Andrew O’Keefe
In the 2 Aug edition of the Herald Sun there is a “day in the life of” type column with Andrew O’Keefe, Weekend Sunrise’s Deal or No Deal host (I gather – I don’t watch Sunrise). The picture for the column is of, I presume, Andrew O’Keefe with a money bag (it’s got a couple large sums printed on it) about to run through the bare legs of a mini-skirted women in stilettos. The perspective of the picture is such that the legs appear close up and the man in the distance.
Not only does this picture seem entirely irrelevant to the words of the column, but the column mentions his White Ribbon Day activities – he is the Chairman this year – which is a campaign that encourages men to take a lead in ending violence against women. So, you got this, right? A person who is an ambassador for anti-violence against women activities is represented by a completely gratuitous photo of him in between a woman’s high-heeled legs. Makes sense ,yeah?
I’ve been stewing over the picture for two days, so I will now write to UNIFEM, the UN org that runs the campagin and cc my letter to the Herald Sun and Andre O’Keefe himself.
The idea that (seemingly) no one notices this stuff anymore (except me) or that they find it totally normal and acceptable really bothers me. I know, you’ve heard this from me before, so I’ll shut up.
The night before I saw this news clip I had been laying in bed pondering how I’d buy myself one of those sun-safe beach tops with sleeves and neck. Not because I need sun protection but because I don’t want to continue to be part of this trend to sexualise women in all circumstances. I, at least, can wander around the beach without any of my attractive bits hanging out for anyone to see. I can make the statement that some women can be in public without showing themselves off. And yes, I know heaps of women wear bikinis and bathing suits just because that’s a normal thing to wear to the beach. But for the moment, I think its time that women started making a statement about how their physical attractiveness and sexuality is not for public display, use or amusement. I will be much more aware of how my clothes show off my body and attempt to ensure I’m not emphasising my curves, cleavage or anything else. Except, of course, when I wear my t-shirt that says “this is what a feminist looks like” scrawled across my boobs…
