SpongeBob and Sexualization Don't Mix!

Hot on the heels of the NEK-AVP's latest panel discussion about the objectification of women in the media, Burger King aired this commercial featuring kids' TV icon Spongebob Squarepants, references to "booty" and women dancing around behind the "king" like a hip-hop video. Check it out and then join the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood let Burger King know this ad doesn't cut it.

A Culture of Violence, Part 2: Women in Advertising

A Culture of Violence, Part 1: Masculinity

Here is the first installment in our partnership's exploration of cultural tolerance and support of violence, in particular gendered violence. Feedback is heartily welcomed, as we are determining how/if to take the next step.

Burton Snowboards & the First Amendment

This opinion piece was published in the Caledonian-Record on 11/4/08, by Julie Hansen, director of The Stevens School in Peacham. Today's Caledonian editorial predictably offers an attacking and poorly reasoned counter-argument (click here for the editorial).

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As a member of the national network of First Amendment Schools, the Stevens School takes interest in the current controversy with the new Burton Boards’ graphics on their snowboards. The corporation contends that the images of nude women and self-mutilation fall under the protection of free artistic expression. It would be good to remind them that the First Amendment guarantees protection from governmental intrusion on free expression, not on the public’s rejection of images it deems objectionable. Further, it is important to remember that, in exchange for the protections on individual liberties, there exists an exchange. The governed must uphold a commitment to protecting and promoting the common good.

If Burton wishes to continue the argument of free expression, it is then important to examine the decisions of the courts with regard to the limits of free expression and the common good. First Amendment protections for obscenity and pornography have limited themselves to images entertained by adults. In Miller v California, 1973, the Court set guidelines to consider when determining what constitutes obscenity and pornography. These include:

• Whether the average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find that the work, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest;
• Whether the work, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.

In another First Amendment case, Chaplinsky v New Hamphsire, the court said that “obscene . . . words . . . are no essential part of any exposition of ideas, and are of such slight social value as a step to truth that any benefit that may be derived from them is clearly outweighed by the social interest in order and morality.”

I would suggest that the above standards make clear that the images of naked Playboy Bunnies, cut hands dripping with blood and burn marks representing self-mutilation on a snowboard, in no way elevate public discourse or civic concern for the welfare of the common good. Indeed, Burton’s statement on a web page reinforces their desire merely to shock: “Board art has long been cutting edge, RAW and off the cuff . . . always in your face.” We must ask, “In our face for what?” What is the political or artistic value that is promoted? And if we have to ask then your point has not been adequately made.

Surely, the adult members of the corporation are aware that self-mutilation is a pathology that is harming too many of our young people. Surely the adult members are aware of the connection between violence against women and the objectification of the female image.

That the snowboards are purchased by consumers over the age of eighteen does not adequately respond to the concerns of the community at large. The boards will find their way to the slopes. The cross-over from the adult world to the children’s world changes the dynamic of the “free expression” argument to one that must address the responsibility to those in the larger community who will forced to view them. Schools across the state participating in ski programs sponsored for elementary students risk exposing children to images that they are not equipped to view.

In deciding Tinker v des Moines, another First Amendment case, the Court said that “students do not shed their Constitutional rights at the school door.” Equally, corporations do not shed their responsibilities to the communities in which they live and operate.

We hope that a comprehensive public discussion will ensue in the upcoming weeks. We need to hear from the managements of the ski resorts who sponsor the school ski days during the winter. We would want to be assured that our students participate in a program that understands its responsibilities toward safeguarding our younger generations. We are all responsible for the protection of our nation’s children, for building citizens for the future. One of the marks of maturity is to control impulses that gratify only ourselves, to make reasoned decisions that consider the consequences of our actions and to consider the implications of our actions.

There is a greater good and Burton has chosen to relinquish its responsibilities to that greater good.

Burton Love Snowboards - a letter to Donna Carpenter

This is a letter I'm sending to Donna Carpenter, wife of Jake Burton Carpenter, along with a copy of Female Chauvinist Pigs by Ariel Levy.

Dear Donna,

I’m writing to you based on our shared experiences as women, business owners, mothers and athletes, to share my concerns about the use of women’s bodies to sell snowboards. I also direct the 24 hour crisis and advocacy program for victims of domestic and sexual violence in the three counties of the Northeast Kingdom, so I spend my days dealing with the consequences of a society where women are treated as less-than. But I want to appeal to you on a much more personal level.

I am a mother of two young girls who are assaulted on a daily basis with unrealistic imagery of female bodies and dangerous depictions of sexuality which portray women and girls as sexual commodities. We’ve gotten rid of cable and are selective about the toys and games our girls have. But knowing that we need to prepare our girls for the rest of the world, we have conversations about cultural context: who creates these images and why? Who benefits and who suffers?

My girls are active and athletic, in addition to their many other gifts. I was also athletic growing up – as a taller than average girl I reveled in the sense of strength and empowerment that sports gave me. And, like many girls and women, I dealt with coaches who used their positions of power and proximity to engage in unwanted contact and innuendo. Two years ago, when I took up running again to reclaim my strength and well-being after childbirth, I fell right back into this feeling of exposure and vulnerability. I am routinely stared at, occasionally “hooted” or honked at, but more serious things have happened, too. Like the time an entire road crew came to a halt and lined up along the road to silently watch me run by.

I’ve been involved in the protests and other activism against the LOVE snowboards, and time after time people who know you or know of your history of backing women’s causes are left scratching their heads. Where is your voice in this? It’s so inconsistent with all you’ve been building at Burton with your women’s initiatives. I will continue to speak out about this – and other examples of porn making its way into places and media that parents used to think were not only safe, but positive alternatives to support their children’s healthy physical, social and emotional development. I don’t expect that Burton will change its position on the Love and Primo lines – it’s clear from the lack of engagement and dismissive email statements that the corporate heels are dug in deep. But I offer the enclosed book as a resource for you as a woman leader, in the hopes that future decisions at one of Vermont’s great success stories don’t leave so many of us feeling disheartened and ashamed.

I wish you and your family well.

Excellent Opinion Piece in the Times-Argus

Click on the link above to read an informative, thoughtful opinion column about how to effectively respond to sexual violence, written by AWARE's Children's Services Coordinator Amy Hornblas. Kudos to Amy for this critical information, and Kudos to the Times-Argus for printing it.

A Response to the Cal-Rec Editorial

Here's my letter to the editor, which I expect will run this week:

To the Editor:

It has taken me a few days to respond to the misleading and patronizing editorial about the Community Safety and Sexual Violence Forum published on September 25th – I’ve been busy running the organization that offers support and resources to victims of sexual assault in the Northeast Kingdom.

One unique and telling aspect of the discussion about mandatory minimum sentences and residency restrictions for sex offenders is the diversity in the groups who oppose them, from law enforcement to prosecutors to victim advocates to defense attorneys. Fiscal conservatives belong in this group as well, since most of the provisions in Jessica’s Law require substantial new funding (without which they are unenforceable), and are not supported by evidence of their effectiveness. In fact, there’s evidence that these measures may decrease community safety, resulting in fewer convictions for a crime that already has one of the lowest prosecution rates and highest acquittal rates. The reality is that very few of the victims we see at Umbrella choose to report their crimes to authorities for a variety of complex reasons. The main focus of our efforts needs to be prevention and education, which promise much better dividends in community safety and the reduction of sexual abuse.

Advocates at Umbrella and around the state probably have contact with more victims of sexual violence than any other entity – including adults who were sexually abused as children. We are 100% supportive of efforts that will increase safety for victims and accountability for sex offenders. We believe that the most effective path to justice is the one guided by evidence and the experiences of the thousands of survivors of violence who have been served by Umbrella over the years – not by emotional reactions to horrific events.

The issues at hand are too complicated and important to be explored via editorials and letters to the editor. An audience member at the community forum suggested that the Caledonian-Record dedicate some resources to reporting on the current realities of sex offender management in our region, and educating the public on what to do if they suspect sexual abuse. I hope the paper will take up this challenge.

Michelle Fay

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I received a call from reporter Taylor Reed after submitting the article, expressing his continued interest in doing a series of articles.