The short answer to this is no. Read up and you can see much to validate that claim. If you have an axe to grind, an agenda, insecurities involving men or reservations about simply being a woman, then the answer is not as clear.
This issue came to light a few weeks back when a fellow blogger and friend (a sort of feminist who I love dearly) remarked on a picture that I had up for one of my posts which featured a woman in body paint holding a football. She wondered why I had chosen to showcase an image that sexualized a woman in this manner. I felt the image fit the context of my blog entry. I then remarked that every once and awhile a women will try to take the points of this blog and spin it into something where I allegedly advocate misogyny and chauvinism. Much to my surprise (and disappointment) she agreed with the assessment.
What!?!? How!?!? Is merely articulating my desires, insecurities, fears and fantasies as a man that grave an offense? She said it was not so much that as the fact that during many of my posts I would be articulating deep and insightful thoughts but then spoil them by referencing an attractive woman or something that was too overtly male. As if to be taken seriously, I must shift into something genderless or, if not that, something neutered. This speaks to a greater problem facing many men who chose to share their thoughts in a public forum, but that's another post.
She also claimed that if I sought to attract women, displaying sexy pictures illustrating women that I found attractive would not help me. That may be the case with some, but far from all. It's not an either or thing in my opinion and provided that proper context is given, I see no harm in putting up any picture I damn well please. If a sexy (yet far from pornographic) picture is that rattling, is this the woman I'd want to be with anyway? The answer is a resounding "no" as she has other issues afoot and perhaps a lack of critical faculties.
Now, my dear readers, this is NOT a post to vilify my friend. It's simply a rebuttal to her observations. The woman in question does indeed posses vast amounts of intelligence and and critical skill, but she's younger. She's still learning to separate the ideal from the realities. And when she does, what a force to be reckoned with. She's already one now. The reality (in this case) is that this man can think and write with both brains (why use one when you've got two?) and will continue to do so. Why? Because it's honest. To shut out one brain would be a fraud.
I.AM.A.MAN!!!
For better or worse you will get that here. Have I wrote about women from my past as if they were disposable because the interfered with the goals and mission of your blogger? Yes. Have I voiced my frustrations with women in a manner that makes them seem evil? Sure. Have I written about my love and appreciation of them here? Yes! I realize that some things I write may turn off many women and other things may turn them on while others have no effect whatsoever. But the biggest turn off would be for me to write and display only what women want to hear or see. Watch Lifetime if you want that. The best I can do is give you an honest account of me, what I love, hate, and all the stuff in between.
Next.....
Would I go back?
Do you sometimes feel protected by some unforeseen force even though you're not a religious whack job?
