Some Brooklyn denizens have taken it upon themselves to recreate the iconic 1960s anti-war poster
featuring Joan Baez that said "Girls say yes to boys who say no." The
new (pro-Obama) poster reads "Girls say yes to men who say Obama," and
it's creating a wee tempest in the ladyblogosphere. The women of Bust are pro-poster, calling it "cheeky" and adding, "It?s nice to see that politics can still be fun." The women at Salon aren't so amused.
They call it "obnoxiously retrograde", "gross", and firebrand Rebcca Traister remarks, "the idea of any kind of political action is being taken to impress the opposite sex ? or that guys would only vote a certain way if a woman promised sex at the end (that's also totally the only way you get them to pay for dinner, incidentally) ? sort of makes me want to drown myself."
Personally, I think it's a little self-consciously cutesy, certainly derivative and ironically playing into outdated sexual mores, but ultimately harmless. However, these ladies are not the first to give the election a sexual tint. Radar has a roundup of politically-themed porn, and writer Erica Sackin asks, "When did we start channeling support for candidates through our Kegel muscles?" She also wonders whether or not political porn is partisan.
"The difference in what appeals to people seems to have less to do with if they're Republicans or Democrats and more to do with how old they are?the younger they are, the more enthusiastic they are for somewhat ribald takes on the election," she argues. Aw, porn: reaching down pants on both sides of the aisle!
Girls Say Yes [Bust]
Putting Out For Barack [Salon]
Sexual Politics [Radar]
http://jezebel.com/5067835/are-girls-saying-yes-to-a-tasteless-political-message
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I love it!!!
Re: Sexist? "Girls Say Yes to Boys Who Say Obama"
The image doesn't fit the slogan. Those gals are hardly putting off a "come hither" vibe.
I think its funny. Its obviously tongue-in-cheek humor.
I'd wear the shirt.
I don't know that they're doing "come hither"... I think they're trying to re-do the old anti-war one...
I am the 99%.
Mom, that is exactly what they are doing.
Also keep in mind these are hipster girls. I'm not sure hipster girls do "come hither" looks in the way we traditionally recognize them. Lol.
I see your point. Though to me the original ad still seems sexier somehow.
I am not shocked. I am indifferent. Could be sexist or not. Who cares? At least I'm not the idiot posing for the photo.
On one hand I think it's cute and ironic. Sex sells, and I wouldn't be afraid to use it in marketing.
HOWEVER, I do still think its sexist. I think Traister said it best:
So, I guess I'm a little shocked more of you aren't offended by this.