OK, so I’m pretty liberal when it comes to females being viewed as sexual beings (notice I did NOT say sexual OBJECTS.)  There are many contexts where I think it is perfectly acceptable to see women as being sexual (porn, in particular cuz let’s face it – that’s what it’s all about!)  Strippers fall into this category too – they are there to be sexy/sexual for their clients.  Again, that’s what it’s all about.  You know where this is going – I’m going to tell you that there ARE contexts where I think women are treated as sexual objects.  Where men (and shockingly enough OTHER WOMEN) have sexist viewpoints.  And yes, I am going to give you an example. ***WARNING: I am setting up my soap box and stepping on up…***

So, last night my dude and I were spending some rare and much needed down-time in front of the TV.  Usually when I watch TV I want it to be mindless entertainment, which is exactly why we were watching an episode of MTV Cribs.  And along came Dale Earnhardt, Jr. with his palatial estate.   After a lengthy tour around his impressive home, he headed out to show off his arsenal of cars.  I think there were about 5 in all, and standing next to each one of them was a hot chick, with a dumb-ass grin, dressed in a skimpy bikini. Just standing there.  Next to the car.  Dumb-ass grins – every one of ‘em.  They weren’t doing anything – not even a little “Vanna White” action with their arms.  Nope, they were just standing there lookin’ purdy.  Now, I realize WHY they were there, but seriously, WHY were they there?  I know, I know – chicks and cars.  They go together.  Dudes LOVE chicks and cars – always have, probably always will.  And for a nice poster, I’d have to agree they make a nice combo.  But for showing off cars on MTV Cribs?  They served absolutely NO useful purpose.  As one who enjoys looking at cars, and beautiful women, I found it downright distracting.  This was Dale’s car collection, so I’m assuming I’m supposed to be paying attention to the cars?  Should I look at the women as though they were also a collection?  Was the woman supposed to be displaying the car, or was she PART of the display?  And if so, why didn’t Dale say – and here is my harem?  He took the time to name and give general details of each car but not so much as an acknowledgment of the chick standing next to it.  So, I gather the cars were more a priority.  The woman was just a “prop”.  And more questions swirl around in my head.  Were the cars not beautiful enough to stand on their own?  Did these ladies get paid, and if so how much?  Were they just models from an agency?  (Call me crazy but, I’d pose for Playboy for FREE before I’d do a gig like that for money! Even I have my limits!)  And no doubt there were women participating in the production of this episode – for Chrissakes the producer of Cribs is a woman – I wonder what they thought?.  Most likely these women have had their own experiences of being treated as only a vagina.  Forgive me for being crass, but I find the whole thing disgusting.  Am I making too much of something that most likely was just “a cute little idea”?  Perhaps.  Could this one portrayal of women make a negative impact on women and men watching it?  Probably not just that one, but it’s that one and the deluge of other instances like it that start to add up.  After constantly seeing women as objects, do we not tend to become numb to it’s subtle effect upon our psyches and self-esteem?  Our viewpoint and treatment of women?

But hey, I’m realistic.  I know many folks in this world are sexist.  Geez, I live in Vegas, where every other billboard/taxi/local magazine has a half-naked woman on it.  I get it.  And somehow in this sexist world  there are still many amazing women who posses self-esteem, wit, integrity, and honor (even women raised in *gasp* Las Vegas!).  So, what is my conclusion?  Well, this was more of a rant than a profound social commentary.  I may not be able to make much of an impact on the world, but I can have a big impact on at least two people in it.   And I will do my damndest to teach my daughter (and just as importantly, my son) the difference between a “sexual being” and a “sexual object”.  This may not keep her from posing for Playboy some day, but I sure hope it keeps her from competing in a beauty contest with a Corvette.