The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #65846   Message #1087976
Posted By: Jeri
07-Jan-04 - 10:55 AM
Thread Name: BS: Misogynist Kodak Moments
Subject: RE: BS: Misogynist Kodak Moments
It's all about perceptions. The page might have been created by someone who really believes women should be treated like slaves, or it might be a friendly piss-take in the ongoing War of the Sexes. Someone who's had good relationships might see it one way, someone who's been around male chauvinists and abusers might see it another.

Personally, it used to bother me when I was a mechanic and another woman constantly asked men in the shop to do the heavy stuff for her. She wasn't injured and didn't lack strength, but it wasn't 'seemly' for her to carry an 80-lb battery around, and it might ruin her manicure. The other women all did all of their own work. Sometimes we'd help the guys and sometimes the guys would help us, but it wasn't expected. If anyone had happened to see me lifting an engine out of heater for a guy with a bad back, would they have thought I was being taken advantage of?

Manicure-woman once had someone cut out and stick styrofoam boobs on her toolbox. She raised holy hell and accused a couple of guys of doing this evil deed, until another woman confessed. She, apparently, was fed up with the 'I Am Woman and I Can Only Do Dainty Jobs' attitude. (Of course, the boob-gluer was a silicone-sealant psycho who later glued the boss's coffee cup to his desk, but that's another story.)

Humor about persecution only works if those who see it haven't 'been there' or closely identify with those who have. The images don't bother me, but I can sure understand how the collection of them on this particular page, without commentary, might bother someone else.