Wait, don't men want to skydive too?

[bill2 0]

Ecofeminist Carol Adams discusses the sexualization of meat in society Thursday night in Annenberg Hall. "There is a world of suffering in every bite of meat," Adams told an audience of about 100 people (Katie Russell/The Daily Northwestern)
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"What do men want? Great sex and great steak, and not necessarily in that order," author Carol Adams told about 100 people Thursday night in Annenberg Hall while showing a slide of a man and woman embracing in front of a meat counter.
"Sure, they want money and power, but only because of what they can bring them: great sex and great steak," she said.
Adams, an ecofeminist, author used this slide and many others in "The Sexual Politics of Meat," a presentation based on her novel of the same name.
The event was co-sponsored by Women's Coalition, the Women's Center, Justice for All and the undergraduate sociology department.
During the slideshow Adams' addressed issues of sexism, racism and speciesism while posing the question, "How does one become a piece of meat?"
"My becoming vegetarian had little to do with my feminism or so I thought," said Adams, referring to her decision to avoid meat despite growing up on a farm where meat-eating was "normalized." She said she made the decision when her pony was shot and she could no longer eat a hamburger without feeling guilty.
Adams discussed the extent to which meat-eating culture permeates our society, with meat-laden writing exercises in children's textbooks and lessons on a balanced meat-inclusive diet. Children are often told, "That's why cows exist," and, "That cow wanted to be eaten," she said.
Images of butchered meat flashed on the screen as Adams described the use of the "absent referent" by meat-eaters to avoid thinking of the foods they consume as living beings.
Adams said inequality is made sexy in the world of advertising. Rear-end photographs of women and animals emphasize the bondage and vulnerability of both groups, who are dominated in our society, she said. For instance, before it became a pornographic magazine, "Hustler" was a restaurant in Cleveland that used the menu slogan, "We serve the best meat in town," under a picture of a woman's buttocks, she said.
"These images send the message that certain bodies can be sold," Adams said. "All women live in sexual objectification as fish do in water."
She added that, in contrast, ads showing men as meat usually depict them as "beef cakes."
But she urged the audience to understand that it is time for change. "There is a world of suffering in every bite of meat, but we are working for a whole new world," she said.
Doug Morrow, a vegan and senior at Pomona College said the presentation made him better informed. "My immediate instinct is that it made me very sad to see so clearly this representation of women and animals, as they are dually repressed," he said. "But it has made me stronger in my ability to talk to others."

[ChromeBoy 0]

"How can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat."
- Pink Floyd

[Jessica 0]

I've seen her speak, and own her book. She's quite intelligent, and makes some very good points. It's nothing new, though. SEXISM IN ADVERTISING? GASP!
Taking nominations for new screen name.

[coconutmonkey 0]

Hey, great article! Let's go to Hooters and get the Surf n' Turf and discuss it!
Why, yes, I am a cultural philistine.

[SkydiveMonkey 0]

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"How can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat."

[beavis] huhuhuhuhuhuh ... [/beavis]
boobies - the cause of, and solution to, all of lifes problems

[Sebazz1 2]

[monty python]ECOFEMINIST!!!.........AHHHHHHHHHH!!.......RUN AWAY!!..... RUN AWAY!!.....RUN AWAY!!...[/montey python]
SEBAZZ.......

[quade 4]

She may have some good points, but this article certainly makes her out to be a nutcase (at least that's how I see it).

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During the slideshow Adams' addressed issues of sexism, racism and speciesism while posing the question, "How does one become a piece of meat?"

So, it's ok to be a "kingdomist"?
If we question the eating of meat based on "speciesism" then shouldn't we also question the slaughter of innocent corn and soybeans?

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"My becoming vegetarian had little to do with my feminism or so I thought," said Adams, referring to her decision to avoid meat despite growing up on a farm where meat-eating was "normalized." She said she made the decision when her pony was shot and she could no longer eat a hamburger without feeling guilty.

Eating a lot of horseburgers was she?

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Adams discussed the extent to which meat-eating culture permeates our society, with meat-laden writing exercises in children's textbooks and lessons on a balanced meat-inclusive diet. Children are often told, "That's why cows exist," and, "That cow wanted to be eaten," she said.

Oh, and like the corn wants to be eaten?
Don't get me wrong, there are a LOT of reasons to cut down on the consumption of meat, I eat a near meatless diet myself, but sexisim is kinda reaching.
"Ecofeminist"? What the f? Sounds to me like she just wants a lecture circuit and some book sales.
quade
http://futurecam.com

[airdrew20012001 0]

Whatever. Sorry, but while I agree that women are objectified by men and all, I also believe women do the same damn thing. We live in a highly sexualized society. Generalizations like all men want is great sex and great steak are like all other generalizations such as all women are bad drivers. I have a female roomate and lots and lots of female co-workers. If what they do in our female dominated lunching isn't sexual objectification of men then I don't know what the hell it is. I would go so far as to say that women are worse in groups than constructions workers. Hey, don't get me wrong, I agree that women have been treated terribly in our history but this kind of generalist propaganda makes it real hard to take seriousely.
Ok, let the stoning begin....
Drewfus McDoofus

[kmcguffee 0]

You have got to be kidding me?! [biting tongue] I.....must.....walk........away!
I'm all in favor of keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of fools. Let's start with typewriters.

[Schroeder 0]

I'm biased, but I agree with her. She did make some rather far-reaching statements, like the one Drew noted, but I think those are generalizations are made so blatently so that they drive home a point a little more. Her use of the phrase "absent referent" is right-on. The way people separate the meat from the living being it once was is, in my opinion pretty disgusting. About her pony, I understand that too. I grew up in northern BC, hunting and fishing for 18 years. I've taken down animals like Bear and Moose, and I tell you, if you do it a couple times yourself (rather than pay someone else to do it for you, prepare the meat, etc.) then you get a better understanding for the process. To hit a moose but not kill it, to have to follow a blood-soaked trail, then find it and finish it off at close range, really, really, isn't pretty. To gut and clean a moose. The list goes on. I found early on that there was life inside those bodies, that may not be human, but still, it's life. I gave it up as some of you might know, as soon as I could. I should note that my saying all that was just to show where I'm coming from, not to instigate the usual defense mechanisms of non-vegans.
And the link to feminism. I agree that the two are displayed in surprisingly similar light. All of this aside from the porn industry, it's quite noticable.
At least, that's my opinion. Nothing more, nothing less.
"and if her "lawyer" friends don't like it, f*ck'em, let em riot...
....we're Sonic f*ck'n Death Monkey..."

[skyhawk 2]

ok humans are made to eat meat and plants, thats how we are made. lions kill for food so do sharks and crocodiles etc etc thats nature infact the earth relies on this, havnt you all seen the lion king as someone else said chicks nowdays are alot more "biased" towards guys, come on how many ppl in this world are tall dark and handsome, oh and great personality, funny, rich, good job, sweet but rugard etc etc, whereas most guys only care that she looks half decent
Opinions are like a-holes everyone has one, the only one that does you any good is yours and all that comes out is shit

[Michele 1]

What in hell does meat have to do with sexism? I'm a woman. I am not an Ecofeminist - whatever that actually means...I don't care if you eat meat or not, but I like it. I do not feel subjugated in any way when I eat a steak, or a burger. Hey, I was even chewing on a peice of beef jerky whilst reading this thread.
Advertising can be sexist. You never see a guy discussing what kind of laundry soap to use, or what brand of soap is better for the face, etc. But I don't see it as anything but advertising - which is simply a tool designed to part me with what little money I have, using whatever wiles the advertising company can come up with.
And just what is an ecofeminist? An Eco-logy Feminist? Or an Eco-nomy feminist (as in people will pay for anything as long as it has a label?)
JMHO
Ciels and Pinks-
Michele
If you really want to, you can seize the day; if you really want to, you can fly away...
~enya~

[billvon 3,070]

>The way people separate the meat from the living being it once was is, in my
> opinion pretty disgusting.
I get a kick out of the cartoon characters some restaraunts use in their menus. Cute chickens and fish. Whenever I see that I'm reminded of the old Buck Henry's Least Loved Bedtime Stories on Saturday Night Live:
"So did Fox throw Br'er Rabbit in the briar patch, Uncle Buck?"
"Well, no, that wiley fox knew that's just what Br'er Rabbit wanted. Instead, he skinned him alive and cooked him over an open fire. Br'er Rabbit screamed for half an hour before he burned to death, begging the fox to kill him, but the fox just let him burn. OK, time for bed. Pleasant dreams."
I always wondered how it would change what people ate if there was a glass wall that let you watch as your dinner was slaughtered.
>And the link to feminism. I agree that the two are displayed in surprisingly >similar light. All of this aside from the porn industry, it's quite noticable.
That I don't see at all. Women are presented as sex objects as-is; the media attempts to define a woman by her breasts, or her butt or whatever. Meat is essentially the opposite. It is separated from ever having been part of a living animal; food animals are portrayed as completely fictional cute characters if they are presented at all.
-bill von

[billvon 3,070]

>ok humans are made to eat meat and plants, thats how we are made. lions kill
> for food so do sharks and crocodiles etc etc thats nature infact the earth
>relies on this, havnt you all seen the lion king . . .
Well, animals kill each other too. Doesn't mean that we should be killing people to "be part of nature."
-bill von

[skybytch 273]

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I grew up in northern BC, hunting and fishing for 18 years. I've taken down animals like Bear and Moose, and I tell you, if you do it a couple times yourself (rather than pay someone else to do it for you, prepare the meat, etc.) then you get a better understanding for the process.

I spent 10 years of my childhood on a cattle ranch. Every calving season we'd get at least one of what they called "bummer" calves - orphans that we had to bottle feed. We named them, raised them... then when they were old enough we'd slaughter them. I've watched as "my" steer was shot and then butchered before my eyes - the whole process, from the rifle shot through the wrapping of the meat. Same thing with several 4H lamb projects, a batch of chickens we'd raised from chicks and a couple of hogs that we raised from piglets.
Did any of that make me not want to eat meat? No. I respect anyone who chooses not to, but imho livestock are not here for any other reason than to provide food, clothing and other things for humans. I refuse to feel guilty for being at or near the top of the food chain.
pull & flare,
lisa
[subliminal msg]My website Go Now[/subliminal msg]

[freeflir29 0]

I don't practice any speciesism whatsoever.......
Oh yes...I love the cartoon characters on stuff. I noticed it in particular the other day on a story about whaling in Japan. The package of whale meat in the grocery store had this happy blue whale on it. Didn't quite look the same with a harpoon hanging out the side.....
Personally, I would rather kill what I intend to eat myself. Then I know where it has been. Ever been to a slaughter house? Pretty disgusting! Ever processed a deer yourself? I don't have maggots crawling all over the place in my garage.
Back to the cartoon thing....Ever see that episode of the Simpsons where they go to the steak house and you can pick out your own cow? Mr. Burns says..."Ohhh...I'll take that one. (The chef kills the cow with one of those shocking tools) No..No...wait that one....no wait ...that one.....Well....maybe I'll just have a salad." I laughed my ass off!!!! If you can't come to terms with where that delicious steak just came from have corn instead...besides....plants are easier to catch!
"It's all about the BOOBIES!"

[james1010 0]

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I always wondered how it would change what people ate if there was a glass wall that let you watch as your dinner was slaughtered.

Growing up in a remote rural area of Texas, hunting and fishing is a part of life for many kids. I do it for sport now, but back then it was for food. My dad made arrangements with this man that owned a large pecan orchard that allowed us to go plug all the squirrels and rabbits we could. That doesn't sit well with alot of people, but if we didn't do that there'd be days where we wouldn't eat. I can't possibly imagine a diet without meat being in the majority. I believe everyone has a craving for meat whether they admit it or not.
[Sam Elliot] BEEF . . it's what's for dinner. [/Sam Elliot]
James

[kmcguffee 0]

What about all of those poor innocent little plants that she is killing? You insensitive plant murderer!
I'm all in favor of keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of fools. Let's start with typewriters.

[xybe 0]

Name the movie:
I'm a frutarian, I only eat fruits that have naturally fallen from trees.
Still shedding whuffo-ness
Check out the Hardcore Whuffo pages

[ChromeBoy 0]

Tarzan?

[JDBoston 0]

Yeah, didn't anyone ever tell her that hamburgers don't come from ponies? Seriously, this feels to me like a media and language issue (similar portrayal of women and meat, use of "piece of meat" as a figure of speech to refer to women and tandem passengers).
There may be similarities between sexual objectification and the dehumanization of food animals. But it doesn't follow that one is morally obligated to be a vegetarian if one realizes this and wants to treat women better. Animals are animals, not humans. Sure, they're cute and furry, but guess what - if we released them all from their confinement and let them roam free, their 3-square a day would turn to famine and getting torn apart by other animals. Is it morally better to let nature take its inevitable course, so they'll rot out there in the woods somewhere, than it is to make some use out of them? Humans are omnivores, like dogs. Meat is part of our diet. If anyone doubts that, they can look in the mirror and examine those little pointy teeth on either side of the middle four.
As an aside, I actually don't try to dissociate my meat from its source at all. I like it better when it retains some of its original shape - such as drumsticks, squid & octopus, steak with a bone in it, and so on. That way I feel more connected to it, and it feels less processed and artificial.
Joe

[billvon 3,070]

>That doesn't sit well with alot of people, but if we didn't do that there'd be days
> where we wouldn't eat.
Last time I was in Africa, I was the guest of honor at a dinner in a small village so they asked me to kill the chicken. All they had was a dull knife. I felt bad for the bird - an axe seems a lot more humane.
>I can't possibly imagine a diet without meat being in the majority. I believe
> everyone has a craving for meat whether they admit it or not.
I don't, and I don't even really think about it that much. I eat meat about twice a week - the last time was Sunday. There are whole cultures that almost never eat meat - 90% of their diet is carbohydrates from rice or grain.
-bill von

[freeflir29 0]

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There are whole cultures that almost never eat meat - 90% of their diet is carbohydrates from rice or grain

Very true....I know a guy from Gambia (Small country in North West Africa) that promptly had a major case of gout (SP?) after he moved to the US and started eating Big Macs several times a week. LOL His body just couldn't handle that much protein. In Gambia his diet consisted of mostly fruits, veggies, and grains and then some chicken or fish once or twice a week. Red meat was a rarity. Although this was only partly choice but mostly economic necessity.
Yeah...this chic is just spewing femme nazi bullshit. "It's all about the BOOBIES!"

[kmcguffee 0]

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There are whole cultures that almost never eat meat - 90% of their diet is carbohydrates from rice or grain.

You ever see one of these guys win a Mr Olympia? I don't think so! Scrawny wimps I tell ya!
I'm all in favor of keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of fools. Let's start with typewriters.

[freeflir29 0]

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You ever see one of these guys win a Mr Olympia?

No...but they kick the shit out of marathons all the time...."It's all about the BOOBIES!"