Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Markus Schreiber/AP/Press Association Images

Lisa McInerney Were Femen's breast-baring protests ever truly credible?

Allegations that Femen is run by a bully-boy svengali who hand-picks pretty girls to carry out topless protests underlines how confused this approach to tackling sexism really is, writes Lisa McInerney.

WHENEVER WE SEE models in bikinis smiling through chattering teeth as they hold foodstuffs aloft on Stephen’s Green, we’re reminded that sex sells.

Except it doesn’t. The intent to purchase the advertised product is heightened when sexual images are used in promotional material but, in a cruel twist of fate, brand recall suffers. In fact, a recent survey revealed that less than 10 per cent of men could remember what it was they were supposed to buy after viewing an ad containing sexual imagery. The spirit was willing, but the flesh was really, really distracting.

And so, you might remember Femen from such protests as… well, buggered if I know.

The issue for many with the Ukrainian feminist collective is that their methods quite often overwhelm the issues they wish to publicise. Lots of people can identify the organisation through the images they painstakingly set up and sell to the media: that recent and quite snigger-worthy shot of Vladimir Putin coming over all goo-eyed as a topless young protester leapt out in front of him, for one. But ask your average news junkie what the protester’s chosen cause was and you’ll get a vacant stare for your trouble.

‘Awareness?’ they’ll guess. ‘Some sort of protest against… sexism or… um… Raising awareness?’

Femen, those angry, visually arresting young women whose politics are daubed on their naked flesh, are very good at grabbing attention – their capacity for holding it lags a little.

The man behind the movement

This is why the revelation that the organisation is run by a man is so remarkable. Victor Svyatski, always credited as a “consultant” for the collective, turned out to be its founder and mastermind. Svyatski’s role is revealed by filmmaker Kitty Green in her new documentary ‘Ukraine is not a Brothel’.

She acknowledges Svyatski’s intelligence and success in making the relatively new organisation world-famous, but alleges that he is abusive, that he has little respect for the activists, and that he admits that he may have started the organisation… to meet girls. PUAs take note.

Putting aside the creepiness of Svyatski’s alleged goal of fostering political awareness in docile, attractive exhibitionists, Green’s discovery is so close to the bone as to be virtually satirical. A radical feminist organisation run by a man is hardly worthy of commentary – people who believe in gender equality come in more than one gender, as do those who identify as radical feminists (even the anti-feminists’ favourite bogeywoman, Andrea Dworkin, had John Stoltenberg as her closest ally).

But the idea that the string-puller is a bully-boy svengali who hand-picked the prettiest girls to carry out the topless protests – and then complained that the protesters lacked the qualities needed for political activism – is bubbling over with black comedy. As the saying goes, you couldn’t make it up.

(It’s worth bearing that in mind. Femen are good at publicity stunts. Could this revelation be another?)

Femen are as reviled as they are lauded

And so the issues identified with Femen’s methods are re-examined in this blinding new light, and what was once given the benefit of the doubt has been dismissed as a long ream of transparent and regressive stunts for the benefit of one leering chap with his hands down his pants.

It can’t even be said that Svyatski had us all fooled, for Femen are as reviled as they are lauded. Some commenters have pointed out that their anti-religious protests amount to little more than Islamophobia, or that their version of feminism is too erotic, too homogenous, or too knowingly photogenic to be taken seriously.

Others say that weaponised nudity makes a powerful statement in a world in which a woman’s worth ties into how good she looks naked and how good she is at hiding it. Such is the problem with any social or political movement – nuances drawn and appropriated so that internal definitions take on as much importance as any common goal. Democracy, Christianity, Capitalism… Feminism is no different. What Femen do fades into the background; how they do it becomes the focus of debate.

Now we have ‘why they do it’ as another factor, and re-examined with Svyatski’s involvement accepted as fact, that ‘why’ is twisted into some pretty grotesque shapes. You may think nudity is a powerful tool in feminist protest, but is it still a feminist act if it’s orchestrated by a conceited cynic purely in terms of how aesthetically appealing it is? Can you smash the patriarchy by using the weapons of the patriarchy to appeal to patriarchal norms under the direction of a patriarch? Is the Pope a Buddhist?

This isn’t feminism. It’s the appropriation of feminism.

On a personal level, I can’t see how getting gorgeous young women to strip off in the name of radical feminism raises anything but unsightly bulges in young men’s undergarments, but only because perky bosoms are the least threatening thing since extremist bronies abandoned the patent for a fluffy kitten cannon.

That, and it’s kind of perplexing to fight sexual objectification by demanding conventionally beautiful college students take their tops off, and it’s hard to examine social prejudice when the subjects fit so well into the established, supposedly contemptible, sexist landscape.

That said, if it doesn’t hurt anyone but Wonderbra, it’s got to be worth a shot, and one can’t very well fight for equality by telling your teammates they’re doing it wrong (another thing Femen were criticised for).

It’s interesting how different the same political statement looks through the lens of some unexpected, unfortunate intel. The biggest question about Femen’s methods up to this point was whether the end justified the means, and until Green outed Svyatski, it was debateable. The revelation about Svyatski’s role has opened our eyes almost as wide as Putin’s in that famous image. Having your political protests organised by a man doesn’t make your statement any less feminist – having them organised by an abusive ass does.

This isn’t feminism. It’s the appropriation of feminism, and unlike the selected protesters, it isn’t very pretty.

Incidentally, if you want to see a young feminist in pop culture successfully using nudity as a form of protest, check out Amanda Palmer’s brilliant ‘Dear Daily Mail’, performed earlier this year in the Roundhouse in London as a response to a story the paper ran about one of her breasts popping out at Glasto. Now those are some truly magnificent boobs.

Read more of Lisa McInerney’s columns here >

Have a story to share? Email opinions@thejournal.ie

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
70 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Monkey Boy
    Favourite Monkey Boy
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 1:07 PM

    That picture is cheatn.

    216
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nelly
    Favourite Nelly
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 1:27 PM

    There’s not half enough bare breasted protest I think it should be a weekly thing

    231
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute CD
    Favourite CD
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 1:38 PM

    This article promised so much and not a single breast to be seen….

    273
    See 7 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute stephen
    Favourite stephen
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 2:09 PM

    No CD but there are plenty of tits on the whole site.

    46
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Niall Boylan @ Night
    Favourite Niall Boylan @ Night
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 2:45 PM

    The article is delusions to suggest that “sex” does not sell. Maybe ask a marketing consultant for mens products if he agrees with this ridiculous theory.

    Yes, sex sells. It’s a fact. Popular mens magazines like Maxim and FHM have experimented often with their covers. Overwhelmingly, when a sexy, semi-naked woman appears on the cover, it outperforms an image of a male star, even if that star is someone men want to read about.

    When ads are more sexually provocative, men in particular are irresistibly drawn to them. It’s simple genetics. Men respond to sexual images. And if your ad creates a sexual situation, it will get the desired response.

    To even suggest that the sexy woman or Man for that matter does not encourage a person to buy or look at the product is the dream of the extreme feminists.

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Owen Brady
    Favourite Owen Brady
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 4:05 PM

    This form of protest is best suited to our east European sisters, for obvious reasons

    50
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nelly
    Favourite Nelly
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 4:13 PM

    Cos our east European sisters have the bodies to pull it off.imagine some of our lets say plumper ladies done them here.dont think it would have the same effect

    42
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Carcu Sidub
    Favourite Carcu Sidub
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 4:36 PM

    Niall

    What?

    You lost me at sex. After that the blood rushed from my brain and I had to remain at my desk for fear Mary with the big boobs would make another complaint.

    48
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean Mc Gowan
    Favourite Sean Mc Gowan
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 6:19 PM

    To me its just more material….

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Somers
    Favourite Paul Somers
    Report
    Sep 6th 2013, 3:13 PM

    Daily even better, they could replace the Irish news…both of them

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gerry B
    Favourite Gerry B
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 1:15 PM

    I fully and whole heartedly support femens brave protests against chauvinism in all its forms because, ya know, boobs..

    115
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Carcu Sidub
    Favourite Carcu Sidub
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 1:11 PM

    Breasts.

    The cause of and solution to all of mens problems

    98
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seán O'Sullivan
    Favourite Seán O'Sullivan
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 2:26 PM

    not mine, for I am gay. anyway keep that sayin to Booze for that works for all of us !

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute the lost lenore
    Favourite the lost lenore
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 1:50 PM

    “Unsightly bulges in young men’s underpants” Oh Gordon Bennett, would this author ever give it a rest? I’m sure the male readers of The Journal would be happy to contribute a few euro each on the basis Lisa gets pensioned off. She seems incapable of making any point these days with some moronic utterance along the lines of the above.

    89
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Niall Sullivan
    Favourite Niall Sullivan
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 3:04 PM

    So how are the men referred to in this article – “creepiness of Svyatski’s alleged goal, sn*gger-worthy shot of Vladimir Putin coming over all goo-eyed, bu*ly-boy svengali, unsightly bulg*s in young men’s undergarments, an abusive a*s, one le*ring chap with his hands down his p*nts”

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Niall Sullivan
    Favourite Niall Sullivan
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 3:05 PM

    And the women – ” visually arresting young women, gorgeous young women, conventionally beautiful college students”.

    40
    See 8 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Niall Sullivan
    Favourite Niall Sullivan
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 3:06 PM

    This author has some major issues of her own Lenore. She’s part of the problem rather than solution, but she doesn’t see it. Irony lost.

    52
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute the lost lenore
    Favourite the lost lenore
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 3:22 PM

    Of course The Journal could be doing it as a pisstake. Like, let’s keep publishing articles that read like a cross between Kevin Myers minus the vocabulary and Millie Tant from “Viz” and see how long the readers keep interested.

    29
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Niall Sullivan
    Favourite Niall Sullivan
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 4:49 PM

    If Svyatski did announce himself as founder and leader and they were unhappy about it, did they not consider baring their breasts and telling him to f*ck off?

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute YOjwLMwW
    Favourite YOjwLMwW
    Report
    Sep 6th 2013, 12:28 AM

    Shame Feminists like her seem so dismissive and hostile towards heterosexual male sexuality.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Niall Sullivan
    Favourite Niall Sullivan
    Report
    Sep 6th 2013, 12:50 AM

    Who is Lisa that you think is “appropriating feminism?” – answers on a postcard please folks…..

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Niall Sullivan
    Favourite Niall Sullivan
    Report
    Sep 6th 2013, 12:58 AM

    You Lisa are appropriating feminism for your own ends.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peace for All
    Favourite Peace for All
    Report
    Sep 6th 2013, 4:15 AM

    “Lisa, as a stay at home father I’m a feminists wet dream in this country. ”

    Hi Niall, I commend you for your role as a stay at home father, much like I would praise the hard working mother’s in the world. However (and this is only a hypothetical seeing as the topic is feminism = equality, so don’t take this personally) , but can I ask have you considered what structures are in place in the event of (god forbid) a family breakdown scenario for a stay at home father?

    This is one of my primary bug bears about feminism,womens rights and gender equality narrative, but if custody is naturally awarded to a mother on the basis of her gender/sex and yet a stay at home father is taking on the traditional role that a stay at home mother has done in the past, if the mother is the primary income source (provider role) , in the event of a divorce as it stands, family law will seek maintenance payments from the stay at home father(perhaps no job outside the home ), award custody to the mother (natural rights etc).
    Basically this scenario which is a life choice (circumstantial or not), but pushed as an option for men in the new enlightened world of feminist equality , where is the accompanying stay at home fathers rights to be maintained by the sole provider and natural custody rights ?

    This is why feminism fails, it talks of equality but it doesn’t like it, because it never raises these issues to any depth, do you know why? Because Men!

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Niall Sullivan
    Favourite Niall Sullivan
    Report
    Sep 6th 2013, 4:38 AM

    “but can I ask have you considered what structures are in place in the event of (god forbid) a family breakdown scenario for a stay at home father?”

    Many many times. I still do daily.

    “if the mother is the primary income source (provider role) , in the event of a divorce as it stands, family law will seek maintenance payments from the stay at home father(perhaps no job outside the home ), award custody to the mother (natural rights etc).

    Well, oddly, though I’m stay at home essentially, I would still on an average week earn more than my partner as my line of work tends to have very short hours but a high financial return. But hers is more regular and stable.

    A big part of the equation is whether you’re married or not. If you’re not you’re in serious trouble from the outset. Another big part of the equation {and traditional roles in themselves favour the mother in this regard} is who spends more time with the child and the quality of time and relationship, wider family {are grandparents and extended family nearby, does the child have a connection to them, do you take the child to the GP, do you have a relationship with the school, can you support the child financially, physical, emotional wellbeing and so on – it’s extensive.

    But simply by being male you’re on the back foot. You are considered {if unmarried, a mere sperm donor at best} and if married an inferior parent automatically. Of that, there can be no doubt.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bob MacBob
    Favourite Bob MacBob
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 1:36 PM

    Lisa, I nearly always enjoy your articles but they nearly all could be done with half the words.

    82
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Milly
    Favourite Milly
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 4:35 PM

    And more pics

    39
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Micheal Treanor
    Favourite Micheal Treanor
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 1:10 PM

    Yes, breast-baring protests are truly credible, i would encourage more of them ;-)

    76
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute dave
    Favourite dave
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 1:13 PM

    If you’ve got it,flaunt it.
    If you don’t ,then don’t.
    There’s nothing wrong with boobies.

    61
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute AnnMo
    Favourite AnnMo
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 1:54 PM

    Herein lies the problem. You’re only “allowed” protest topless if you’ve got a perfect figure, which 99% of the women they claim to represent don’t. Of course there’s nothing wrong with boobs, but it’s a cheap tactic and does nothing for the causes they claim to represent. How many people who have seen these pictures actually know or care what they’re protesting? It’s completely ineffective

    54
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute dave
    Favourite dave
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 2:17 PM

    99% is stretching it a bit.

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute AnnMo
    Favourite AnnMo
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 1:50 PM

    I’ll take their topless protests seriously when they use women who don’t look like supermodels. Now that would be something far more groundbreaking

    60
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael
    Favourite Michael
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 1:16 PM

    I hang out with my wang out in protest all the time.

    No double standards here!

    58
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute robby rottenest
    Favourite robby rottenest
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 1:12 PM

    Lets keep abreast of developments. Appears to be cheap titillation. I hope I’ve made no typos or boobs in this post.

    45
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Saoirse go Deo
    Favourite Saoirse go Deo
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 2:10 PM

    I’ll have you know that my bulge is far from unsightly!

    43
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute J Ní Shuilleabháin
    Favourite J Ní Shuilleabháin
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 1:45 PM

    “This isn’t feminism. It’s the appropriation of feminism.”

    this is what I thought when I first read reports about them. there was something just not right and too set up for the male gaze.

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nick Hill
    Favourite Nick Hill
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 1:30 PM

    Do it while they can I suppose, before they get old and their appeal begins to sag.

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dermot Ryan
    Favourite Dermot Ryan
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 2:18 PM

    Feminism is about equality , if a man can walk around topless then why not a woman ?
    I don’t do it myself but equality is equality after all !

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jean Martin
    Favourite Jean Martin
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 2:17 PM

    No surprise here at the comments…..is it any wonder that men aren’t taken seriously. Move over boys and let the women show you how to do it right…..

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Niamh Margaret
    Favourite Niamh Margaret
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 3:22 PM

    The vast majority of these comments so far make men look like morons. Any intelligent guys out there with something of note to say that isn’t an attempt at a witty remark about boobs?

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gerry B
    Favourite Gerry B
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 5:06 PM

    I know ya. They’re making tits of themselves…

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Martin O Leary
    Favourite Martin O Leary
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 2:09 PM

    Is there anything to be said for another mass?

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute FDL_
    Favourite FDL_
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 2:17 PM

    Sex sells? If i worked in..lets say vodafoe and if one day I pull my knob out while assisting customers, would that be a better day of sales for me?

    Sex sells sure…sounds like a sexist article hehe

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jean Martin
    Favourite Jean Martin
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 2:26 PM

    No one really notices the small things in life…..

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute FDL_
    Favourite FDL_
    Report
    Sep 7th 2013, 2:46 AM

    True

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Niall Sullivan
    Favourite Niall Sullivan
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 2:47 PM

    “In fact, a recent survey revealed that less than 10 per cent of men could remember what it was they were supposed to buy after viewing an ad containing sexual imagery. ” BTW Lisa, you left out the bit that said it affected women too. No need to be so selective – or is there?

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute JCcVprP4
    Favourite JCcVprP4
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 1:42 PM
    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Somers
    Favourite Paul Somers
    Report
    Sep 6th 2013, 3:46 PM

    Highly creative and well presented. Certainly gets the point across.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peace for All
    Favourite Peace for All
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 7:44 PM

    Last line of the article says :”Incidentally, if you want to see a young feminist in pop culture successfully using nudity as a form of protest, check out Amanda Palmer’s brilliant ‘Dear Daily Mail’, performed earlier this year in the Roundhouse in London as a response to a story the paper ran about one of her breasts popping out at Glasto. Now those are some truly magnificent boobs.”

    Is your issue that sex sells? i.e the feminist message can be sold to people via nudity or extremist behaviour?
    What’s this articles point if the last line intimates that the only thing relevant in Amanda Palmers stunt is that she has truly magnificient boobs?
    This sounds like a “distancing” piece from the Femen nonsense, the only reason for this is that somehow there is a man /male behind the scenes.

    Yet again feminism proves itself a divisive and inconsistent idealogy, more concerned and obsessed with vaginas and boobs and attention seeking and being disruptive (with no real message) than with the real issues of equality and the acceptance that there are gender roles in society for all genders.

    The empty narrative of feminism is getting boring for women like myself who look on in wonder at the tactics and claims that feminism makes and then try to apply them in the real world only to find they are ridiculous and childish. Feminism makes victims out of women, weakens and undermines personal effort of women to make their way in the world.
    Strong women don’t need feminism, neither do weak women. It’s a brand for fools.

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Niall Sullivan
    Favourite Niall Sullivan
    Report
    Sep 6th 2013, 1:58 AM

    “This sounds like a “distancing” piece from the Femen nonsense, the only reason for this is that somehow there is a man /male behind the scenes”

    “Feminism makes victims out of women, weakens and undermines personal effort of women to make their way in the world”

    “Strong women don’t need feminism, neither do weak women. It’s a brand for fools”

    Agreed fully. But look at the hits she got so far……it sells too. Hence her article.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Niall Sullivan
    Favourite Niall Sullivan
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 2:01 PM

    Been trying to post a response to you Last 10 minutes Lenore but it’s not surfacing. But yes, I’d throw in a few quid too.

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gus Whearity
    Favourite Gus Whearity
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 2:01 PM

    About time….. Pants down

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Crashlin
    Favourite Crashlin
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 2:55 PM

    “Islamophobia”? How is it possible to fear a religion who’s Quran suggests that non-Muslims should be killed? A book that also has 109 verses of hate and vitriol towards “infidels” /non-Muslims.
    Lisa are you saying topless women protests have to be ugly to be taken seriously? Surely the point of protesting topless was to get people’s attention and that’s exactly what they’ve achieved.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Carcu Sidub
    Favourite Carcu Sidub
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 3:20 PM

    They made a point alright!!!

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Zoe Daly
    Favourite Zoe Daly
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 7:05 PM

    Todays UK Telegraph highlighted the horrific reality of Gendericide happening in the UK.
    the lives of unborn babies are terminated simply because they are FEMALE.
    this is illegal in the UK, but the doctors involved may escape prosecution.
    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/10287574/Gender-abortions-criminal-charges-not-in-public-interest-says-CPS.html

    Why are Femen not out protesting about this?
    Total double standards.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Murphy
    Favourite Brian Murphy
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 2:54 PM

    Show more boobies , show more boobies. What’s this article about ?

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Damien Cassells
    Favourite Damien Cassells
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 5:30 PM

    If this article had been written by a man, it would be more credable and possibly even worth reading, who cares about women flashing there tits if your not going to be the one taking her home at the end of the day ( pun intended).

    But in all fairness its the feminists who are the worlds laughing stock not the men who think with there dicks.

    I couldn’t really care about this pointless trivial argument, as its just zealous feminists v dum dickless men

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Steve Hardy
    Favourite Steve Hardy
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 1:40 PM

    I’m not Spartacus

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael cunnane
    Favourite Michael cunnane
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 2:33 PM

    Just gonna go tits up!

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kerry Templar
    Favourite Kerry Templar
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 3:23 PM

    Lisa, where’s the other half of the picture? It’s ok to show it, we live in the western world after all, not in Middle East.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rúairí O’ Sullivan
    Favourite Rúairí O’ Sullivan
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 6:50 PM

    Interesting that there all quite atracive! Also very very un-femenist!

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute AnnMo
    Favourite AnnMo
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 10:42 PM

    Yeah because all feminists all ugly. (You’re an idiot)

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Larry T Bird
    Favourite Larry T Bird
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 11:06 PM

    Ehhh, most are.
    The rest are just getting on with being women, while the 3 ugly sisters fight the great fight ✋

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Criminal
    Favourite Criminal
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 2:48 PM

    I open the link jus to read news not a pic.

    Ahh who am I kiddin with

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute DaVe O'm
    Favourite DaVe O'm
    Report
    Sep 6th 2013, 11:07 AM

    It’s time for a naked equality parade; naked feminists, homosexuals, Catholics, protestants, Muslims, Jews, heterosexuals, Africans, Asians, Europeans, Socialists, communists, capitalists, Bankers, politicians, homeless, Syrian leaders, ………
    We could all write on a sign what we are (Catholic, Communist…) then burn the signs and party the night away.

    Kinda like a naked paddys day / halloween for adults.

    Of course according to the article nobody would be allowed organise it because the message is irrelevant.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Adrian Nolan
    Favourite Adrian Nolan
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 3:55 PM

    Those women weren’t in the nip!……enough for my liking anyway.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute dave
    Favourite dave
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 2:25 PM

    Thanks.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Zia Bastion
    Favourite Zia Bastion
    Report
    Sep 8th 2013, 8:40 PM

    Argh to these comments. Just argh. Point? You want to know the point? Men will NEVER know what it’s like to be seen as and treated like an object. You will NEVER be made to feel inferior because of your gender. Sure there are the issues of paternal rights and all that but that’s a different debate (and I’m not dismissing it, it’s just not the point I want to make or of this article). After years of women fighting for equality to men, women are still looked down on in society. If a women makes a mistake, chances are a man will think that it’s because she’s just a stupid girl.

    The men in this article are perceived in a sleazy way cos they more than likely are sleazy men. The women in this article are described as beautiful/gorgeous cos they are. I think we’re intelligent enough beings to know that the author isn’t trying to make us hate men while thinking women are perfect. We already know better than that.

    By constantly using sex in marketing and in this way to grab attention, we’re giving society a reason to stick with the excuse of “oh he’s a man, he can’t help it”. And it’s getting worse. Yes sex sells and in turn seeing it everywhere in advertising gives men more reason to objectify women. I think we’ve evolved enough from our primitive instincts that we don’t need to keep looking back and thinking “we can’t help it!!”.

    Amanda Palmer: a brilliant, intelligent, talented, inspiring lady. She uses nudity to say “it’s a naked body, it’s no big deal”. Whereas in the majority of this sex marketed planet , we see nudity and think “omg booooobs!! omg!!! scandal!!!!”

    Sooo back to the point… feminism Femen-style isn’t meaningful or inspiring. It was questionable before but now that it’s known that the founder/mastermind is an apparently not-very-nice man, it highlights the continuing exploitation of women by men to sell a brand. I don’t know…it may be just me but I think that’s something to stand up against.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Buckley
    Favourite John Buckley
    Report
    Sep 5th 2013, 3:29 PM

    Yeah the Germans had something similar over a decade ago! Everyone (except me) could remember the name of the cow but not the product she was advertising. And the cow wasn’t even naked!

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
      Next upNext up:
      News in 60 seconds