I have sat by quietly until now, but Sufia Khalid has gone too far this week. If I were any less passionate about women’s liberation, I may have been ashamed to be a woman after reading Sufia’s most recent column (“Girls won’t get anywhere until they stop dressing as bimbos,” March 28, p.7).
She began by affirming that she is a “category three” feminist — she focuses on taking care of her own life, and thus is a positive representation of a women everywhere. Right.
While claiming that “each individual woman [must] work on herself,” she steps away from her individualist notion and criticizes women, particularly (no surprise here) Western women, for their apparent obsession with the ideal female type. She says that “blondes with artificial breasts are seen as symbols of the freedoms of Western women,” and that “men enjoy this image, and a lot of women look up to it.” Right again, Sufia — the majority of women want to be Pamela Anderson … and all men want to be Ted Bundy.
She continues by describing the girl who wore a mini skirt and a “ridiculous see-through top” (who I’m sure appreciated the mention) and by saying that women “dress desperately enough to resemble the ‘hotties’ on TV … baring it all and acting like [Barbies].” Later on, women are “hookers.” And even still, “mindless bimbos,” who are responsible for current attitudes towards women.
Sufia, you said yourself that the way we act reflects not only on ourselves, but “on all women.” Well, here’s a spoon — try a taste of your own medicine. Take a look at your column.
Somewhere in between your declaration that feminism is dead and that women don’t have minds of their own and have to imitate TV stars, you have successfully offended women everywhere.
Yes, it is up to us to carry on this movement and to demand the respect that we deserve. And yes, some women are more conservative in dress than others. But how do you know that Madame Miniskirt was not wearing that skirt for herself? Is it a crime for her to be proud of her body? Would she still be “Barbie” if she were wearing an oversized sweater? (And on that note, is being Barbie really that bad? She was, let’s not forget, a career girl.)
We cannot ask others to respect us if we don’t respect our own kind. You must look favorably on your fellow women in order for others to do the same. What kind of example have you set by comparing women to prostitutes and calling them “bimbos”? How offended would you have been if a man wrote the same words that you did? I can see it now: “The Modern Western Woman’s Dress Code — Every Man’s Dream,” by Brian Fudge.
A final thought: You say that you “use” your religion to keep yourself from “falling prey” to objectification. How about “using” self-confidence instead? If a girl walks down Commonwealth Avenue with her head held high, is she necessarily stuck up? Must our heads be bowed (and our midriffs be covered?) to demonstrate our humility?
Think about your words, Sufia. I’m proud that you are an opinion writer and a female, but how about using your soapbox to “spin” a positive light on females next time?
Lauren DeGeorge COM ’08
