Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
Showing Original Post only (View all)Mika Brzezinski’s erotic dance (from Salon.com) [View all]
Last edited Wed Sep 19, 2012, 11:06 AM - Edit history (1)
Mika Brzezinskis erotic dance
A new photograph in Vanity Fair offers yet another example of the "pornification" of political culture
By Karrin Anderson
Vanity Fairs short profile of MSNBCs Morning Joe hosts Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough ostensibly depicts them as a dynamic duo reminiscent of the great screwball comedies of the 1940s (the article references The Thin Mans Nick and Nora). But the sassy journalist heroines popularized by Rosalind Russell and Katharine Hepburn would have balked at a photo shoot like this onewhich is both reflective of current attitudes toward professional and political women and jarringly anachronistic. The notion that women exist primarily for mens amusement (both on and off the job) seems oh so Mad Men, yet the trend toward depicting public women (especially those whose jobs place them in the realm of politics) primarily as sex objects is alive and well in the 21st century. The pornification of political culture (a process in which some women participate willingly and others have foisted upon them after their image is conscripted) has depicted political candidates (e.g., Sarah Palin and Janice Hahn) and women voters (in viral videos like this one and this one from the 2008 campaign) as strippers.
BagNewsNotes Looks like its Mikas turn. Not a stripper, you say? Well, what else do we call women who dance on tables for mens spectatorial enjoyment? Although the brief article that accompanies this picture emphasizes both Scarboroughs and Brzezinskis various flirtations (with each other, Roger Ailes, andin Scarboroughs casethe American electorate), the image tells the familiar story of a man who commands the attention of others and a woman who seeks only the attention of that man.
Gaze plays an important role in this visual narrative. Just as Scarborough is identified as the dominant persona on the show that bears his moniker (hes identified as the host, whereas Brzezinski is the co-host), his gaze is turned outward while Brzezinskis focuses exclusively on him. Rather than sitting parallel to Scarborough, Brzezinski is placed on a tablethe empty chair underscoring her status as an accessory.
When women accessorize men in this fashion, it diminishes womens credibility while simultaneously bolstering mens heterosexual virility and strength. Its important to note that in addition to playing up the alleged sexual tension between Scarborough and Brzezinski, the Vanity Fair piece announces Scarboroughs potential presidential aspirations. Should he worry that a picture like this one might make him look less presidential? Sadly, no. U.S. presidentiality is so thoroughly masculinized, weve become accustomed to seeing our presidents surrounded by women playing supporting roles, whose presence complements mens performances as Patriarch-in-Chief. Thats one of the reasons women candidates have trouble being perceived as authentically presidential. Conversely, should Brzezinski harbor political or professional aspirations that contradict this narrative, the image would be a significant liability.
A new photograph in Vanity Fair offers yet another example of the "pornification" of political culture
By Karrin Anderson
Vanity Fairs short profile of MSNBCs Morning Joe hosts Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough ostensibly depicts them as a dynamic duo reminiscent of the great screwball comedies of the 1940s (the article references The Thin Mans Nick and Nora). But the sassy journalist heroines popularized by Rosalind Russell and Katharine Hepburn would have balked at a photo shoot like this onewhich is both reflective of current attitudes toward professional and political women and jarringly anachronistic. The notion that women exist primarily for mens amusement (both on and off the job) seems oh so Mad Men, yet the trend toward depicting public women (especially those whose jobs place them in the realm of politics) primarily as sex objects is alive and well in the 21st century. The pornification of political culture (a process in which some women participate willingly and others have foisted upon them after their image is conscripted) has depicted political candidates (e.g., Sarah Palin and Janice Hahn) and women voters (in viral videos like this one and this one from the 2008 campaign) as strippers.
BagNewsNotes Looks like its Mikas turn. Not a stripper, you say? Well, what else do we call women who dance on tables for mens spectatorial enjoyment? Although the brief article that accompanies this picture emphasizes both Scarboroughs and Brzezinskis various flirtations (with each other, Roger Ailes, andin Scarboroughs casethe American electorate), the image tells the familiar story of a man who commands the attention of others and a woman who seeks only the attention of that man.
Gaze plays an important role in this visual narrative. Just as Scarborough is identified as the dominant persona on the show that bears his moniker (hes identified as the host, whereas Brzezinski is the co-host), his gaze is turned outward while Brzezinskis focuses exclusively on him. Rather than sitting parallel to Scarborough, Brzezinski is placed on a tablethe empty chair underscoring her status as an accessory.
When women accessorize men in this fashion, it diminishes womens credibility while simultaneously bolstering mens heterosexual virility and strength. Its important to note that in addition to playing up the alleged sexual tension between Scarborough and Brzezinski, the Vanity Fair piece announces Scarboroughs potential presidential aspirations. Should he worry that a picture like this one might make him look less presidential? Sadly, no. U.S. presidentiality is so thoroughly masculinized, weve become accustomed to seeing our presidents surrounded by women playing supporting roles, whose presence complements mens performances as Patriarch-in-Chief. Thats one of the reasons women candidates have trouble being perceived as authentically presidential. Conversely, should Brzezinski harbor political or professional aspirations that contradict this narrative, the image would be a significant liability.
Rest at link: Mika Brzezinkski's erotic dance
Really, Mika? This was a good idea... how?
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
143 replies, 53354 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (56)
ReplyReply to this post
143 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Maybe I am old, and I don't see it...but she looks, to me, like she has shit on her lip
MADem
Sep 2012
#135
That "show" is right out of Mad Man. He is Don Draper and she his devoted secretary.
Peregrine Took
Sep 2012
#35
I'm not a big fan of Mika regarding her commentary...but I find her to be incredibly gorgeous!
titaniumsalute
Sep 2012
#27
They aren't even readers or presenters--they usually cut away to someone else who delivers the
MADem
Sep 2012
#127
Barbara Walters used to give us the nightly news, too--but that's not what she does on THE VIEW.
MADem
Sep 2012
#126
Zbiggy's daughter is NOT a journalist. Comparing her to Diane Sawyer is NOT appropriate.
MADem
Sep 2012
#121
Hard to take her seriously, now. This morning she was wearing a porno-type dress....
Obamamite
Sep 2012
#52
I've never taken her seriously. How can you when she does nothing but bat her eyes,
K Gardner
Sep 2012
#62
I keep picturing Andrea Mitchell in that pose--not the same erotic effect--at all!
librechik
Sep 2012
#54
Journalists do not "opine" in the course of delivering the news of the evening (or the morning).
MADem
Sep 2012
#134
How long do you think it took ALL of them to adjust her "dress" so it would cover her panties
cr8tvlde
Sep 2012
#68
Not really as pornographic as Republicans running a guy with hidden Swiss bank accounts
Bucky
Sep 2012
#70
Devastatingly pathetic... The more things change, the more they stay the same....
hlthe2b
Sep 2012
#77
The only people calling her names & diminishing her worth are the ones "outraged" by the picture.
Warren DeMontague
Sep 2012
#81
Certainly. But I think it's reprehensible to call a woman names or diminish her worth
Warren DeMontague
Sep 2012
#90
Isn't there an element of irony in pillorying someone for something on the obstensible grounds
Warren DeMontague
Sep 2012
#114
Ok but phrases like air-head, tart, grotesque, saying that she can't be taken seriously
4th law of robotics
Sep 2012
#108
i would have missed this excellent post if not for an alert on the OP. you are truly awesome. nt
seabeyond
Sep 2012
#130
A woman's professional and mental abilities really ought to be judged by her appearance
4th law of robotics
Sep 2012
#99
That's all she's good for and that's all that conservative men think we women are good for.
Liberal_Stalwart71
Sep 2012
#133
Good thing that in these dire times progressives of all stripes can come together and give some slut
4th law of robotics
Sep 2012
#140