Through a quasi-pop-culture-ethnographic study, Levy provides no direct solutions to the raunch culture we've become so accustomed to, but she makes some damn good points about how stupidly far we have yet to go in feminist thought. (And in many ways, how we have regressed.)
"We have to ask ourselves why we are so focused on silent girly-girls in G-strings faking lust. This is not a sign of progress, it’s a testament to what’s still missing from our understanding of human sexuality with all of its complexity and power. We are still so uneasy with the vicissitudes of sex we need to surround ourselves with caricatures of female hotness to safely conjure up the concept “sexy.” When you think about it, it’s kind of pathetic. Sex is one of the most interesting things we as humans have to play with, and we’ve reduced it to polyester underpants and implants. We are selling ourselves unbelievably short.”
I’m not sure what to think because I too have come to represent and live raunch culture. That’s saying a lot since I am typically very aware of what I fall prey to within standardized culture. Regardless of whether you choose to participate directly in supporting Brittney spears, Pamela Anderson, Paris Hilton, the porn industry, Hugh Hefner, the morphing of homosexuality (and near abuse of terminology in the world of LGBT), there are many things that have mainstreamed. Fashion has led us to a natural raunch (knee-high boots, corsets, stilettos, low cut dresses, slinky clothing…) I’ve been taught to “appreciate” the female body. Is that unhealthy? Where is the line drawn between an understanding of sensuality and even sexuality (in a more raw, passionate means) and raunch? It seems to be a very fine distinction and I’m not sure I know where it lies yet. I’m certainly still very unclear on what I think, but Levy’s point is well made and if nothing else, will make you more aware of the raunch that surrounds us.
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