It’s clever that you let a woman editor be in charge on this feature — when women such as myself clap back at it’s ridiculousness, you’ll have a woman to blame.
If you want to empower women, stop selling sex on your pages. Your swimsuit issue exists to sexually excite men with sexy photos of women; there is no other reason for it. Studies show that repeated exposure to images like these re-wires the brain so that the women in the photos – and all women – are viewed more as objects than people. Writing the word “progressive” across a woman’s naked torso will do NOTHING to change that.
Nice try, though. Not that you were really trying. I know a publicity stunt when I see one, and it’s working, because I’m giving you publicity, I suppose. But I hope I’m also EMPOWERING mothers like myself to SPEAK OUT against what you are doing. I think you should SCRAP the swimsuit issue and stick to what you’re good at: sports. And if you want to EMPOWER women and girls, do an issue solely on the amazing Olympic athletes we’re having the privilege to watch right now. Feature them fully clothed, in their performance gear: ski suits and ice dancing dresses, spiky luge gloves and bobsled helmets. protective eyewear and padding for snowboarding. Show these strong, hard-working women covered HEAD TO TOE in their PROFESSIONAL dress, and I will give you some empowerment points.
Until then, just call your softcore porn what it is. None of us are fooled, and you’ll save yourself the embarrassment of being a total farce. With this “In Her Own Words” photo essay, you’re not just objectifying women, you’re INSULTING OUR INTELLIGENCE.
Other than that, enjoy your Monday.
Jenny
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