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The Pussy Project(thepussyproject.com)

over 6 years ago from Mark Jenkins, Designer

  • Mattan IngramMattan Ingram, over 6 years ago

    I think this is a great idea in abstract, and I agree with the politics represented, but it really is very one sided.

    The Pussy Project is a photo project by Helena Price exploring women's perspectives on the significance of this election and its ramifications on society.

    Exploring liberal women's perspectives. Yes the majority of women in this country are likely liberal (thankfully), but not all of them are and I'm sure many conservative women would find a website with a description like that quite dismissive of their views.

    Part of the problem we have with politics in America today is this absolute dismissal of the other side as crazy, stupid, unpatriotic, etc. I absolutely don't want to say that all views are equal and worthy of the same time in the spotlight, but some conservative women have things to say that deserve being listened to, even if I (or you) disagree with them for the most part.

    17 points
    • Austin Knight, over 6 years ago (edited over 6 years ago )

      Wow, this is very well said. I couldn't agree more.

      It's odd to talk about diversity and equality, and then proceed to show an utterly homogenous (in this case, liberal) group. Diversity is not "everybody except for those inconvenient people that we disagree with and fail to understand because we automatically dismiss them as bigots with invalid viewpoints".

      8 points
      • Sam SolomonSam Solomon, over 6 years ago

        Ah, the Paradox of Tolerance has been in full force this election cycle. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradox_of_tolerance

        1 point
        • Austin Knight, over 6 years ago

          I get what you're saying, but when intolerance is used as a blanket label to dismiss anyone that you disagree with or that challenges your views, you get a polarized election like this one.

          I sometimes wonder if most liberals' exposure to Trump supporters is literally limited to rage inducing YouTube videos and Twitter trolls. I've made a conscious effort to engage Trump supporters over the past few months and I haven't found any intolerant people. No racists, no bigots*. Just people that have some ideas that are different than mine, but also share some of the same ideas with me. Surprisingly enough, the most common theme has been that they're angry because they feel that they haven't been heard for the past several years.

          Like it or not, these people are going to vote. And you don't bring about true change by silencing your opposition. Perhaps I'm an idealist designer that believes in empathy, but I think that if we're really confident in our views, they should hold up in a free and open marketplace of ideas.

          * I know the racists exist (and in atypically large numbers), but they seem to be overrepresented in media and underrepresented in reality. Just going off my personal experience.

          4 points
    • Stuart McCoyStuart McCoy, over 6 years ago

      It's the web, they're welcome to post their own site with their own views. These stories are the reality facing women in this election. They are blind to pollitical partisanship. If it makes you uncomfortable to face this reality, perhaps the problem lies with you?

      2 points
      • Mattan IngramMattan Ingram, over 6 years ago

        I never said she wasn't welcome to post a site with such views, but perhaps describe it as such instead of describing it broadly as a site of women's views about this election.

        I don't see where you get that I am uncomfortable with these views from my comment, I agree with 99% of them. I simply took issue with how it's presented as "this is what women think" when I know there are a lot of women out there who have different views. They have "pussies" too.

        I don't really see how it is blind to political partisanship when many of the stories specifically mention liberal/conservative upbringing. That and the fact that it is just liberal views means it is exactly not blind to political partisanship.

        If it makes you uncomfortable to face this reality, perhaps the problem lies with you?

        These are the kinds of statements that makes it impossible for people to have healthy political discussion in America today.

        3 points
    • Darby ✌Darby ✌, over 6 years ago

      I want to start off by saying that I agree, I believe that civil discourse is increasingly difficult in the United States. You're right, if everyone was sincerely interested in learning from one another we'd all be much better for it.

      I think you're asking "why aren't there conservative women in this project?" and my response is "what makes you think there aren't?". Most women in the project didn't identify their party affiliation or state if their worldview is conservative or liberal. There are hundreds of reasons for a conservative woman to be pro-Hillary and many are included in the interviews.

      Another possible answer to "why aren't there conservative women in this project" is something that many, many women in the project alluded to: women know if they openly support Hillary they will be harassed or be in physical danger. The secret Hillary club in red states is a real phenomenon. Women in the project say they're afraid to do things like put a Hillary yard sign in their lawn. It's understandable why a woman who is afraid of her aggressively anti-Hillary boyfriend, spouse, or community would not want to participate in a portrait project.

      I think you're coming from a good place. You want bi-partisanship. Rad, so do I. But it feels like you're looking for a way to invalidate a project that is a platform for queer, trans, senior, and ethnically diverse women to share what's on the line for them this election. Women who are not often featured on talk shows or in the press. Who have valid, real, fears about this election. And it's a bummer you're ignoring them.

      0 points
      • Mattan IngramMattan Ingram, over 6 years ago

        You make excellent points, but I guess my point is that there are women who ARE voting for Trump or at least don't want Hillary. I don't agree with them, but this site is not described as a non-partisan site for women supporting Hillary.

        I think the project is great. I in no way want to invalidate the project, I would just prefer it to be more accurately described so that women who don't fit in won't feel dismissed. I am in no way ignoring these people, I am pointing out a (surprisingly large) subset of women who ARE being ignored.

        I'm afraid for the direction our country is going in regards to political conversation and debate, and the way I hear my fellow progressives (sometimes including myself) talk about people who disagree with them is disheartening. I think there is a lot of room for a platform that allows discussions between women who disagree on these issues to talk safely and actually hear each other out. Perhaps that is not this website, but then it should be made clear that this is a site for supporting Hillary regardless of political affiliation.

        0 points