By Jessie Fillingim
From the back of my classroom, I can see everyone’s computers. Some are instant-messaging, some are playing Solitaire and some are actually taking notes. There are also some who have pictures of topless women as their desktop backgrounds.
I’m not sure that guys who display Playboy-worthy photos as their desktop actually read the newspaper, but if so, here’s some news: pictures of boobies are pretty distracting. In fact, I spent an entire class trying to understand why on earth all these guys chose a picture of a half-naked girl as their desktop background.
Don’t get me wrong, I believe everyone has the right to decorate his or her desktops however he or she wants. I can understand that a guy wants to feature a photograph that he enjoys looking at often. But I am pretty sure if I had the same kind of picture displayed on my computer, I would seem like a oversexed mega-lesbian. Someone would most likely express offense to me. But the only feedback these future lawyers get about the sexy pictures is, “Hey man, she’s hot.”
Desktop backgrounds are one of many ways we present ourselves to the world, like with our clothing and Facebook statuses. We choose images to shape how the world sees us. Proudly displaying photographs that would clearly offend some if not most women sends a clear message to the world: “I don’t care about making women feel uncomfortable.”
These classmates indirectly commit social violence against women by displaying topless pictures in such a careless manner. They know-or should know-that this kind of display will upset someone but they do it anyway, without consideration. Besides, if a woman tells her classmate she is offended, she is seen as a bitch. It doesn’t matter if she speaks up or allows herself to feel uncomfortable in silence. He wins and she loses.
To be fair, maybe these men are just victims of traditional masculinity, which demands that men should never seem to care about how they appear to others. Only women can be concerned about their appearance and must constantly present themselves for approval. While men enjoy flexible physical expectations, women must struggle to get closer to impossible body standards which they will never be able to fully meet.
Even though the double standard in body image has been recognized since the feminist movement, we continue to lack sensitivity toward body issues. In fact, just this week, a man called me fat.
I feel a little better knowing that even the most gorgeous women in entertainment are the subjects of intense body scrutiny. Jessica Simpson made headlines recently for wearing Daisy Duke shorts amidst of weight-gain rumors. Lindsay Lohan is criticized for being too thin. Mischa Barton, who at one time was called fat by the press, was recently told she is too skinny and must gain weight to keep her role on her new television show.
Photoshopped images of the topless women and critical judgments are discouraging to many women. We are constantly reminded that we will never be physically perfect and we will always be viewed as bitches if we stick up for ourselves.
So be a bitch. Ladies, you aren’t just sticking up for yourself, you’re sticking up for all of us. Show some ovaries. Resist the urge to be critical of other women. Guys, I know not all of you are guilty of promoting these double standards. Let us know you’re out there by speaking out against sexism wherever you see it.
And to those of you who currently have pictures of boobies as your desktop background, I am offended.
Jessie Fillingim is a second-year law student. You may e-mail her at [email protected].
