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For anyone questioning if "Male Privilege" is worth it, this one is for you.

Started by Evelyn K, June 04, 2014, 05:02:52 AM

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Evelyn K

I think after browsing this tumblr, you'll know what I mean. The images are so powerful, that even I, as a M2F (thankfully very very early in transition) had to hit the emergency brakes and rethink what "it's all about".

http://johnny-escobar.tumblr.com/archive

Especially check out the stuff from March 2013 onwards.

Oh yeah, some no-nudes, don't worry about that. It's images of dream cars, luxury apartments, money and power, no-nude girls.

Cheers,

Evelyn K


FYI I also posted the same link in the M2F forum.

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,166362.0.html
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Ms Grace

You may like to add that some of the images at the link are potentially NSFW... :)
Grace
----------------------------------------------
Transition 1.0 (Julie): HRT 1989-91
Self-denial: 1991-2013
Transition 2.0 (Grace): HRT June 24 2013
Full-time: March 24, 2014 :D
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Ayden

I'm not sure what you are going for by posting this. It's pictures of things that some people like, male or female. Imagery and photography like that doesn't appeal to everyone.
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Evelyn K

Money and Power doesn't sing to you as a male? You don't feel the male privilege and androcentric undercurrent of the photo's depicted?
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FTMDiaries

I'll be honest: I don't get it. What am I missing?

I see a bunch of pics of expensive cars (which anyone with enough money could buy, not just guys) and a bunch of pics of women in their undies (not my cup of tea) and some pics of some posh-looking buildings. Oh, and some Apple hardware (which anyone with enough cash can buy too).

There is nothing in that list that I couldn't have had (apart from the women - but I did have more hot guys to choose from) back when I used to present as female, if only I'd had the cash. So I don't see it as male privilege; rather, I see it more as status or wealth privilege.

What I did notice, however, was that these are all photos of things this particular person has objectified. To him, a fast car or a snazzy apartment or the latest iPhone is exactly the same as a half-naked woman posing provocatively in her underwear: a pretty accessory he wishes he had in is life, and he's posting pics of these things to show the lifestyle to which he aspires. I don't see this as 'male privilege' per se... I see it as being vacuous and shallow. I also see it as being misogynistic, because the women in these pics seem to be nothing more than objects - proven by the fact that many of the pics show the women's bodies, but not their faces.

To me, this is just a yuppie posting a bunch of pics of things he'd love to have.





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Evelyn K

I think most guys can relate to wanting and lusting the same things that this "Johnny Escobar" person has objectified.

Or maybe it's a cis guy thing?
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kelly_aus

Quote from: Evelyn K on June 04, 2014, 06:45:45 AM
I think most guys can relate to wanting and lusting the same things that this "Johnny Escobar" person has objectified.

Or maybe it's a cis guy thing?

Or maybe this Escobar characted is a horrible steroetype?
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Evelyn K

A cis man wanting to become wealthy and powerful is a stereotype?  ???
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FilaFord

Nope. I'd trade all of that for some inner peace knowing that I don't have to lie to myself or society any longer.

I like my Focus just fine and I'm hopeful there will be a woman out there for me somewhere down the line. :)

Edit: a pet tiger would be pretty righteous though
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wheat thins are delicious

Quote from: kelly_aus on June 04, 2014, 06:48:40 AM
Or maybe this Escobar character is a horrible steroetype?

Yep.  Cause you just know ALL men are supposed to want hot women and fast cars. 


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FTMDiaries

It's interesting that the comments in the MtF forum thread are along similar lines to the ones in this thread.

Women can be very wealthy too. For example: Tamara Ecclestone is actually a great deal wealthier than this guy will ever be. Granted, she's inherited most of her cash from Daddy... but does she have male privilege because she has all the cars, houses and (if she chooses) hot guys she could ever want? Or is she privileged because she's wealthy?

Quote from: Evelyn K on June 04, 2014, 06:45:45 AM
I think most guys can relate to wanting and lusting the same things that this "Johnny Escobar" person has objectified.

Erm, nope. Only the shallow ones. Also, there are plenty of guys who aren't into women. And not everyone likes cars, or aspires to be wealthy. Or is an Apple fan. Etc.

Quote from: kelly_aus on June 04, 2014, 06:48:40 AM
Or maybe this Escobar characted is a horrible steroetype?

^This x 1000.

Quote from: Evelyn K on June 04, 2014, 06:52:36 AM
A cis man wanting to become wealthy and powerful is a stereotype?  ???

Absolutely.





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Hikari

Quote from: Evelyn K on June 04, 2014, 06:52:36 AM
A cis man wanting to become wealthy and powerful is a stereotype?  ???

To be fair among my cismale friends only one of them would rather have money and power than go out LARPing. They could put on a suit go out try and make lots of money impress people etc, but they seem to desire to just be geeky and nerdy.

Money and power hold allure to many of both genders more men than women sure but it is hardly some universal truth that people want that life.
15 years on Susans, where has all the time gone?
  • skype:hikari?call
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Mr.X

Now I understand why this went right over my head. As a gay male, the women had no appeal to me.
And the cars, well...Even if I had the money I wouldn't be spending it on fast cars that are too expensive to use in daily life. Such a waste.
I guess I'm not adhering to the stereotype that is being displayed. In fact, that's just what it is. A silly stereotype.
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Evelyn K

Quote from: FTMDiaries on June 04, 2014, 07:05:05 AM
It's interesting that the comments in the MtF forum thread are along similar lines to the ones in this thread.

I don't know I see two angles to this - a M2F wants to do away with all things male assigned. Why would they give credence to something that's a nemesis to their transitioned identity?

And F2M - well this isn't my camp. But I'm thinking it's a hardwired related kind of thing.

I don't know how to say it more euphemistically. But this is all interesting conversation because it demonstrates some contradictions in mindset with the genders identified.
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Ryan55

if it helps, I def want hot women, fast cars, sweet apartments, nice watches, big city living, nice suits, yeah its appealing that's for sure, will put it in dream zone lol


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Evelyn K

Quote from: Mr.X on June 04, 2014, 07:17:05 AM
Now I understand why this went right over my head. As a gay male, the women had no appeal to me.
And the cars, well...Even if I had the money I wouldn't be spending it on fast cars that are too expensive to use in daily life. Such a waste.
I guess I'm not adhering to the stereotype that is being displayed. In fact, that's just what it is. A silly stereotype.

If you had money, you wouldn't be spending it on fast cars that are too expensive? If it's too expensive, then you don't really 'have' money.  ;D

Having money to burn changes you.

(well most humans)
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Mr.X

With too expensive to use I meant you can't even pass speed bumps because of how low the cars are, or park them outside because they'll get stolen.

If I had money, I would not be spending it on cars. I have other priorities. And so have a lot of other men.
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dalebert

I've always felt like cars are an incredible waste of money. I can always think of things I'd rather spend money on than cars. And fast cars scare me. If I want the thrill of speed, I'd rather get it on a roller coaster or something that's much safer. I value my life. Having a nice car (not necessarily fast) is also a huge source of stress. Everywhere you go, you worry about it getting scratched. I had a somewhat nice car for a couple years and it feels like an anchor. Ever since I decided to only buy used cars and not worry one bit how they look, I've felt incredibly free. It's been awesome. If I had money to burn, I'd do a lot of traveling but I'm not likely to ever have a lot of money to burn because I value my free time more than what I would have to give up to have more money. But then, I'm a gay man and I'm not trying to attract women, and guys who are trying to attract women feel like those things are what's necessary to do it, but of course those things only attract shallow women, but maybe those types of guys are okay with that. I'm not even trying that hard to attract guys to be honest.

I think it's a bit of a reach to act like money and status symbols are tied to gender. Doesn't it seem sexist to assign it like that? I just think there's a tendency to have different preferences of status symbols. For shallow guys, it might be sports cars. For shallow women, it might be diamond jewelry and a Gucci purse. In both cases, it's their belief of what will attract shallow members of the opposite sex.

I'm cis, fwiw.

Ayden


Quote from: Evelyn K on June 04, 2014, 06:33:24 AM
Money and Power doesn't sing to you as a male? You don't feel the male privilege and androcentric undercurrent of the photo's depicted?

No. Not at all. Those pictures do nothing for me. I see wasted money and women in underwear which is meh. My mother collected playboys when I was kid. I'm gay so I never got it. I'm sure those pictures depict a reality of male privilege. Privilege exists in every group. But that reality isn't one I care for. It's like "men's rights" groups. I may be male but I could not care less about that hogwash.

Money wise, I have more than enough. I live very comfortably, I have everything I want. I can go out whenever I feel like, I can buy whatever I want. Money is not something I worry about and I can't spend enough between pay days to make a dent in my savings. What would I do with more?

I don't get why it's so hard to believe that guys can just be people. Not all women are insanely girly and shop constantly. These stereotypes exist for a reason, but they don't apply to everyone. A lot of the time it applies to a vocal minority. My husband is a "Cis" male and he looked at the pictures and asked me why I was showing him random pictures. Right over his head too.

You want to appeal to my sense of "male privilege" show me a picture of a stable life, a happy and content family and a couple of pets. Show me the dream cabin my husband and I have pieced together from random pictures. Show me job satisfaction (regardless of income) and the happiness that comes from helping others and a job well done.

Cars and money? They don't buy you a loving relationship, self fulfillment, self enrichment. Money buys you things and really, how much does one person need? Women, or in my case men? Why? I have a wonderful partner. Why do I need more than that?
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