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Morality and Decency Conference Speakers
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UPDATES
November 5, 2007
Cultural Construction of Sexuality
 HARVARD Monday’s editorial “Pondering Porn” misses the point—by a long shot. Tangled up in its claims and false analogies, it fails to provide nuance in its central criticism (after calling for more nuance from Catherine MacKinnon). Crucially, it fails to even mention the staggering levels of rape and male violence against women—MacKinnon’s “exhibit A” against pornography.
Perhaps The Crimson Staff missed her central point about pornography being part of the cultural construction of sexuality. MacKinnon directly attacked any assumption that human sexuality springs from some “natural” or non-social wellspring. MacKinnon stated categorically that sexual desire (on the part of both men and women) is social, socialized, and socially-constructed—and further went on to argue that much of it is deeply influenced by pornography. The speaker made no argument against “free choice.” She did, however, claim that desire—and yes, therefore even free will—is socially-constructed. And, importantly, constructed in ways that undermine sex equality, a goal (she emphasized) that vast majorities of people profess to support.
This critical misunderstanding about some presumed natural sexuality leads The Crimson Staff to claim that “MacKinnon’s brand of feminism” is “tired” and denies women’s sexual autonomy. Tired, as in, what? Rape is over? Tired, as in, this is just about those feminists who think women can’t be trusted to make decisions? And as to the false characterization that to theorists like MacKinnon “women are always victims” —who are we here, Ann Coulter? Where are we, on CNN’s “Crossfire”? Why dumb down a complex and nuanced argument? ‘Pondering Porn’ Missed Point of MacKinnon’s Speech |
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PORNOGRAPHY COMMODIFIES The editorial board’s response to Catherine MacKinnon’s speech on pornography in American culture does no justice to her argument. It is a misrepresentation to suggest that her approach consisted merely of “shock tactics.” The pervasive ties between the porn industry and illegal sex-trafficking, and the wide range of statistical evidence demonstrating that exposure to pornography increases an individual’s propensity to commit sex crimes, were but a few of the many points she raised to demonstrate the societal harm caused by pornography.
It is also a distortion to connect her anti-pornography position to the belief that “women are always coerced into sex.” The argument is not that women cannot be trusted to give consent, but rather that mere consent does not necessarily make an arrangement just, especially when assent is driven by economic desperation. I imagine that The Crimson writers would see injustice in the conditions of third world sweatshops, where laborers “voluntarily” work 16 hour days in hazardous working environments. It is curious, then, that they are so uncritical of the degrading character of the sex industry. Pornography commodifies and cheapens one of the most intimate encounters two people can share, and in the process harms both the viewer and the participant.
Pornography Turns All Participants Into Commodities |
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THE GOOD LIFE Since we're accustomed to thinking of young people and students as the shock troops of social change, explaining youthful inertia has become a national preoccupation (sadly, we expect impassivity from the middle aged). Many point to the absence of a draft as a motivating factor. Others cite the lack of contemporary examples of successful collective action to inspire faith in the efficacy of protest. But more often than not, the problem is conceived as cultural. The emerging generation, of which I am part, is post-Watergate, post-Monica Lewinsky, and weaned on irony and satire. We expect the government to deceive us and are hardly surprised, let alone outraged, when these expectations are met. Others argue that young people aren't particularly self-absorbed or apathetic; they're overworked and indebted. Today's twenty- and thirty-somethings are so busy struggling to make ends meet, they simply don't have time to take to the streets. Whatever Happened to the Good Life? |
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Family Concerns
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RECOVERY During my childhood I was abused sexually, emotionally, verbally and physically. Many of you have also been abused, or you deal with someone in your life who comes from an abusive, dysfunctional background.
What does abuse mean? It means “to misuse, to use improperly, to use up or to injure by maltreatment.” The effects of abuse can be devastating and long-lasting. Many people never recover from it. Let me give you a brief definition of the four types of abuse. Abuse and the Miracle of Recovery |
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Centers for Decency is apart of a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization which encourages, motivates, educates, and equips the family and community in morality and decency offering information, articles, volunteers to make difference, and conference speakers thereby battling the pornography and obscenity. If you appreciate our focus and hard work, send any dollar amount for donations or creative gifts can be sent to Centers for Decency, 1415 S. Voss Raod, Suite 110393, Houston, Texas 77056 or call 713.266.2715. A letter will be sent upon donation amount from our tax exempt organization. |
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