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Just commiserating…
I was just on facebook and a woman that would probably describe herself as ‘radical’ (politically…she expresses extreme pro-feminism, anti-racism, skepticism of capitalism etc) anyhow, she just posted this:
“Teddy is growing up & it’s time for him to start exploring new hobbies and interests outside our home. Good thing I stumbled upon this mommy & me stripperobics class. What could be more fitting?”
She posted this in jest along with a link to the pole studio. I clicked the link and it basically talked about the typical “kids love climbing spinning etc”. Along with 30 something ‘likes’ the comments were mostly:
“besides, they’re never too young to start learning how to earn their keep!”
“vocational training is so important these days”
“Best. Post. Ever. I needed that.”
I was really pissed off that this woman who seems so open-minded is reinforcing the same old clichés & stigmas. Anyhow I thought about it for a little while and posted this:
“This made me cringe. Ive been doing pole for over a year now & its hard as hell & really challenging. Its got a lot in common with aeriel, lyra etc. Its only connected stripping if u play rhianna & take your clothes off. Its FINE for kids! When i get my shit together im gonna put a giant pole up in my living room- yall are welcome to come with kids and play. And i wont charge. Lol.”followed up with a bunch of video link examples of the diversity of pole. (Men pole dancing in Russia, china, india…crystal belcher’s 2013 performance..etc) There haven’t been any responses yet, but I feel better for at least saying something.
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2 Replies
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Some people can appear very open-minded, and push a lot of great boundaries in our society, but often many of those people will have “blind spots,” such as their children, where suddenly they start to make jokes and slip into that unfortunate stigma that society perpetuates. If she is politically active, that can also have a lot of pressure on her to “fit in,” as do many other social groups.
You may get some very nasty comments and messages because of your comment to it, but… keep your eyes on how it made YOU feel, because in the end, it was for you that you made the comment. -
I’m glad you said something. All kinds of people I meet are interested in pole when I talk about it but my family ignores it. They don’t say anything negative–they just don’t say anything. It’s weird.
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