Originally posted by: return_to_hades
It baffles me how the discussion of objectification always gets derailed into objectifying item songs.
The central issue is consent. The next issue is fantasy vs. reality. Let us leave aside our Bollywood divas.
A person may choose to be a stripper, a po*n star, or an escort. They do so out of free will. They have control of the situation. They have a certain amount of comfort and security. They command a certain amount of respect from their employers and clients. Their performance is fantasy and fiction for entertainment. Outside their job they are normal people who demand dignity and respect. Just because their bread and butter is titillation does not mean other people can disrespect them or take their bodies for granted. Even within their jobs there are limitations. People cannot cross certain lines.
Item girls, models, movie stars are the same. They may titillate or expose in movies. They will be objectified for that song, photo shoot or film. That is where the objectification ends. Outside that they deserve dignity and respect.
Recently, in USA there were cases where po*n stars faced sexual assault and sexual harassment. In one infamous case the key issue was whether a po*n star can attend university and demand her peers treat her like an equal student without lewd comments or harassment. In India we are still debating and discussing the rights of item girls and models. The positive is that, it is an issue now. A few years ago it wasn't even up for discussion. Hopefully, we will get there someday.
The other issue in the DP case was the kind of publication. TMZ a gossip website is notorious for sleazy stuff like sensationalizing wardrobe malfunctions, nip slips etc. Tabloids do the same. New York Times or Washington Post would never dare enter such territory even in their entertainment sections. There is a very strong line drawn between news and sensationalism. The problem with the DP case was that a mainstream newspaper dove into the TMZ type of territory. It raises a question as to where are we as a society when there is no dividing line between news and the sleazy sensational stuff.
As for PC. I don't know about others, but many times when PC comes on screen I view her as eye candy, a tease, someone to salivate and drool over. If she doesn't find that as objectification, good, I don't feel as bad. At the same time, PC is a person. I'm not leering at her boobs or legs 24/7. I'm not waiting for a wardrobe malfunction. I view her as an individual much more than her body. There are many out there who haven't learned these lines yet.
Dr Aarambhi
Anupamaa
12