Jezebel 
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New York, 3:48 AM
Mon Nov 23
18 posts in the last 24 hours
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09/28/09
Most major corporations make donations to charity and political figures (sometimes for ethical reasons, sometimes for tax write-offs), but isn't it a pretty smooth move for a magazine that sells sexuality to make it safer for people to have sex? Doesn't less fear about sex create a more pro-sex atmosphere, thereby making porn less likely to be attacked?
I'm not saying we shouldn't take the money, and I'm not saying they aren't sincere about the charities they support. I'm just saying, consider the source- they BENEFIT from donating to these charities for a number of reasons.
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One thing I want to remind Jezzies of is that it would be very helpful for everyone to stop bashing on the women in this industry. We aren't all empty headed buffoons. The women I have worked with usually hold a couple jobs - they run families - they work for the police department, they teach - one thing I am excited about it that many of us own our own successful businesses. I have never met so many independent female business owners as I have working in the modeling industry.
You can tell yourself we don't have any dreams beyond being a centerfold, but most women I have met just see it as a high paid, fun way to make things happen.
I've also seen women working from the inside to effect changes that don't look obvious from seeing a glossy magazine. In reality, there is a need and a space for a variety of healthy perspectives on sexuality and women's bodies. There are sites with models who don't look like the stereotypical blonde with big tits. I work as a photographer and model for one that is run by a woman computer programmer. If any of you are interested in how your perspective on sexuality and the female form could influence these sorts of industries I would encourage you to look into it - models, stylists, make up artists, photographers, web designers, and lots more people can have an influence on this industry and I really really think that if more feminist women were involved it would be better for us all.
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I personally don't do nearly enough action. I donate to groups like Equality Now, I'm active in several feminist communities in my field, I try to use my job (which is creative) to be feminist positive, and I've taught young girls and adolescents with a focus on body image and art.
Lately, though, I've been really feeling how little I -do-, you know? So I'm looking into some Big Sister programs and trying to be more actually active, rather than sitting on my butt and complaining.
09/28/09
Barring one's opinions on whether or not what playboy does is bad for women, all that is left to this story is that a woman has rebuilt an empire, risen to high status in a male-dominated field, and does things that she feel help other women, and what' wrong with that?
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We can really only judge actions, so we would have to say she is a person who has made some actions that have empowered women and others that haven't.
I know I've been known to make a mistake, accidentally reinforce a gender stereotype - but I'd hate to not be able to call myself a feminist anymore because of it.
Then I'm sure we'd want to judge habits or a lifetime of actions... then it gets messy again...
*shrug.
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Surely this is some common ground for us to stand upon?!
True though, that we thrive on labels and it's unrealistic that we could do away with them completely - but it's just a nice thought to aspire to, eh?
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Being a woman in a man's world, rebuilding an empire that was 'in shambles' is not empowering? Really? I think it's pretty impressive. Aside from that, her father is also her boss. You wouldn't expect her to go into a meeting with investors and call him "Dad" would you?
You take a lot of digs at Hugh Hefner here, but what her father is involved in should in no way reflect the job she's doing or how much of a 'feminist' she is. If strippers and prostitutes are symbols of feminism, how the hell is a CEO of one of the largest magazines in the country NOT considered feminist?
She's a high powered CEO, has turned a major men's magazine around, is active in politics and has become a successful businesswoman in other ventures. She's used her money for positive things. What more should she do to "earn" the title? Hop on a pole?
Perhaps bias is shadowing your views on who "deserves" to be a feminist, but frankly it's not for you (or me) to decide. I think she's an interesting woman who has done quite a bit in her life. Just because she worked for Playboy doesn't mean she's not a good feminist.
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Sadly, porn is her to stay and its a growing market, with more women becoming involved in behind the scenes. Are they doing it for the money? You betcha. But its also a positive sign to see women being held accountable for the images and perceptions they are putting out there. And if she is donating money to women's orgs and groups than thats a positive.
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Sure, she can still be a feminist in her personal life, but she certainly hasn't done much to promote it for anyone else.
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Playboy is not a pimp. Pimps don't sink money in women's rights, or give money to politicians who have an interest in abortion rights and sexual health. Pimps abuse and exploit prostitutes, some of whom are forced into the situation and are held down by the pimps, who control their money and means of survival.
Playboy is a magazine with naked women. They chose to be in the magazine. Most of the time, it is they who contact Playboy for a chance to be photographed. They are paid for their photos. They are further paid if they chose to participate in Playboy events. They are invited to parties and are able to live a certain lifestyle. Or, they take the money they earned and can walk away.
Playboy is not Walmart. It does not prey on poor women and underprivileged people and offer below-average pay for extreme work days and conditions. Again, it is a magazine with naked photos. Yes, it is a corporation. But that doesn't make it Walmart.
09/28/09
As for not oppressing rights, have you watched the E! special on Playboy? In early days, bunnies were not allowed to have boyfriends and were supposed to keep a curfew. As for the situation now, it's expected that you "don't say "no" to Hef", as one of the women put it. I'm going to go ahead and say that all of Hef's "girlfriends" don't jump at the chance to live in the mansion without some sense of a career on the horizon. Playboy outright LIES about the opportunities it gives the women it employs, and it gives most of them shitty part-time work with an oppressive boss under the guise of an eventual career.
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Discussions like these alway frustrate me. To me, women who decide what they want to do in life and then do the best possible job they can are to be admired for that. It is irrelevant whether I think what they do is worthy or a good idea.
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@Anna N.: An apt comparison.
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Incidentally, Levy also interviewed Christie Hefner about the very topic this article examines. I found Hefner's arguments perfectly cogent and defensible, even if one may not necessarily agree with them.
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Of course, all the good stuff is sandwiched into between glossy photos of teenagers with impossibly pnuematic tits and lips, so make of that what you will.
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And the concept of being "good for women" can be argued 200 ways till Tuesday. This woman was the head of a man's company, she called the shots, she made it successful and she didn't need to sleep with twin blondes to do so.
09/28/09
Although at face value there certainly seems to be hypocrisy with the notion of supporting sexuality and not supporting such obvious portrayals of sexuality like Playboy, I don't think it's really that simple.
From what I've seen, a lot of women that agree that women should not repress their sexuality, do not necessarily believe that we should parade around naked everywhere or make money off of it. And certainly not that it should be your sole defining characteristic.
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