Columnist Joseph Havey for his editorial (Viewpoint 1/23/13) for provoking a lively debate among the many students, staff and faculty engaged with the N.C. State Women’s Center. The discussion was especially relevant thanks to the ironic placement of the 1993 near-nude Eric Montross basketball photo which appeared just above an article critiquing a Hollywood actress for a sultry headshot. The Women’s Center is part of the Office for Institutional Equity and Diversity who, with UAB, organized the Diversity Education Week in which America Ferrera headlined. As Director of the Women’s Center, I’d like to provide another perspective.
Beyond the poor choice of metaphor conflating America Ferrera with gender equality in Saudi Arabia, I disagree that a headshot showing collarbone and a little cleavage necessarily negates what is said. Does Havey speak for everyone when he suggests that (assumedly heterosexual) men are biologically incapable of reading text adjacent to a picture of a socially-determined beautiful woman? Yes, the picture brought in your attention in a way that donning a conservative business suit did not. Sex still sells and this is especially true in Hollywood.
I’m sorry that Havey missed America Ferrera’s event in October 2012. I had the opportunity to hear America’s talk and for better or worse, Hollywood gives stars a bully pulpit that America Ferrera chose to use to support righteous causes. I can respect a woman from humble beginnings who works hard, makes it big and gives back to others in the form of raising awareness. I don’t think that having great genetics and a really good makeup artist suggests that “[looking sexy] while discussing gender equality is equivalent to a man performing a strip tease,” as Havey suggests. Ms. Ferrera was dressing her part and we took her seriously as an actress engaged in social issues. I beg of NCSU students to employ critical thinking. Can a person be sexy and smart at the same time? Must women be either beauty or brains?
Unfortunately, equality is not just a hemline away. Credit is due to Mr. Havey for noting the extra burdens that women often carry relative to what we wear. One quick look at the mega-coverage of the Alabama quarterback’s girlfriend Katherine Webb or Hillary Clinton’s “post-op look,” or what Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden were wearing to the inaugural ball support his point. If we endeavor to judge the content of character, then we need to look women in the eye and listen to their intellect. America was riveting … and not because of the length of her skirt.
In my opinion, men and women need to come together and address the patriarchal inequality that hurts everyone. I applaud Havey’s call to take him seriously as a male interested in gender issues. More men need to critically engage in discussions about gender. N.C. State has a Women’s Center that facilitates just these kinds of dialogues and we welcome everyone to participate in our programs, events, research opportunities or use our services. The Women’s Center web page can be found at oied.ncsu.edu/womens-center. Of specific relevance is our hiring of a Men and Masculinity Coordinator who will be a catalyst and resource for the campus community on gender issues from a men/masculinity perspective. The Women’s Center and Women’s and Gender Studies will also be offering a 3-credit hour course Introduction to Men and Masculinity in the Fall 2013. Likely, this topic will be revisited. We welcome you to join us.
