Reply #105: this brings me to the question that I go back to again and again

[FizzFuzz]

How come almost EVERYONE here can see it perfectly clearly if its a boorish show of racism? Or homophobia? Or disability-ism? Regardless of the race, sexual orientation, or physical health of the participants?

(rant about looksism here. Germaine to sexism, because I see looksism as a strong amplifying factor in sexism.---> ) Looksism rarely gets seen for what it is. So sad, to me, to see the "judge who's pretty" threads, and the response of folks who know they won't "measure up". I always notice the very strained replies of those few people who try to show compassion by assuring the "ugly ducklings" that they're beautiful on the inside. True, but the very nature of those threads depends on the disqualification of the unattractive in the first place.

Part of the problem is the turn-on factor. If it gives a guy a stiffy, or if it makes a woman feel powerful by garnering male attention, there henceforth and forever more shall be no criticism, because criticism could lead to restrictions on the free play of libido. If you know what I mean.

That's only one piece of the situation, though, I realize. Still, I don't think the titillation factor should be ignored when considering why sexism is particularly difficult to challenge.