Beyond Parody
Knickers in knots all around at Harvard, as Jada Pinkett Smith forgets to be inclusive of the trannies, et al, while giving "the story of her life." Naturally, words like "heteronormative" were tossed around:
Pinkett Smith was honored as the Foundation’s “Artist of the Year” at its 20th annual Cultural Rhythms show, which she also hosted.BGLTSA Co-Chair Jordan B. Woods ’06 said that, while many BGLTSA members thought Pinkett Smith’s speech was “motivational,” some were insulted because they thought she narrowly defined the roles of men and women in relationships.
“Some of the content was extremely heteronormative, and made BGLTSA members feel uncomfortable,” he said.
Calling the comments heteronormative, according to Woods, means they implied that standard sexual relationships are only between males and females.
“Our position is that the comments weren’t homophobic, but the content was specific to male-female relationships,” Woods said.
Happily, in the wake of this incident, The Crimson reports that the "Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, Transgender, and Supporters Alliance (BGLTSA) and the Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations have begun working together to increase sensitivity toward issues of sexuality at Harvard." Well, there's a relief. I'd hate to think of these people spending their time in class, which might lead them to graduate and assume positions of power in the real world.
I have no problem with anyone increasing their sensitivity toward issues of sexuality, as long as they continue to fuck me like the bitch that I am.
Another chuckler from the world of gender studies: "homosocial." That's when guys watch football together. My biggest gripe with these specialized words is that they don't communicate ideas very well. May I offer an example of heteronormativity? I attended a same-sex wedding ceremony a few weeks ago, and I was really grossed out by the look of the crowd. Most people there were dressed as though they were interviewing for mid-level management positions at insurance companies. I was the only one in black leather! An outrage! Everything that's interesting and sexy about gay male culture in the U.S. is dying.
Lena-doodle-doo at March 3, 2005 7:17 AM
More Jadatrocity via Kaus:
> "Women, you can have it all—a loving man,
> devoted husband, loving children, a
> fabulous career," she said. "They say you
> gotta choose. Nah, nah, nah. We are a new
> generation of women. We got to set a new
> standard of rules around here. You can do
> whatever it is you want. All you have to do
> is want it."
For constrasting views, see also "untempered motherhood impulse" (me, yesterday) and "we have to choose" by Amy, a few days earlier.
Jada's not heteronormative, she's ego-supremative.
Please, let's all say it together: HUMAN NATURE IS NOT IN TRANSITION. There have been no meaningful changes in the past 10,000 years. Our insights have not made this a bold new day of endless fulfillment and painless opportunity.
Cridland at March 3, 2005 7:46 AM
Jada's an ass.
That was the idiotnormative.
Amy Alkon at March 3, 2005 8:09 AM
PS I, too, find the BeaverClearverization of the homo-hood horrifying. Next thing you know, Lady Bunny will be going to work in wing tips.
Amy Alkon at March 3, 2005 8:11 AM
Hi Amy -
"BeaverClearverization" - I love the word. So, so much is behind the very concept. Have you any idea of the cultural referents required to explain the term to, say, a French person unfamiliar with US culture, Minnow's Vast Wasteland, and 1950s American male adolescence ?
L'Amerloque
L'Amerloque at March 3, 2005 8:33 AM
I can barely explain red state/blue state!
Amy Alkon at March 3, 2005 8:37 AM
"You can do whatever it is you want. All you have to do is want it."
Jada's not only ego-supremative, she's delusional and childish!
One more thing: have you heard that bitch speak? She's got a voice like fingernails on a chalkboard. Though I must say she's got great taste in gay husbands.
Isn't it fun being bitchy?
PS, Crid: Human behavior is a lot more observable -- and hence, interesting -- than human nature is, yes?
Lena-doodle-doo at March 3, 2005 8:39 AM
Well, each one one tells about the other.
Let's talk about celebrities, via Defamer:
"Denise Richards is divorcing Charlie Sheen... Of course, there is the somewhat intriguing twist that Richards is six months pregnant with their second child...."
Stories like these make women seem like reproduction robots: Fecundity at all costs, children's spirits be damned. Yesterday's doctor from Illinois proves that being a really well-programmed robot doesn't help.
Cridland at March 3, 2005 9:10 AM
"Children's spirits be damned."
I believe a similar sentiment informs the president's plans for Medicaid, WIC, and Food Stamps.
Lena at March 3, 2005 9:57 AM
Perhaps, but only if you believe the responsibility of a president to his voters is that of a mother to her child.
Cridland at March 3, 2005 10:07 AM
"that of a mother to her child."
-- A metaphor that, analytically, is about as useful as verbiage such as "heteronormative."
Lena at March 3, 2005 5:06 PM
'Zackly, which is why I don't understand why you offered it.
In these times, feminine love is a license to kill. I think this is bad. The blessings of masculine love are invisible for some reason.
Cridland at March 3, 2005 8:45 PM
I offered you no metaphor, bubby. What is so "motherly" about not wanting to slash Medicaid, which covers 23 million children in low-income families?
"The blessings of masculine love"? Crid, what is happening to you? It sounds like you've been awarded tenure at the UTF (University of Touchy Feely).
Lena at March 3, 2005 8:56 PM
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