Boys 2, Girls Zero-- DU home page voting article photo: Nobody wins

[omega minimo]

A comment, a question, but first a disclaimer:
I love DU. The following is intended as constructive criticism.

The DU home page today featured an essay titled, “A Clear Choice: Coming of Voting Age in America” by Bryan M. Russell. The photo at the top of the page showed two young white males gazing down at a ballot and a box. (For some reason it took both of them to stick it in). One white boy-- okay, fine. Two white boys-- what’s up with that? This is the only photo available to illustrate this vital issue?

Where were all the girls that day? Were they busy holding up half the sky? Or out looking for the “balls” that will save the Democratic Party, the nation and the planet?

This is visual framing. The message being sent is that (white) boys represent a general population “coming of voting age in America.” Girls are incidental and literally out of the picture.

Even on DU, “he” “him” “guys” “man” are supposedly generic and inclusive of females; “balls” is supposedly generic and inclusive of females; a photo illustration of two males is supposedly generic and representative of females... as an AFTERTHOUGHT. “Man” is the primary being and even on DU, females are ancillary, an extension, an extra rib.

Here’s why this matters:
--Voting reform and issue “framing” are both hot items on DU and vital to turning the Titanic U.S. around before it hits the iceberg.
--Being consistent with our values in our speech and outreach will benefit our common goals (all of these of course being up for discussion, but isn’t equal rights for women a Democratic value?)
--The social problems and toxic institutions we are dealing with are heavily weighted toward violence, dominance and mercenary behavior typically generalized as “male.” INCLUDING WOMEN IN EVERY ASPECT OF OUR EFFORTS IS VITAL TO SUCCEEDING. At the very least, this means recognizing the existence of women and not perpetuating all-male imagery (treating women as if they should assume they are included).

It ain’t “balls” that are gonna save us. Anyway, so far the best example of Democratic “balls” in recent memory is Barbara Boxer standing for the American people in the Senate on January 6th. ALONE.

It’s time for women to come out of the closet and DU’ers to have the GUTS to talk the talk and walk the walk, consistent with Democratic values, including R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

Don’t leave women out of the picture.



Nuts:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=3406700&mesg_id=3407738

Balls:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=3406946&mesg_id=3406946&page=


:bounce: :bounce:
---:wow:

[tkmorris]

1. You gotta be kidding

Right?

[omega minimo]

4. It's a simple concept

Old habits die hard

[brainshrub]

2. I think you're reading to much into the picture.

Although I did wonder why two people were needed to put a ballot in a box.

[omega minimo]

6. Just because you don't see it

Doesn't mean it isn't there

:hi:

[Eloriel]

10. Especially when they have VESTED interest in NOT seeing it

Gotta protect all that (white) male privilege, dontcha know?

Great comments, btw. I like your style. :D

[proud patriot]

3. Hi omega minimo

To ensure Democratic Underground Administration
sees these concerns , please re-post them in the
Ask The Administration Forum .

proud patriot
Democratic Underground
Moderator

[Steel City Slim]

5. Huh?

[omega minimo]

7. So far you "guys" are proving my point

This is news to you?

Isn't it great to be so privileged and not even have to THINK about it?

[tkmorris]

9. Proving your point?

By not agreeing with you? That's an interesting idea. It is utterly without merit, but it is interesting.

Racism and sexism are rampant still in America, tis true. It is also true that it manifests itself in subtle ways, easily overlooked even by those who think they are enlightened. Sometimes though it's just a couple of white guys in a picture. It is very hard to make an assumption based upon a "group" of just two people without more evidence that something is amiss.

[omega minimo]

15. You proved my point by not saying anything

except a patronizing putdown. Oh wait, here's another one!
"It is utterly without merit, but it is interesting."

"It is very hard to make an assumption based upon a "group" of just two people without more evidence that something is amiss."

What was amissed was the opportunity to bring together several DU themes:
value of voting
democracy in action
framing
reaching "the people"
inclusivity
human (including women's) rights


Missed opportunity to utilize what every good DU'er knows is the power of the image and the word, in dangerous times.

I stated why this is important as clearly as possible in the initial post. Perhaps you are making assumptions about my assumptions.

The main point is one of actions integrated with values, relevant to DU, our common goals and our future successes.

:toast:

[tkmorris]

16. Nothing patronizing about it.

I would also argue that it isn't a "putdown" quite, since it's intent was not to mindlessly degrade you. It was instead an accurate description of my opinion on your argument. I stand by it without shame.

You also said:

What was amissed was the opportunity to bring together several DU themes:
value of voting
democracy in action
framing
reaching "the people"
inclusivity
human (including women's) rights

That's true I suppose but it's just a picture. Two people in it total. Do you know why they chose that picture? I do not. Perhaps it was the most topical one available using whatever resource they use for such things. Perhaps they took it themselves and the only two available to pose that day WERE in fact two young whitish looking guys. Who knows? You don't.

In fact, if we were to try to take a picture that included all possible DU themes (what exactly those are would make a good thread on its own) what would we need? Black woman? Yes, one please. Black man too. In fact we'll need a couple of seniors as well, lest we leave them out. We can't include those without including Hispanics too, and Asians. One of them should have a seeing eye dog, so we can reach out to handicapped people.

It can get pretty silly taken to it's logical extreme.

In another post you refer to your responder's posts as "monosyllabically minimizing". I'm not sure where you get such things from, but I thank you anyway. People have been telling me for years that I tend to overutilize the language needlessly; now that I am monosyllabic I suppose I am much improved. As for minimalizing, well, I suppose I think you're making a mountain out of a molehill. If it really is a mountain than you're correct, I'm minimalizing. I don't think so but I have been wrong twice this year so far so who can say?


Let's put it behind us though shall we? I stipulate that there is in fact a great deal of opportunity for framing issues in ways that demonstrate our beliefs and help our common causes, and welcome the chance to work together to make that happen. We are on the same side after all.

[omega minimo]

17. "You gotta be kidding. Right?"

is what you wrote.

"In another post you refer to your responder's posts as "monosyllabically minimizing". I'm not sure where you get such things from, but I thank you anyway."

"I would also argue that it isn't a "putdown" quite, since it's intent was not to mindlessly degrade you. It was instead an accurate description of my opinion on your argument. I stand by it without shame."

"It can get pretty silly taken to it's logical extreme."
Then don't take it there. I realize there were logistics involved in the choice to use that photo. The use of THAT photo provided an example to raise these ideas, which, given the indifferently defensive responses, NEED to be addressed on DU.

Let the Repugs be the party of bullying liars. Let's be the party of actions integrated with ideals-- i.e. the party of INTEGRITY.



DU themes:
value of voting
democracy in action
framing
reaching "the people"
inclusivity
human (including women's) rights

[davepc]

8. I can think of a lot better ways to fight the phallacracy

then nitpicking photos.


Funny thing, sometimes when your looking for something you find it everywhere.

[Eloriel]

11. Sometimes you find it everywhere because that's exactly where it is

EVERYWHERE.

[davepc]

12. Yeah, sure. DU is oppressing women

The proof is in the photo. I mean, its RIGHT THERE on the front page.

[omega minimo]

13. You nailed it in a nutshell with "phallacracy"

then had to add an insult.

Funny thing, sometimes when you're ignoring something you miss it everywhere.

Even funnier is that the replies to this concept are all coming from males who are PROUDLY MISSING THE POINT and monosyllabically minimizing, putting down the point of view....THEREBY PROVING THE POINT.

When you reincarnate as a non-white male, then tell us if it's "nitpicking" and "looking for something" to simply observe that you are not in the picture, not in the vocabulary, not in the big chair.

In the meantime, what "lot better ways to fight the phallacracy" you got?


:bounce: :kick:

[w4rma]

14. Good grief. (nt)