Posts by Emma Hart

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  • Up Front: They Have the Best Rides,

    And yes, isn't this what is good about the internet: viewpoints and voices previously simplified and stereotyped (to a degree even Hollywood would find lobotomized) are heard.

    Indeed, it seems absolutely screamingly obvious, and yet I still see people saying things like "I don't know what these women (always women) are thinking, but I imagine..." followed by something quite, ironically, patronising.

    And I should add that these people, in openly blogging as sex workers, open themselves up to an astonishing amount of abuse. Ren's had 'don't come crying to me when you get raped' from a radfem. I'm very happy that NZ feminist blogging doesn't seem to include that kind of bile.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Rain on his parade,

    But isn't there a distinction between Pornography (implies violence etc) and Erotica.

    Functionally? No. In discussion I'd rather use the term 'sexually explicit material', because 'porn' has overtones of violence which is missing from most porn, and erotica sounds like it's sweet and fluffy, which it certainly isn't. Labelling is more dependent on the intended market than the actual content.

    Also, 'violence' can be a strong element in sexual fantasy. There's a sharp difference between 'violent' and 'non-consensual'.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Rain on his parade,

    I acknowledge individual women's active role in this type of situation, and also the bigger picture where power is negotiated and the playing field is not level. No easy answers.

    Sacha, I think I have some blogs you'd find interesting. I should probably save myself some time and work up a post.

    And I wanna know how come Lucy turns lesbian and Russell gets her address...

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Rain on his parade,

    Emma, I'm very interested in hearing your take on today's parade - if you can just ignore the temptation to respond to the way it is being framed by others including our revolting troll.

    I guess I'm not done here, then.

    I'm pissed (and the reason I've been staying out of this is that I get very, very pissy) that nobody, on either side, appears to be interested in what the women on the bikes think. We've legalised prostitution, but not done a lot about, y'know, respecting sex workers. Treating them like individual human beings, and not extensions of Steve Crow.

    And I agree, completely, with Dylan. There is NO causal link between pornography and violence against women. As the availability of porn has increased, violence against women has not only decreased, but also become less acceptable. (I'm not saying, BTW, that A causes B, just that there's no link between them.)

    Sweeping statements about pron are usually made by people who don't watch it. I prefer to listen to the people who are involved in the industry. Just as, when it comes to talking about what sex work is like, I prefer to listen to sex workers.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Rain on his parade,

    I haven't seen it and I know it's pornography.

    Well I think I'm done here.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report Reply

  • Field Theory: Playing Catch Up,

    a way for poorer gentlemen to show their virility to potential wives

    Oo er - rather puts the Boobs on bikes in perspective.

    Ah! Now I understand cycle shorts.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report Reply

  • Island Life: Who else is here for the punishment?,

    Wow, that was really interesting.

    I'm afflicted by a small voice in my head that, every time I hear the name of this race, says 'Anyone know how to Maddison?'. It's sad, really.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Rain on his parade,

    I'm tempted to check in with the usual suspects, and watch her being pilloried from both the loony left and the rabid right as a 'judicial activist' or a rape-enabler.

    Oh, it doesn't take much time, there was a 'Your Views' on the article at Stuff. I was, well, 'interested' by the number of commenters opposed to the parade who found it necessary to use the word 'skank' while expressing their opinions.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report Reply

  • Southerly: Primary School for Beginners,

    My only memory of New Entrants' was the aftermath of a trip to the local aviary. Despite being told, several times, not to put our fingers through the cage wire, a boy had done it. Once we got back to school, our teacher explained that the boy had disobeyed, then actually put him across his knee, and very coldly and firmly smacked him several times.

    Because, you see, putting his fingers through the wire might have got him hurt. It was for his own good really.

    From what I've seen of my kids at a schol that really honestly does TRY, the 'punch you in the face' boy bully is very effectively dealt with, but how to manage the 'now nobody will talk to you and you'll find your bag in the toilet' girl bully is still a mystery.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report Reply

  • Up Front: Not Such a Hard Word After All,

    OTOH, I might well forgive the person who gave me this.

    (Yes, I'm linking to Cake Wrecks, but at least it's on a weekend.)

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report Reply

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