Reddit reviews Enlightened Sexism: The Seductive Message that Feminism's Work Is Done

There's a great book about this called Enlightened Sexism. Basically, the line is, "sexism is silly, therefore it's funny," and if you don't laugh, you're an uptight bitch. The problem is that the stereotypes such jokes play on still effect women's lives and the way they are perceived in very real ways. The truth is that the reason people consider these jokes funny is that they think they hold some grain of truth, or are in a weird way nostalgic for a time when thinking/talking that way was acceptable. And that has real repercussions.

I mean, this always depends on the joke, but it really bugs me when people think, "well I'm educated and liberal, therefore it's okay for me to say racist/sexist things if it's funny."

THANK YOU. God, I'm so done with this.

The worst part is that the rest of the game tends to be so artfully done that people consider this an inspiration and influence to their own stories and lives. How nauseating.

I've seen a lot of pre-teens into anime and jrpgs that end up directly emulating the characters they watch/play, which invites them to think that low self-esteem and insecurity is the way to go. Tragic.

Add that to the fact that we're experiencing a moment of "Enlightened Sexism" as this book I'm reading calls it ( http://www.amazon.com/Enlightened-Sexism-Seductive-Message-Feminisms/dp/080508326X ) and we're doomed.

Every single "person with similar views as nolimitsoldier" I have encountered has always fallen into 1 of the following groups.

1. "12-24 Naive" This is the age where people tend to dismiss feminism without taking any initiative to learn about new and old feminist theories. I understand why so many people in this group so readily believe misconceptions about feminism. It is due to lack of knowledge or background regarding the new and old feminist theories. Also why nolimitsoldier believes all feminists think they are artists / photographers is beyond me. I blame the countless people who don't take the time to learn about the concepts and definitions regarding feminism and much of the media. Isn't until people mature and take the initiative to learn about feminism and realize that modern societies are still patriarchal, misogynist, and sexist.
   
   
2. "Man Eaters" This misconception is the standard among those who still disregard feminism. Most I have met lack any true knowledge on the feminist theory and believe the myth that all feminist are hairy man hating lesbians. Feminists come from all background and genders so this couldn't possibly true. This stereotype is false. Myth:Feminists are man hating lesbians
   
   
3. "Corporate" Again more misconceptions. People complain about feminism, woman, etc, while not understanding what feminism has to do with the plight of the woman. At the end of the day it'll depend on the person and the person they're respecting if they're a good leader or not. Because believe it or not people come from all different backgrounds and cultures! It just goes against our cultured societal beliefs that women can be good leaders. **A side example of this is the iron my shirt incident with Hillary Clinton
   
   
4. "more bullshit" The definition of feminist varies in each textbook but they all mean the same thing in the end: people seeking the equal treatment of women. Men already dominate the world. This hasn't allowed women to dominate or control men in any way. And feminists aren't seeking the domination of men, we are seeking the equality of genders.
   
   To learn more about feminism you can read or watch the following websites,books, or videos:
   
   Youtube Videos or Channels:
   
   

• Tony Porter:A Call to Men
  
• Feminism Survey:Men on the Street
  
• Missrepresentation Documentary Trailer
  
• Joss Whedon's Equality Now speech
  
• Feminist Frequency
  
• Trixie Films
  
  Websites/Blogs:
  
  
• Finally Feminism 101
  
• Feminist Frequency
  
• Geek Feminism
  
• The F-Word
  
• Feminist Peace Network
  
• Gender Across Borders
  
• Feministing
  
• Feministe
  
• Tiger Beatdown
  
• Feminist Teacher
  
• The Feminist Hub
  
• Lipstick Feminists
  
  Books:
  
  
• Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center by Bell Hooks
  
• Feminism: The Essential Historical Writings
  
• Delusions of Gender: How Our Minds, Society, and Neurosexism Create Difference by Cordelia Fine
  
• Gender Knot Revised Ed: Unraveling Our Patriarchal Legacy by Allan G. Johnson
  
• Feminist Theory: A Reader by Wendy Kolmar
  
• The Second Wave: A Reader in Feminist Theory
  
• Third Wave Feminism: Expanded
  
• Different Wavelengths: Studies of the Contemporary Women's Movement
  
• Feminism without Borders: Decolonizing Theory, Practicing Solidarity by Chandra Talpade Mohanty
  
• Defending Our Dreams: Global Feminist Voices for a New Generation
  
• Listen Up: Voices from the Next Feminist Generation
  
• Enlightened Sexism by Susan J. Douglas
  
• Yes Means Yes: Visions of Female Sexual Power and A World Without Rape
  
• The Equality Illusion: The Truth about Women and Men Today by Kat Banyard
  
• Reclaiming the F Word: The New Feminist Movement by Catherine Redfern and Kristin Aune
  
• Transforming a Rape Culture by Emilie Buchwald, Pamela Fletcher and Martha Roth
  
• Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History by Laurel Ulrich
  
• Men Speak Out: Views on Gender, Sex, and Power

Enlightened Sexism and Where the Girls Are by Susan Douglas.

[Both focus on feminism as portrayed in the media, the first book is more current. Her writing style is funny and easy to read]

The World Split Open by Ruth Rosen

[A good readable history of the women's movement in the 1960s-70s]

Backlash by Susan Faludi

[really clear explanation about the antifeminist messages, esp. in the media; first published in 1991 but most of those messages are still around]

These are my picks— Susan Douglas is a special favorite among students in the US women's history classes I've been a TA for. (History and the role of the media go a long way towards explaining the state of women's rights issues today).