Thoughts on “Sextremism”

[Squinch]

33. I agree with the OP in its characterization of FEMEN but I see value in the FEMEN movement.

I see Western FEMEN more as a kind of radical performance art, and their work in that context has genius to it. There is collossal wit to the FEMEN movement as it is used in the Western culture.

I think it's no mistake that they are getting the attention and support of anti-feminists who mistakenly believe themselves to be feminists. The FEMEN performers are very slyly, but very intentionally, making fun of these same anti-feminists by saying, "Don't you see what an idiot you are to let me control your attention this way?" It's a way to point out the large group of people whose habitual response is "I support feminism and respect women as equals," when their actions and attitudes prove the opposite.

It is a razor's edge: they are pointing out the hypocracy of those who are paying attention to them because they are topless, and winking at the fact that those who support them mistakenly think they are supporting feminism. When you look at their messages ("Muslims: let's get naked" "Go to war against dictatorship&quot they seem designed not to be taken seriously. If they wore serious slogans, the whole tone of the movement would be different.

This, to me, seems to be pretty clearly tongue in cheek but in a really radical and multi-levelled way.

However, their movement, while fascinating to watch, does make fun of many of its proponents. That is a fatal flaw for any organization.

I could be completely mistaken in this, and these women might just want to be showing their bodies, but I don't think it's that simple.

And again, I am speaking of the movement as it is used in the Western culture. I am not commenting on Amina. I am too ignorant of Middle Eastern Muslim culture to feel like I can critique or even fully understand the meaning of her actions.