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mercuryblues

(14,491 posts)
Tue Apr 9, 2013, 05:15 PM Apr 2013

Women's Health leaves nasty taste with 'whore' picture caption

Its front page tells readers "It's good to be you." But the latest issue of Women's Health magazine includes a rather less wholesome sentiment – a picture bearing the caption "Son, see that woman up there, she's a whore."


The unlikely outburst is featured next to a recipe for caramelised pear and buckwheat pudding cake, part of a feature about "maxi cakes for mini people".


The photograph of the cake features two miniature decorative models, one a man carrying a child on his shoulders pointing to a woman carrying a parasol standing on the cake.


"Yoohoo!" the woman is captioned as saying. The man replies: "Son, see that woman up there? She's a whore ..."


http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2013/apr/09/womens-health

pic at the link.

This is in a woman's health magazine. Are women supposed to ignore it because the magazine supposedly supports women? Is it attacking those that support women if you call them out on it?

26 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Women's Health leaves nasty taste with 'whore' picture caption (Original Post) mercuryblues Apr 2013 OP
What the hell are men who presue these women? Angels? As far as am concerned southernyankeebelle Apr 2013 #1
see. this is our raunch society and defender of free speech. everything is possible and probable seabeyond Apr 2013 #2
That makes no sense. nt DURHAM D Apr 2013 #3
It doesn't appear to even relate to the article. I am wondering if some asshole typesetter MADem Apr 2013 #11
we are all the time calling women whores on tv and in our music. it is culturally acceptable. seabeyond Apr 2013 #12
Your attempt to conflate the B word with the W word is not taken. Joan Rivers does "B-word stole MADem Apr 2013 #13
ah. i thought it was the c word also. you know, the UK likes that word. nt seabeyond Apr 2013 #17
This is a protected group. You shouldn't be bringing up issues of differing cultural views and MADem Apr 2013 #19
no. it is a position. you hold that they should be allowed, until you decide they should not. seabeyond Apr 2013 #20
Don't wonder. Bring the topic up OUTSIDE this PROTECTED group. MADem Apr 2013 #22
no, i am not bring "aspersions" to you character. but, when getting to the nitty gritty... seabeyond Apr 2013 #24
I will not fight with you in this protected group and I apologize to the members of this group MADem Apr 2013 #25
it is called a discussion. not a fight. and it is the issue not a derailing. seabeyond Apr 2013 #26
Am I just dense? TDale313 Apr 2013 #4
same here BainsBane Apr 2013 #9
Women can ignore misogyny if they choose. Nothing will change but if that's their goal then oh well redqueen Apr 2013 #5
Looks to me like some internal joke among the editorial or graphic staff that didn't Squinch Apr 2013 #6
I don't understand this BainsBane Apr 2013 #7
I am confused. Z_I_Peevey Apr 2013 #8
The caption in question... Richardo Apr 2013 #10
All the puzzled responses made me smile ruefully... redqueen Apr 2013 #14
But in a publication geared to women? Really? CrispyQ Apr 2013 #16
No, I think it's more likely a 'joke' by an employee... redqueen Apr 2013 #18
that is exactly it. that is the raunch we live. that is what du is demanding. that is what seabeyond Apr 2013 #21
Yep. Exactly. redqueen Apr 2013 #23
??? CrispyQ Apr 2013 #15
 

seabeyond

(110,159 posts)
2. see. this is our raunch society and defender of free speech. everything is possible and probable
Tue Apr 9, 2013, 05:22 PM
Apr 2013

as we literally tear women apart.

arent we all having so fuckin much fun....

MADem

(135,425 posts)
11. It doesn't appear to even relate to the article. I am wondering if some asshole typesetter
Tue Apr 9, 2013, 05:51 PM
Apr 2013

was having a sick little laugh, and didn't remove his offensive "joke" or something.

Makes absolutely no sense. It has nothing to do with sponge cake.

 

seabeyond

(110,159 posts)
12. we are all the time calling women whores on tv and in our music. it is culturally acceptable.
Tue Apr 9, 2013, 05:54 PM
Apr 2013

we should all lighten up. just does not mean the same today, that it did yesterday.

MADem

(135,425 posts)
13. Your attempt to conflate the B word with the W word is not taken. Joan Rivers does "B-word stole
Tue Apr 9, 2013, 05:59 PM
Apr 2013

my look" but she doesn't do "W-word stole my look."

Not fighting with you. Sorry.


Have a nice day.

MADem

(135,425 posts)
19. This is a protected group. You shouldn't be bringing up issues of differing cultural views and
Tue Apr 9, 2013, 06:14 PM
Apr 2013

attitudes about sensitive words and making those sorts of insinations and demands of me--or anyone--in this group. It is just not appropriate.

You can start a thread elsewhere and we can revisit the topic in a forum where all of DU can participate, if you'd like.

Have a nice day.

 

seabeyond

(110,159 posts)
20. no. it is a position. you hold that they should be allowed, until you decide they should not.
Tue Apr 9, 2013, 06:21 PM
Apr 2013

it is very contradictory and honestly.... offensive.

we have used the very argument of the problem with this stuff and you tut tut us and then chat with your friends about how abusive we are to all.

you know what? i watched men ridicule a woman on this board and saw little calling out. a woman that was pm'ed by a rapist that tells her those women raped enjoyed it. then a group of men ridicule her some more. again, not a lot of calling out with an actual human being. member of du. i cannot get this out of my head.

i read about the girl who killed herself over the silly ass word slut. oh.... and being ganged raped and it put on the net. remembering men telling us women that the women should not have ever gotten naked in front of a camera, that it is her fault she is on the net being ridiculed.

and now i see that you are bothered out of the blue, a woman (non existent one at that) is being called a whore.

it leaves me wondering.

MADem

(135,425 posts)
22. Don't wonder. Bring the topic up OUTSIDE this PROTECTED group.
Tue Apr 9, 2013, 06:32 PM
Apr 2013

I think I will copy your post, though, in case you get the "deletion" bug:


seabeyond
20. no. it is a position. you hold that they should be allowed, until you decide they should not.

it is very contradictory and honestly.... offensive.

we have used the very argument of the problem with this stuff and you tut tut us and then chat with your friends about how abusive we are to all.

you know what? i watched men ridicule a woman on this board and saw little calling out. a woman that was pm'ed by a rapist that tells her those women raped enjoyed it. then a group of men ridicule her some more. again, not a lot of calling out with an actual human being. member of du. i cannot get this out of my head.

i read about the girl who killed herself over the silly ass word slut. oh.... and being ganged raped and it put on the net. remembering men telling us women that the women should not have ever gotten naked in front of a camera, that it is her fault she is on the net being ridiculed.

and now i see that you are bothered out of the blue, a woman (non existent one at that) is being called a whore.

it leaves me wondering.


You are casting aspersions upon my character with a "guilt by some vague perceived association" argument from within a protected group, but I will not respond in kind because that's against the rules of this group.

You have a nice day--and if you want to talk about this, you know where to go to do it.
 

seabeyond

(110,159 posts)
24. no, i am not bring "aspersions" to you character. but, when getting to the nitty gritty...
Tue Apr 9, 2013, 06:50 PM
Apr 2013

the discussion is reduced to this.

it was an opportunity to discuss the contradictions i see in your post, and why to me they are so offensive.

MADem

(135,425 posts)
25. I will not fight with you in this protected group and I apologize to the members of this group
Tue Apr 9, 2013, 06:54 PM
Apr 2013

for participating in this DERAILING SUBTHREAD that has nothing to do with the OP, which is addressing a very perplexing and disturbing matter.

As for you, seabeyond, I have said all I have to say to you in this thread. If you want to talk about subjects outside this OP with me, do it in GD.

 

seabeyond

(110,159 posts)
26. it is called a discussion. not a fight. and it is the issue not a derailing.
Tue Apr 9, 2013, 07:30 PM
Apr 2013

Last edited Tue Apr 9, 2013, 09:52 PM - Edit history (1)

and yes, we even have discussions in a protected group. no need to apologize.

TDale313

(7,820 posts)
4. Am I just dense?
Tue Apr 9, 2013, 05:26 PM
Apr 2013

Cause, in addition to being misogynistic, it also just makes no sense to me. Am I missing something?

BainsBane

(53,003 posts)
9. same here
Tue Apr 9, 2013, 05:34 PM
Apr 2013

I've been trying to figure it out, even setting aside the obvious misogyny. What are they trying to say with that caption?

redqueen

(115,096 posts)
5. Women can ignore misogyny if they choose. Nothing will change but if that's their goal then oh well
Tue Apr 9, 2013, 05:26 PM
Apr 2013

And no, calling out misogyny is good. Full stop. It is helpful in the effort to end the cultural acceptance of misogyny.

Squinch

(50,774 posts)
6. Looks to me like some internal joke among the editorial or graphic staff that didn't
Tue Apr 9, 2013, 05:30 PM
Apr 2013

get corrected out before publication.

Because on the face of it, it really doesn't make sense at all.

BainsBane

(53,003 posts)
7. I don't understand this
Tue Apr 9, 2013, 05:32 PM
Apr 2013

I don't understand the point of the misogynist caption, even on it's most basic level. WTF is that supposed to mean? What does it have to do with cake?

Then how could editors think something like that is acceptable, a a magazine on women's health no less?

Z_I_Peevey

(2,783 posts)
8. I am confused.
Tue Apr 9, 2013, 05:33 PM
Apr 2013

Is the tiny plastic woman a whore because she's sitting on a high-calorie dessert?

Is she a whore because she's waving at the tiny plastic man and his tiny plastic son?

Is her parasol too brightly colored?

Did she make so much money whoring that she purchased a very large, cake-like fortress that keeps the plastic man and his son away from the goodies?

Is this some low-level copywriter's idea of a joke?

To quote Stephen Colbert, that's the craziest fucking thing I've ever heard.

redqueen

(115,096 posts)
14. All the puzzled responses made me smile ruefully...
Tue Apr 9, 2013, 05:59 PM
Apr 2013

don't you get it? There doesn't have to be a reason. Calling a woman a 'whore' is 'funny' just because.

CrispyQ

(36,233 posts)
16. But in a publication geared to women? Really?
Tue Apr 9, 2013, 06:03 PM
Apr 2013

I think this is a sick prank by a pissed off employee. If not, then wow, just wow. We've have a much bigger fight than even I realized if a woman's publication thinks this is acceptable.

redqueen

(115,096 posts)
18. No, I think it's more likely a 'joke' by an employee...
Tue Apr 9, 2013, 06:10 PM
Apr 2013

it was the comments wondering how the 'joke' was meant to be funny which inspired my rueful smiling.

 

seabeyond

(110,159 posts)
21. that is exactly it. that is the raunch we live. that is what du is demanding. that is what
Tue Apr 9, 2013, 06:25 PM
Apr 2013

everyone is demanding that we all live and experience every fuckin day.

that was the giggle with the topless gal with putin. fuck the women that had a voice and a job to do. and how they would be silenced with tit jokes. it is all about whorifying a woman at all cost so somewhere in this fuckin universe a man can feel like a man again.

god, please. right fuckin now.

redqueen

(115,096 posts)
23. Yep. Exactly.
Tue Apr 9, 2013, 06:45 PM
Apr 2013

It is simply reinforcing dominanxe, but people call it 'lighthearted' and tell anyone who calls them out that they need to 'get a sense of humor'.

CrispyQ

(36,233 posts)
15. ???
Tue Apr 9, 2013, 06:01 PM
Apr 2013

This has to be an employee sneaking that in at the last minute, don't you think? It's so obvious, an editor could not possibly claim they didn't see the words. ???

It will be interesting to see what WH says.

on edit: May be time for a letter to WH/USA. When those awful Ford ads came out, I sent a letter to Ford/USA & told them, tsk, tsk, one of the drawbacks to the global market place is that it doesn't matter that you had no control over what Ford/some-other-country did, it still reflects on Ford/everywhere. Same here.

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