I'm not laughing at Daniel Strauss' series of photos mimicking Kyra Gracie's recently leaked sexy photo shoot. But it seems I might be the only one. Everyone else is getting a real kick out of how ridiculous it looks for a tough jiu-jitsu guy in a gi top to strike a sexy pants-less pose.
All I see, though, is a perfect illustration of the ridiculous double standard in jiu-jitsu (and the sports community at large) that in order to be popular, female athletes must be sexy AND talented.
Gender role reversals like this one can be a great tool to evaluate sexism. When we view someone behaving like the opposite sex, the absurdity of the behavior becomes clear. Daniel Strauss' pants-less pose (and others in the series) make us laugh because it seems ridiculous to see men as the objects of a sexualized gaze. Male athletes may be good looking, but they are touted for their skill, not the shape of their ass. Behind all the chatter and hoopla surrounding this parody is a spot-on social commentary. It's silly to see men be degraded and objectified because we're not used to it. Seeing the roles reversed is eye opening and revelatory - objectifying PEOPLE is degrading. Period.
Watch an excellent example of gender role reversal: All female group parodies Blurred Lines.
All I see, though, is a perfect illustration of the ridiculous double standard in jiu-jitsu (and the sports community at large) that in order to be popular, female athletes must be sexy AND talented.
Gender role reversals like this one can be a great tool to evaluate sexism. When we view someone behaving like the opposite sex, the absurdity of the behavior becomes clear. Daniel Strauss' pants-less pose (and others in the series) make us laugh because it seems ridiculous to see men as the objects of a sexualized gaze. Male athletes may be good looking, but they are touted for their skill, not the shape of their ass. Behind all the chatter and hoopla surrounding this parody is a spot-on social commentary. It's silly to see men be degraded and objectified because we're not used to it. Seeing the roles reversed is eye opening and revelatory - objectifying PEOPLE is degrading. Period.
Watch an excellent example of gender role reversal: All female group parodies Blurred Lines.