By: The New Hampshirite
By definition I am a feminist. For those of you who are unclear of what a feminist actually is, it is someone who believes that women deserve equal rights and protection from the law as men. Of course, most people do not realize that is the true meaning of the word and often times negative connotations are made with the term"feminism."
That being said, on Thursday April 15th on the Great Lawn in front of Murkland Hall from noon to 3 p.m. an unrecognized UNH organization known as Womyn's Club (they don't want "men" in their name) are holding a fire... ahem... to burn, pornography! According to the facebook event page "Pornography has taken over our sexualities and destroyed our humanity. There are members of the UNH community who believe that pornography encourages and supports violence against women. We want to offer the space and resources for men and women to come and burn their pornography, their partners pornography or any piece of literature/material that relates to or portrays sexual domination, misogyny and racism. This is a way for community members who feel the same way to come together to share their beliefs and support. Remember buying pornography supports and promotes the industry and perpetuates men’s violence against women."
First of all they are calling the event "Women's Equity Fire." Now, I could be wrong, but I think it is supposed to be equality. Kinda missing a few letters in there. You see "Equity" refers to things like money, accounting, stocks, loans, shit like that, anyways moving on...
Secondly, I fail to see how this will accomplish anything other than putting toxins into the air, I mean isn't UNH supposed to be a green campus? Where does this road of burning stuff lead to? Usually when a group forms to burn stuff they don't approve of it can lead to a bad outcome. I feel like book burnings never really solve anything. Also, doesn't everyone just watch internet porn now anyways? I highly doubt anyone will show up and throw their laptop in the fire.
Thirdly, I don't understand how this group was granted permission for this event when other UNH groups can't hold a homecoming fire. Remember how "Burn-a-bear" got shut down even after CommUNHiversity went through every safety precaution necessary?
Fourthly, I honestly don't think that pornography has "destroyed our humanity" or "promotes violence against women." This is the same type of thinking that makes people blame video games and rock music for violence. There is no solid evidence to back these stances up. In fact, there are even more studies and evidence that says there is no correlation between violence and video games or crimes against women and porn. I understand how pornography can be degrading to women, but I'm not sure if this is the right way to go about the issue. I am not attacking this group's stance, I just don't see how lighting shit on fire will do anything proactive for their argument. Now, I am a male and I didn't want to write this without asking the opinions of a few females to see what they thought. Not one of them felt that pornography has increased violence against women or destroyed our humanity.
Stay classy, not UMassy.
(And please don't burn our campus down.)
I'm glad this was blogged about.
ReplyDeleteIs it the word "equity" or "equine" that has to do with horses? What I'm trying to say is that the Womyn's club shouldn't be allowed to burn horses. Burning horses is wrong, end of discussion.
ReplyDeleteI looked up equity on my Mac dictionary and it defines as the act of being unfair or impartial
ReplyDeletewho cares what the fucking word means (it can be either, but usually refers to the economic term, equality would make more sense here) anyways this is fucking ridiculous that they're allowed to do this. there are guys in porn too and there is also women dominated porn. These 'actresses' choose to be in these movies, a lot of them claim to like it, so why can't they just make their living without all these radical psycho feminists bitching about women's equality. I mean porn actresses make more money then their male counterparts, seems fair enough to me!
ReplyDeletelovin' the controversy!
ReplyDeleteSo we can burn "piece of literature/material that relates to or portrays sexual domination, misogyny and racism"?
ReplyDeleteNice, I've been waiting for a chance to burn my copies of The Scarlet Letter, Huckleberry Finn and the bible.
Or is that not what they mean?
there are better things to do than burn porn, like raise money for cancer, building homes in haiti and chile, 'having multiple orgasms', or like me helping sick people in a hospital.
ReplyDeleteI really don't think porn is the problem, it is more of the decision of the girls wanting to be in this industry. It's a choice.
this is stupid. I'm gunna make a porn on T-Hall lawn during their burning.
PS,
can't wait to get shit on for this...
the womyn's whatevers are probably a group of ugly ass non-fuckables on campus who loathe themselves cause no guy or girl would touch them with a 500 foot pole. We have groupies on campus who will suck a dick for a piece of DHop pizza. Pornography on campus isn't the problem... herpes infested sleazebags are...burn them.
...DHOP is that good.
ReplyDeletethe reason were burning porn is to get bring attention to the issue. how can you be so arrogant and say what you do is soooo much better than what other people do in their free time when you so obviously know nothing about the cause? and just so you know i spend a lot of time giving back to society as to a lot of other women in the group. a large percentage of women who are in porn videos have been victims of abuse. sure it's their decision, but don't you think to a certain degree it's actually really upsetting? i mean what could bring a women to actually take part in such a thing? what about all the child pornography that is out there? and 'rape porn'? like im sorry but how can you guys not empathize? im really disappointed with this article and also with our society and especially with the culture of our university. we are privileged to have access to a great education, and this is what we do with it?
ReplyDeletethis is the blog of nonsensical happenings. we can do whatever we want. we dont think its sensible and I personally think there are BETTER ways to flaunt this issue, create a video about it, documentary anything. burning shit is gunna create negative attention.
ReplyDeleteraise money or something. and most people on campus aren't gunna be aware probably because you advertised it wrong and every fucking meathead is gunna be upset about burning porn.
get a job.
I LOVE YOU LADY MEOW MARRY ME.
ReplyDeletei have a job hahah no wonder you're anonymous lady meow.
ReplyDelete" we have access to a great education, and this is what we do with it?" *insert foot in mouth now* So you're saying that burning a bunch of spank tank vids is making use of a great education? GO TO CLASS. MAKE USE OF YOUR ACCESS TO EDUCATION.
ReplyDeleteAlex, if you have a job, how about to donate your hard earned money to charities that help eradicate sex slavery and trade? THATS SEX ABUSE AND DOMINATION. Burning shit on a lawn of a campus isn't going to get women to stop sucking dicks for money. Next time you try to raise awareness for sex abuse, use your smart little brain and think about all the children and women who are forced into these situations and see no profit out of it.
ReplyDeleteagreed.... burning porn is a worthless way to raise awareness of the issue.
ReplyDeletelook at the people not attending your facebook event. no one wants to burn art.
ReplyDeleteAlright. Whatever you may think of this porn burning, one thing is missing in this article and certainly in all the comments: respect. Have some respect for this club and their cause, even if you do not agree with it. Just because you don't agree with them does not mean you are allowed to make discriminatory comments about them and their cause. This is their event, if you don't like it, don't go. Or at least have the decency to articulate a respectful response without having to rely on hateful remarks.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I have mixed feelings about this burning. While I definitely see their cause, I do think that it is a pretty radical first move for a new organization to make. Pornography means different things for different people and will always remain one of those unsolvable debates, but this is incredibly bold. I suppose we'll see how it goes...
people aren't complaining about their stance, but the way they are going about it. Why not host a lecture or show a documentary in the MUB? Burning things is not the way to go and seems counterproductive to me.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHwnuQIPNF8
i understand why some people think that there are better ways to raise awareness, and we discussed this at our meetings. while not everyone agreed, many believed that it would be a good way to get the attention of others and clearly it already has. we were concerned that people would just walk past us if we didnt do something a bit out of the ordinary. i hope that some of you, and many others, will read the zine we will be putting out or check out some of the resources that we will be listing in it. (if you're eager, "the price of pleasure" and "a drug called pornography" are two documentaries that address the issue) i personally think that any form of art that is degrading to women or promotes violence towards women or children should not exist. unfortunately, there are other copies of the "art" we will be burning - it wont be gone forever. also, we will be planting trees and picking up trash in order to counterbalance the release of toxins into the air.
ReplyDeleteand actually we did show "A drug called pornography" and there have been a few other documentaries shown in Hamilton Smith also... but, the problem is, very few people showed up. and i have noticed that few people are showing up to the event 'on facebook' and i hope that more people do actually show up or hear what we have to say because its for a good cause. i also want to say that I think that some of the comments being made are really innappropriate, unneccessary and upsetting. its sad that we live in a society where people are so mean to people they don't know anything about.
ReplyDeleteLet me say this. I am a Feminists and I LOATHE the Womyn’s Group. And by that, I mean they incite rage in every proton in my body (Lady Meow, what is the small particle of a human? Please & Thank you)
ReplyDeleteThis group of extremists (who are probably proud to be called RFL’s - Raging Feminist Lesbians) is getting EXACTLY what they want: tons of attention and people flapping their gums about the issue. Now, I think it may be biased of us to assume all members are lesbians and/or unattractive (there is some women hating right there) and overweight (Wait, no one called them fat? Oh, that was just me I guess) but I can say that these shock tactics are just a flash in the pan and dissipate in a few days/weeks. They have pulled stunts like this for as long as I have been here. Sure, take away Snuff films and you got a better world. But, *IF *IF *IF *IF, you, Middle-of-the-Road-Reader, truly believe that porn is causing so much trouble, let us not hate on Kenna Kum Bunny and her Skank Squad, but instead the kid who has an EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE for his porno collection. He is the problem (and he probably has a problem too) because he thinks that the Ugg Wearing chick sitting next to him in Making Babies really walks around Stoke in her Catholic school girl uniform. (But I mean, who doesn't? That place is grimy) I use masculine pronouns, because in all reality, most gals I know, don’t flick the bean watching YouPorn daily… That’s the issue, if demand dried up then there goes the supply chain too and we could all go back to missionary, in beds only, with the lights off. La-Dee-Friggen-Da
Also, racism must be combated, but throwing your feminists in the bucket with civil rights activist is not the same fight. Maybe you have similar sympathizers, but in the end, they both have some very different points to make from their platforms Why racism even included in this porn thing? Because we see lots of white secretaries taking it from the BBC (Big Black Cock) Rough Reputation to uphold my chocolate foot long friends. Yeah, I wish someone would make a lot of porn with sororities girls in a library, that way every time someone saw me in letter they thought, “Wow, she must be smart…”
(To the one person who will read this, don’t comment here and tell me why it is really included in the fight. It involves socio-economic factors that perpetuate our prejudices and create cycles of ignorance which leads to fear and violence. Andrea Dworkin was kinda cool. Kthanks)
So, Take all your movies that put women down, display them as weak, unintelligent and powerless and there go my entire collection of Disney Princesses.
Anyway, I don’t care, Porn paid for 9/11 that Bush planned out all by his Big Boy self. Duh, everyone knows that.
Alex, I think it is great we live in a society where people can freely speak their minds. Sure, many hurtful things can and will be said, but that comes with the age of internet message boards. Also, they are just words. Relax. I feel like the members of this group are being just as ignorant as the commenters here.
ReplyDeleteUm... you are a GODDESS. Thank youuuuu for this comment.
ReplyDeleteanybody wanna make a UNH orgy porn later?
ReplyDeletea lot of women are forced into porn or given alcohol or drugs unknowingly and then forced to take part - maybe the stars are paid like crazy. i don't think all pornography can be classified into good or bad and i dont think it can be really compared such that "well sex slavery isn't okay, but rape porn is" to me rape porn, child porn, and many other forms of pornography in the united states do promote "SEX ABUSE AND DOMINATION." considering some of the things being said, those supporting the cause are much more calm and collected than those against it and they certainly don't sound ignorant to me- but if you think so you should explain why it seems to me as though they would be willing to listen. and all this name calling is exactly what the cause is trying to bring attention to - this is about equality - not about who is better or worse. we are all in this together, it shouldnt be a competition. the group is clearly trying to put the issue on the table for it to be discussed and your simply bringing attention the need for disccussion. For example, if women weren't constantly calling other women 'fat' because of their own insecurities and their need to compete with other women to feel better about themselves or to look better in front of other men, there wouldn't be so many women with eating disorders or so many insecure women who feel the need to spend so much money on make up and clothes made in sweatshops, or materials being produced that are harmful to the environment etc. etc. what about the money being spent on that stuff? how about donating that money to a good cause?
ReplyDeletethis event is meant to promote EQUALITY and clearly theres a reason it needs to be discussed
I think they're being too general with the term "pornography." There is some crazy and hardcore stuff that is terrible where women are on drugs and whatever and then there is also a regular playboy photo shoot. I see nothing wrong with those "clean" photo shoots, those women are clean and well taking care of and they don't have to do anything they don't want. But I feel like this group is just trying to mix all together which isn't fair. they need to do a better job at saying what they actually are trying to do.
ReplyDelete"what about all the child pornography that is out there?"
ReplyDeleteThen download Child porn and burn that.
All this discussion would be a lot more meaningful if it was held in person! That means Thursday in front of Murkland at 12.
ReplyDeletein the defense of the womyn group
ReplyDeletehttp://www.cracked.com/article_17300_6-ways-that-porn-runs-world.html
So here's the deal. Child porn is messed up regardless.
ReplyDeleteBut then we get into the "legal" stuff. Rape porn is a little messed up. But there are people out there that are turned on by this stuff. And it's not just men. Go on craigslist for a laugh and see the women seeking men section. "I want to dominate this guy" or "I want to be dominated by that guy" or "I want a cow in the room while we F" People have imaginations. Maybe a chick wants you to put it in her ear. That's weird, but if you are having sex for the right reasons, why not? It's about mutual pleasure. You scratch my back, I'll poke you in the ear.
I consider myself feminist in the sense that I want women to be equal in all aspects of life. That includes the bedroom. Many couples use porn as a means of keeping the flame alive. Who are the Womyn's Club to think they can take that away?
Also, GREAT idea planting some trees to offset the toxins. That'll be effective right away. (SARCASM) How about you just don't burn the plastics. Try recycling them. Some people are so focused on themselves that they don't think of others! If the world ends, we won't have to worry about porn because we will be dead.
pornography will kill and destroy us a lot faster - take a look at the stats, listen to the women, open your eyes. The porn culture is everywhere and effecting all genders.
ReplyDeletestoppornculture.org
How is porn more offensive to women? I think it's more offensive to men, who have to suffer more than women do in the industry,
ReplyDelete"This is not just a war against violence against women, it is a war against all violence. For indeed, just as there is violence within rape, there is violence with in privilege, violence within self hatred, violence within hate."
ReplyDeleteSpeech: Violence Against Women
http://www.zami.org/cc_essays.htm
Sustainable development is not possible without the empowerment of women and gender equality:
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/forums/review/environment/index.html
Dignity (from Palestine to New York City):
http://palestinethinktank.com/2009/10/05/arab-izzah-harb-dignity-from-palestine-to-new-york-city/
Alrighty, so a group of women right activists burn pornography, pornography they had to buy to burn, right? So by buying it they supported the industry. So really, no matter what they did, in the end they supported the industry they "hate."
ReplyDeleteA wise man once told me we vote with what we buy. Unless they stole it (kudos to them) or printed it off the internet, these "feminists" supported the porn industry. It's a hell of a downgrade from the Take Back the Night event, which I actually attended.
(Yes, I'm a feminist and I'm a guy. Yes, what I think what you did was in poor taste. Spend money on helping rape victims, not buying porn. Ty.)
they did not BUY anything. READ something before you WRITE something.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous is correct and I apologize for my mistaken read of the post.
ReplyDeleteHowever, even with the clarification I find the burnings pointless.
Main point about the clarification is just what many others I suppose have said: isn't there far better ways of spending your time such as have participants march in Take Back the Night (which they did), or similarly themed events, then just burning porn?
After all, porn can be thrown in the trash, but that voice you call out to or that person you help as oppose to just lighting a match, could reach out further then that dramatic smoke ever could. Hell, even have a bakesale to help against domestic violence (donate the money to an organization with those goals), everyone loves cookies more then the smell of burning paper.
Anyhoo, that's just my opinion, and I hope I got all the facts right this time.