyone, but at the same time, I wont apologize for posting this.In fact, my biggest concern with posting this was that in some way it might cause 4cr to get blocked for people at work. Now that would be a real problem.Translation: Don't get your undies in a bundle. By the way, your issue is nothing compared to inconveniencing the other straight guys when they can't check our blog at work.
My reply, and probably last comment:
Nick, I'm glad you're a heterosexual guy, I really am. I just felt sick about being reminded, yet again, that women are the sex class. Objectification is objectification.
10 comments:
If they really loved the nude form as art, they'd have a beefcake calender up too.
simply ridiculous how some people overreact sometimes. get a life and wake up, this is the real world, not your private paradise..
"simply ridiculous how some people overreact sometimes. get a life and wake up, this is the real world, not your private paradise.."
Yeah, those nerdboys just can't handle when you ask them to think a little bit about others! They always overreact like crazy.
Ragnell-Yes! And I probably should have said something like that.
Hey xtracool--if you want to comment on this blog, you have to do so respectfully. It's a priority of mine to keep this a safe space for feminists. Therefore, no trolling. So, to reply to you, yes this is real life--if it was my private paradise, I'd have no problems. There would be gender parity. But since it's not, I think it's important to point out the instances were women get the short end of the stick.
mary--yes. Guys get mad when you point out their privilege.
Just wanted to say that I saw 4cr post but didn't check out the calendar other than the image posted. Reason being, I already saw something like it in Playboy. This month they have a spread of video game girls nude. To be honest, I didn't really looking at that spread because virtual girls are not a turn on for me. I prefer real women who have curves and meat on their bones.
Also, at least in terms of painting, the nude was based on real people. Artists painted what they saw because they were able to find beauty in the human form. What the calendar does not do is celebrate the human form, more specifically the female form, and instead imposes an ideal figure of women based on far-fetched male fantasies.
One more thing: I like xtracool's hypocrisy. Yes, this is the real world yet that calendar represents YOUR (and most male gamers, excluding me) private paradise: Fake women consisting of fake parts to please their little perverted fantasies.
I don't understand how men (gamers or not) gett off to virtual women. I saw 4cr's post and the image of the calendar. I didn't need to see other images of the calendar because I saw something like it in this month's issue of Playboy (and so you know, I do check out the pictures but I also read the articles and interviews). However, the vg girl spread I did not look over. I prefer real women who have curves and some meat on their bones. Naturalness all the way!
Also, I like xtracool's hypocrisy. Yes, this is the real world yet that calendar (and Playboy spread) represents YOUR (and most other male gamers) private paradise: fake women consisting of fake parts to partake in their perverted fantasies.
oops, I didn't mean to post twice. The first I was having trouble posting. Sorry for the redundancy.
I do hope this doesn't dissuade you from visiting 4cr in the future. To be clear, I understand a couple sides of the argument (there seem to be about 10 different reason pro and con for posting something like this) but if you really enjoy the site that much I hope you wouldn't let one disagreement take you away. Also, I'm glad you stopped lurking... if you chose to continue reading 4cr you should comment more often (it's the only way discussion is spawned).
-Benny (4colorrebellion Staff)
Hey Benny,
Thanks for stopping by and for your comment. I'll still be reading 4cr--I realize that I've put 4cr on the chopping block, when the majority of the other sites are so much worse.
I'll definately try to comment more. :)
came here via 4cr. i agree with a lot of what you said. i get tired of girls being objects in the video game world. i know it probably boosts sales or whatever, but is it worth the sales boosts at the price of our values?
well whatever - i'll stray away from 4cr.
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