Super Bowl XLIV: Sexist v. Funny

The commercials that is...

Whether you laughed your ass off or bludgeoned your television in outrage, this year's Super Bowl commercials seemed to be particularly provocative. The controversy leading up to game day - over the Tebow antiabortion ad and the banned gay-dating-site spot - had everyone on high alert. The result was a lot of flops, a few laughs and a revival of some good-ole gender stereotypes.



 1. FloTV
Men hate shopping. Women love shopping. It's funny when women make men shop because they hate it so much....The tired cliche of this commercial makes it almost not worth mentioning, but that line at the end about the skirt is just too irritating to ignore. Spineless man = woman ... uh uh, FloTV, not cool.



2. Snickers
Being hungry makes you suck at sports... the same way old women suck at sports. Okay, PGH get's why some people took offense to this ad, but it is a pretty f-in hilarious spot and showcases Betty White's awesomeness. White really saves this commercial - presenting herself, as usual, as a bad-ass comedian instead of a fragile old woman. Plus, it must be noted that an old man also stands in for a hungry stud - making the commercial more ageist that sexist ... and we all know old people can't play sports.



3. Chrysler
This commercial seems to have incited the most ire from certain viewers... i.e. those who think these men are whiny little punks. First of all, the ad comes across like the start of a Zoloft commercial, with close-ups on all the depressed faces of downtrodden men. Did they lose their jobs? Were their wives killed in Iraq? Are they watching news about Haiti... oh no, wait. He's gotta be at the office by eight in the morning! Sit through two hours of meetings... oh, god, no...this man has to carry LIP BALM. But, who's making this miserable sap DO all of these horrible things? Well let's see: lip balm, toilet seat down, vampire TV shows, overbearing mother ... ah of course, who could miss the hallmarks of the man-hating matriarchy that seeks to separate all males from their testicles? Don't worry boys, they may take your scrotum, but they can never take your car.



4. Dove
Aside from the obvious stereotyping going on here - Man must unhook bra. Must no be scared. Must learn how change flat - this commercial at least had a sense of humor about gender roles and the expectations placed on men to live up to them.  And Dove managed to do it without the whiny, resentful tone Chrysler used to blame women for all the "hardships" these men face. (The woman seemed to have it pretty easy though: say I do, stay in bed, don't fix car. Got it.) Overall, the ad definitely presents an underlying sense of sarcasm at the idea of "manhood" and what it means. PGH appreciates the nod to societal gender expectations.... now next year how 'bout one for the ladies?

Men Showing Emotion, First Installment

     Whether we want to accept it or not, we live in a culture that castigates men who show too much emotion. On the other hand, women in positions of power are frequently criticized for not being emotional enough. Hillary Clinton was often derided for an overly stoic chilliness. The sense of relief seeping from the media was evident when Clinton teared up on the campaign trail.


When men cry, on the other hand, they get labeled bitches, pussies, and any other name that undermines them...by calling them female.

So, PHG would like to do something to balance the scales a bit. Men crying shouldn't be so horrifying or shameful. Part of the problem is the lack of exposure the public has to men showing emotion - most likely because men feel the need to hide such embarrassing behavior. To remedy this problem, PHG would like to introduce the first installment of "Men Showing Emotion."

To kick off the series PGH presents the beloved Coco getting a little choked up on his exit from The Tonight Show:



Congrats Conan on a completely manly, menschy display of emotion!

Blog for Choice Day

In honor of the 37th anniversary of the landmark ruling of Roe v. Wade, NARAL has asked bloggers to respond to the phrase "Trust Women" and explain what it means to them. Dr. George Tiller, the Wichita physician and late-term abortion provider who was murdered on the steps of his church over the summer by a pro-life activist, adopted the phrase as his motto and often wore it on a button.

What does the phrase "Trust Women" mean to PHG? Well, to be honest, not all women can be trusted. The thing is, women don't deserve reproductive freedom because they are such noble creatures and can always be trusted to do the right thing. Integrity is never the basis of our freedoms in this country. To quote Jo March in the 1994 adaptation of Little Women (for the first and last time):

"I find it poor logic to say that because women are good, women should vote; men do not vote because they are good; men vote because they are male, and women should vote, not because they are angels and men are animals, but because they are human beings and citizens of this country."

The same can be said of reproductive rights. Women do not deserve these freedoms because they are trustworthy, but because they are human beings, citizens of this country and should be allowed the right to make their own reproductive choices - without government intervention.

Not to knock Dr. Tiller's sentiment. He was, by all accounts, a decent man who took an incredibly brave stand in the name of freedom. And the concept behind his motto seems to be this: treat women and their birth canals with the respect, autonomy and equality they deserve, rather than forcing what is ultimately a moral, religious judgment on American citizens (whose country, by the way, claims to have a separation of Church and State.)

Sarah Palin and her ilk are all kicking up a storm today for the Roe v. Wade anniversary. There's a perfect example of a woman PHG doesn't trust. But Palin's right to decide what goes on inside her body? That's something PHG will always defend - no matter how frustrating her opinions (and accent) are.



**To participate in Blog for Choice, link your response here or leave a comment below**

Homophobia Alive and Well

Uganda, Uganda, Uganda.... just a few days ago PHG was so happy with you for the progress you made to put an end to FGM. Now look at you:

The proposed Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2009 currently being reviewed in Uganda carries with it serious legal consequences for anyone in favor of the freedom to choose who you schtup.

The bill includes jail sentences for consensual gay sex and even a life sentence to people in same-sex marriages! Luckily some of the more drastic measures of the bill (execution) have been removed, but the proposal is still a serious threat to homosexuals and their supporters.

Much like during the Nazi rule of Germany, the bill encourages people to turn in their fellow citizens, as it would jail anyone who does not report "gay activity" to police within 24 hours. Aside from the threat to citizens of Uganda, the country would also withdraw from any international treaties or protocols that recognize or support gay rights.


Secratary of State, Hilary Clinton has publicly lambasted the Anti-gay bill, calling it a "very serious potential violation of human rights."



Though homosexuality has been illegal in Uganda for over 100 years, this bill has the potential to shape the future of the country as it takes a much more definitive stance on the issue of gay rights. Though the majority of the country appears to back the bill, it is incredibly difficult for Ugandans to speak out against criminalizing homosexuality. Those who try to support homosexuals - or even advocate HIV/AIDS treatment and awareness - are persecuted as harshly as those who engage in gay sex or relationships.

David Bahati, author of the bill, voices the country's severe stance on homosexuality and so-called "sympathizers."

"Anybody who does not believe that homosexuality is a crime is a sympathizer," says Bahati. "Providing literature, writing books about it, standing up and saying it is OK — you should be arrested. Even if you are not in the act, you should be arrested. Anybody who tries to promote it should be arrested."

 Well, Bahati, get out your hand cuffs while you can... because PHG thinks you're a bigoted a--hole who's goin' down! Though it's taking longer than many would like, this kind of narrow-minded, cowardly thinking is not the future.

Vagina Win

The Ugandan parliament recently passed a bill unanimously banning all forms of female genital mutilation (clit high-fives all around). The law brings a ten year jail sentence to convicted offenders and a life sentence if the girl dies as a result of the practice.
                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                A COMPLETE VAGINA IS A HAPPY ONE
FGM - seen most often in African and Asian nations that consider it a traditional rite - has long been a controversial subject. While it is a cultural tradition in many nations, the frequently gruesome procedure typically involves removing the clitoris and all or parts of the labia and sometimes sewing the vaginal opening shut. FGM carries with it severe health risks including infections, infertility and death and is still performed on girls 4 to 15 years old in many countries. Often a girl's first sexual experience will be extremely painful and traumatic as the sewn labia have to be re-cut prior to intercourse and sexual stimulation is difficult or impossible to achieve.


          
While Uganda and other nations are taking steps to limit instances of FGM, it is still prevalent in many African and Asian countries. According to the United Nations, some communities have begun the practice of "lesser cuts" where fewer parts of the genitals are removed.

Unless they plan on limiting these procedures to a snip of a newborn's clitoral hood with sterile instruments (like male circumcision) then PHG's got nothin to say to them.

To learn more about FGM visit the World Health Organization.

A Rerun of Dallas and a Pint of Ice Cream

Jezebel recently posted this hilarious video from the 80s which claims to give useful advice to women looking to meet men:



Okay, lesson recap:
1. Don't be a b*** ... He doesn't need that!
2. Men love it when you talk about small stuffed animals
3. Your mother may have taught you that it's rude to stare....well she's a fucking liar!
4. Purposely spilling your drink on a man to get his number does not make you seem crazy....or desperate
5. Stop talking so much and just nod along with whatever he says..
6. If a man uses the f-word ("feel") start faking an orgasm immediately.

Now get out there and tap that shy-man goldmine!

BOOKS WOMEN SHOULD READ COMING SOON!!!

Some of you may have heard the rumor about a list of the books all women should read in their lifetime - inspired by Esquire's 75 Books Every Man Should Read - coming to Pink Hand Gun. Well, the wait will soon be over. PHG is currently hard at work concocting the ultimate literary list. But, now is your chance to have your beautifully bookish voice heard. Leave book suggestions (preferably with a brief explanation or personal anecdote) in the comment section of this post and your book pick may end up on the final list.
Remember: this list is meant to represent books that are truly worthy - not the most recent thing on your nightstand or the holiday best-seller, though such examples may fit the bill - of your time, money, brain power, etc, etc. These are must reads for every woman in her lifetime. The kind of books you would choose to take on a desert island or give a little girl who could only read a limited number of books before she went blind/died/bought a Kindle/whatever.

So think on it and choose suggestions wisely!

**Special thanks to those who have already contributed to the list :)