Closing Thoughts: FCP free-for-all

[book club, part 4]

“Who doesn’t want to be looked at as a sex symbol?” said Shaina.  “I always tell people, if I had a 23-inch waist and a great body, I would pose Playboy.  You know all those guys are sitting there staring at you, awe-ing at you.  That must be power.”

 This woman’s odd view of female power really struck a chord with me the first time I read it.  I think it clearly illustrates the unfortunate way many women approach their own sexuality: as a tool.  And the primary way to gain some margin of power instead of appreciating and celebrating and enjoying it for its own sake.

But that’s just me.

If there was something about the book that struck you
or got you thinking
or amused you
or if you have a rant
or… whatever, post away!
(I’ll be the first to admit that there was a LOT more that could have been touched on)  
and, Thanks very much to those who commented on this installment of the book club; I hope you enjoyed the book!

[...and check back this weekend for details about the next book...]

Levy on SATC, parte tres

[book club discussion contd.]

a woman's right to shoes- i mean choose! choos?

What discussion of modern American women’s sexuality (and, in this case, conflicted, complex, and layered sexuality) would be complete without mentioning SATC?

food for thought, parte deux

[cont. Book Club discussion: Female Chauvinist Pigs, by Ariel Levy]

let’s talk about young women and girls, for a short moment, shall we? I think some of the most arresting arguments that Levy makes are the ones that pertain to young women and girls; she reminds us that the things we do as women aren’t always without consequence and that our actions, however independent we think they may be, oftentimes, actually aren’t.

Chat up kidz, part uno

Female Chauvinist Pigs is everything I want from Women’s Studies: incisive, biting, well-informed, and filled with those “click” moments; needless to say, I loved reading this book. Thank you, Ariel Levy!

Before we delve into the nitty-gritty dissecting the minutiae of Levy’s assertions, I think I should ask that $40 million dollar question

FCP “temperature check”

Mark your calendars, feminist folk: Target date for book discussion is July 2!

If you haven’t already read the book, this gives you plenty of time to fit it in during your lunch breaks, whilst on the bus, right before bed, or just on one long sunny afternoon in your backyard or neighborhood park. I’ll be finishing it on the beaches of Puerto Rico and will be anxious to discuss it when I return!

In the meantime, check out Ariel Levy (this month’s author) on youtube! Here, Levy briefly discusses Sexual Pleasure vs. Performance. There are five or so like this, described as ‘Excerpts and outtakes from dutch documentary Beperkt Houdbaar with Ariel Levy, author of Female Chauvinist Pigs: Women and the Rise of Raunch Culture.‘ So if you’re in the camp that would like to read and participate, but you can’t find the time to sit down and actually read the darn thing, watch these videos to get the gist of her arguments. (Each video is only 1 – 2 minutes long, so you can easily squeeze them in between your viewings of the sneezing panda and what’s your dad like?)

Until then, T minus 10 days and counting…..

Don’t cha wish your book club was hot like this?

i’m almost done with female chauvinist pigs and i’ve gotta say i not only thoroughly enjoy the book, but i’m super excited to discuss with you all; there’s a lot of debate to be had. for those of you who read not my mother’s sister i think that book was a perfect precursor to this one, with its discussion of a new feminism, a pro-sex feminism, a new wave. agh! i’ll leave my thoughts to myself until discussions start; i believe emily will be posting discussion stuff within about two weeks.

but i wanted to get you guys excited–for those of you who are currently reading or have finished the book, and for those who need a bit of reminding to check it out from the library (or buy it, it’s only $14, forgo a night of drinking for a book!). here’s a few links to gear you all up for the discussion. or just for kicks. all three are great stuff.

JUNE BOOK CLUB

YOU VOTED.

THE WINNER IS………………….

[from the inside book flap]: “Meet the Female Chauvinist Pig–the new brand of “empowered woman” who wears the playboy bunny as a talisman, bares all for Girls Gone Wild, pursues casual sex as if it were a sport, and embraces “raunch culture” wherever she finds it. If male chauvinist pigs of years past thought of women as pieces of meat, Female Chauvinist Pigs of today are doing them one better, making sex objects of other women–and of themselves. They think they’re being brave, they think they’re being funny…[but this author] asks if the joke is on them.”

Intrigued?
GOOD!
now run to your local library, barnes & noble, or amazon.com and start your intellectual engines.