vile bodies

i was flipping through the tv channels at my brother's house last night before settling down to watch pink panther, and came across this show that is like "american idol" but for dancing. stellar, think i, i love dancing so i'll check this out and it will be some groovy moves. basically it was women writhing around on the floor and shaking things that should not be shaken. last time i checked you didn't have to be a dancer to do that, just a whore. i went on a tirade of traumatized sensibilities and otto listened very patiently. and then i thought of wendy shalitt's excellent book return to modesty. yes, ms. shalitt, you are exactly right. this is supposed to be women's liberation? what, did one of the now tiresomely infamous bra-burning fore-runners of the modern fem movement walk up to all the prostitutes and say, "you're liberated! you can do this all you want and not get paid! and even if you try to still charge, no one will want to pay because we're going to do the same thing but for free!"
europe is very sad for similar reasons. i was amazed at the seemingly infinite variety of ways that italian women have found to share their intimissimi with the world. now that's classy and self-respecting, ladies, let me tell you! i swear if you dress like that the men will NOT look at you as just a body. and if they do, well, you're liberated anyway so have at it.
i am reminded of my first attempt at college, when i was a 17 year old theatre major. johann, a highly promiscuous jamaican chappie, would not stop touching me so i finally threatend him. he responded with, "oh, please let me touch your body. it would be such a privilege to touch your beautiful body." yes, johann, it is a privilege. leave me alone, johann, and go fondle your girlfriend. it should be common knowledge that with any privilege comes responsibility. the intimacy and beauty and pleasure of touching bodies is a gift given in trust, love, security, and selfless vulnerability, not for the visceral satiation of some selfish child; a satiation that is only temporary anyway, and truly does turn what should be beautiful into an encounter of vile bodies.
i could keep going for a very long time about this, but i will stop now. i would HIGHLY recommend, however, wendy shalitt's book, as well as alice von hildebrand's the privilege of being a woman.
also, these fellows are truly excellent and should be listened to on a regular basis to keep away the doctor. i think they're norwegian, but don't hold that against them.