Jezebel is officially run by fucking morons
Currently, I'm sitting smugly in my office and pumping my fist in the air because FINALLY it would appear that the world and the rest of the *feminist* blogosphere are finally waking up to the fact that Jezebel is run by a bunch of fucking morons.
I've disliked them for a long time for various reasons:
They repeatedly stole content I wrote on Dollymix and NEVER linked back to me. They ignored the friendly emails I'd sent them. They glorify drug use. They exude this overly snarky, exclusive Gawker-ish attitude and stick their nose up at smaller blogs.
Yet for some reason tons of women like them, and even media outlets like Fox News act as if they are the first group of women to ever blog about women's issues. My god, those Jezebels are different! They're apparently anti-"body snarking" (like hell they are) and delete mean comments! (Or, comments that criticize them.)
I've always had a problem with them, I've always stood by the fact that
they're not as revolutionary as everyone would like you to think they
are. I've always felt as if they don't actually give a shit about
women's issues, and LO AND BEHOLD IT WOULD SEEM THAT I AM RIGHT.
The blogosphere is on fire with comments and complaints and anger from Jezebel readers and
other feminist bloggers...and, you know, women who don't believe rape
is a joke, and don't give interviews on serious issues drunk off their
ass. (And say things like if you get raped then you just "live through
it" or "I guess I regret being date raped".)
Tracie Egan and Moe Tkcaik went on Lizzie Winstead's show Thinking And Drinking to discuss "sexuality, feminism, freedom, power and responsibility". According to Lizzie, both women were both given information about the nature of the show and what they would be talking about, and Lizzie explained that:
"Tracie assured us she would be cool with anything we talked about in the feminist, political arena, that she was an expert on China, and that they had been talking a lot about rape lately."
Sounds great, right?
Watch the clips above (if you can stomach it) and I'll give you £20 if your head doesn't explode.
A great moment for me was when Tracie explained that women shouldn't just get abortions instead of using birth control because it's "too much of a pain". I also enjoyed when Moe explained that she didn't turn in the guy who date raped her and "go through fucking shit" because it was "a load of trouble" and because she "had better things to do, like drinking more".
Tracie "Slut Machine" Egan (who I have talked massive shit about before, then felt bad, and apologized to her in an email and a column which she never responded to and now greatly regret ever doing so) said that she "hates talking about rape" and that she knows it happens to "smart girls" but that, personally, she's never been "put in that situation" and she's had "lots and lots and lots of sex". (Also, she "doesn't hang out with frat guys".)
She thinks this is down to like, you know, like maybe "education" and because she's just "smart about it". Then, Tracie retracts these statements and defends herself by saying that
"i really, really, really didn't want to talk about rape, and i said so on stage. i also admitted that i can't relate to the whole issue because i've never been raped, and couldn't begin to understand what that's like... i was trying to keep my mouth shut during that whole discussion. (at one point, i even put my head in my hands.)"
Hmmmm....so, who is it that needs some education on rape again? It is
ye old Slut Machine who says stupid, horrendous shit about rape because
she "can't relate to it" - or is it the women who have been raped?
WHAT. THE FUCKKKKKK!?!?!?!?!?!
Also, if you were wondering who the rapists of our generation are like, Moe and Tracie, like, totally know and shit:
Tracie: "I live in Williamsburg, there aren't very assertive men there"
Moe: "The thing about the rapists of our generation, is that they all use drugs, they all have some sort of drug they use on you, so it's good to feel, and I don't know if this has happed to me or if I just drink too much...
Moe: "It's really hard to prosecute them (rapists), so you should try to avoid them at all costs."
Tracie: "I once paid someone to rape me once."
Tracie: "Well, I didn't pay for it, I had a magazine pay for it
Tracie: "I moved here when I was 18 and you think you would encounter more rapists in a big city like this, but, I don't know, I just haven't."
Personally, if it were up to me, and they were my writers, I would have
them fucking fired. But, I suppose Nick Denton is too high and mighty
to do that. (Wonder how long it will take for his Google Alert to pick
up on what I said and for how long it will take for him to leave me
another comment about how Gawker is so IRONIC and FUNNY and how they
were JUST KIDDING AND BEING IRONICAL.)
They're the two most popular editors of a WOMEN'S ISSUES blog that has loads of traffic and that tons of women (blindly...maybe stupidly) trust, and here they are, wasted, and talking flippantly about date rape and how rape is basically a woman's fault.
Fuck you, Jezebel and an even bigger fuck you to Gawker Media.
I'm not saying that they should only employ people who report rape or who are "perfect feminists", but Jesus-Fucking-Christ. Wake the fuck up and smell the responsibility you have as a role model for women. (And YES, you are a role model whether you wanted to be or not.)
A fucking million points to Lizzie Winstead for screaming at them about how their entire blog is based off of EMULATION. On The Huffington Post and Shoot The Messenger, Lizzie Winstead expressed her disgust with Moe and Tracie by saying:
I don’t know if they came to the show drunk, or just ended up drunk by the time they hit the stage, but what I do know is that the discussion that ensued was deeply disturbing to me for a few reasons:
Because they had no regard for the people who came that night and paid money to hear them speak.
They do not understand the influence they have over the women who read them, nor do they accept any responsibility as role models for young women who are coming of age searching for lifestyles to emulate.
Words and actions matter, and those of us who are given a forum to share opinion should always be mindful of that, and those of us who are trying to be watchdogs for the truth, should always call out harmful inaccuracies when we see them. I feel a responsibility to hold these young women accountable for the statements they make as they seem sure to keep repeating them.
As a perfect example of the power these two bloggers have, when one college student expressed her criticism and disappointment with the Jezebels, Tracie and Moe left a comment on her blog defending themselves, she backpedaled and made excuses for the pair. Apparently poor Tracie just doesn't like talking about rape! It's not her fault!
To be fair, as she pointed out in the comments of this post, Tracie was very skittish about discussing the topic of rape because she fully admitted she knows nothing about it. The whole discussion was just very awkward.
And also, it's not their fault they were drunk and saying stupid things! They thought it was a comedy show! Like ,why the hell were they made to talk about all that serious stuff!?
...This show was supposed to be a COMEDY show, which explains why all the intensity took me by surprise, and also kind of explains why Moe and Tracie weren't necessarily prepared. I don't think any of us were ready for the maelstrom of seriousness hurled at the panel/audience.
I don't care what the fuck kind of show you're on, you DO NOT imply
that women who have been raped just weren't being SMART ENOUGH or say
that if you're raped, you just "live through it".
These women are SO MISINFORMED. And here they are, in the position to reach out to thousands and millions of women online who are starved for something real, for something honest and funny and different....
And they've obviously just shit all over it and shown their true colors.
Comments
Now that all sounds positive until you consider that the same descriptions applies to serial killers (oh, yeah, and rapists).
[this is shocking and depressing]
Not you, Jezebel, you understand.
Rapists who are more than likely frat boys with drugs, right? Wait, what?
I'm pretty sure there have been a lot of angry comments to Gawker and Jezebel. But they'll have all been deleted.
They'll just let us know how we're just not *getting it* and that they're *being funny*. Blargh.
As a blogger, I like the negative comments! They cause a bit of a stir and sometimes make me realise when I've been a bit of an idiot. I learn from them. And goodness knows, these two deserve this more than anyone.
What a waste of blogging space these two are.
This whole thing is freakin' ridiculous. I also enjoy the attitude that "meh, it's just abortion!!" Mother. Of. God.
since when does "liberated" equal "stupid"?????
Oh my god I only watched the first clip and now I want to kill myself.
Where to even begin? "Pulling out" counts as birth control--good one. Rape is just something that happens (but apparently not in Williamsburg) and you get over it. Talking about how you regret being drunk most of the time--while drink. And do these two actually sound like especially inarticulate and bored 11th graders, or are they just worried that if the boys they date find out their real ages they'll dump them?
This was a hit piece.
If you slog through all of the comments on Jezebel regarding this (i don't recommend it), you'll find a couple from the Editor in Chief, Anna, explaining some of the peculiarities about this particular show.
It doesn't excuse the behavior, but it does give context. Nobody walked away from this debacle smelling good.
I agree with the interviewer (Lizz?), these two women are role-models even if they don't want to be, and to behave in such a cavalier manner about something this serious, which damages the lives of people who suffer it in terrible and countless ways is just heartless, and crass. They should be ashamed of themselves; they should apologise to their readers and they should think twice and then think again before ever speaking on the subject again.
This is the only blog I read and have ever read, I have a personal interest. I have never heard of Moe and Tracie or this show with Lizz. Based only on what I have seen, heard and read this morning I am offended and disgusted that these two women have somehow and amazingly gained popularity. I will believe that this is WHO THEY ARE. On my drunkest day, I can only speak what I believe and what I know, I am not overtaken by a voice putting words and views in my being and then spewing them from me as I am their vehicle. If I had any say in their futures, they would be nowhere near any possible format to be heard from. A fish hatchery in Alaska shall be their audience, they won't last long. And as far as Lizz, I know only what I saw on this interview but you sank right down there with them as far as I could tell, have some integrity and don't allow this insulting, degrading, uninformative waste of time on your show. As soon as you realized what was up you should have stopped it, you also have a responsibility to the women who watch your show.
What a couple of fucktards. And who the hell goes on a show to talk about China and/or rape and expect it to be comedic?!?
I have never seen two women act like such jackasses in my entire life! I am all for women embracing their sexuality but DAMN! How about some dignity to go along with that? Talking about not having rapists in the area that she lives and how she avoids it by not hanging out with frat boys made her sound so unintelligent. My jaw dropped when she started saying that stuff. Even if they thought this would be a comedy show, some good old fashioned common sense and just paying attention to the lack of laughing from the audience should have told them otherwise.
Well I can see they got you worked up, I have no use for many types of people and unfortunately these are another type of feminist to add to my list! The feminist who dump on man for all there problems and there is 50/50 blame there but what kind of an example are they putting forward! Sure rape there needs to be more education but that is to both girl and guy / woman and man, no means no! I know denial is a handy tool to forget things but if you were truly raped what bother would it be to request and expect justice. I will have to check out the videos and there web sight when I get to some high speed tomorrow but from how upset you are, I can’t and can believe how they are becoming popular off the works of others, eliminating anything that doesn’t flatter them and ignoring anyone who doesn’t bow down and think there the thing. No wonder there is such a messed up view on feminism, when they belittle there own and put it into the realm of being a party girl!
http://sianyland.vox.com/library/post/what-the-fuck.html
They don't deserve to be cut any slack. Why shouldn't they be held responsible for their behavior? They're adults. Whether or not they want to own up to being role models for young women, they're still professional writers and were representing their website and Gawker Media. They showed up drunk. They were unprepared. Then toss in all the horrendous things they said and it's just inexcusable.
I would love to see these two fired.
For some reason, my full comment didn't post. Sorry about the double post.
This whole situation sickens me that two women could actually think those things. Being drunk is not an excuse. I've been drunk hundreds of times, and I've never made light out of RAPE. It's not the least bit funny. They came across as total idiots. I can't even believe these women are writers.
I wrote an article about this whole debacle. I think you will find it interesting and will agree with me on a few points. http://coletteslovebytes.blogspot.com/2008/07/night-feminism-died.html
Also, when you get a chance, read Tracie Egan's response to all of this: http://onedatatime.typepad.com For somebody who is 29, she acts like she's 18. This girl has a huge reality check coming her way.
Love your blog! I write about pop culture and relationships also. You're a great writer. I will definitely put you in my blogroll.
In this instance, what was said was stupid, irresponsible, offensive and crass. They were trying to be "edgy". They were trying to be funny, but the point is is that they weren't. Making an offensive joke is bad enough, but making a so-called "bad joke" about rape in public, when you work for a women's issues or feminism site, while you're drunk is inexcusable. Do I really think that Tracie Egan thinks that women who gets raped are stupid? I'm not sure.
You have to seriously wonder about someone who, while drunk, would REPEATEDLY make such disgusting jokes and flippantly say things like "I don't hang out with frat guys" as a reason why she hasn't been raped. If these women had some one or two things that were offensive, fine, you can call them bad jokes. But these were not just one or two "bad jokes". They conveyed the same misinformed, arrogant attitudes about rape and date rape over and over again through not only what seemed to be attempted jokes, but statements and idiotic observations. What they said were not just bad jokes.
Exactly. I don't think RAPE is funny - just as I don't think RACISM is funny. However, there are comedians like Sarah Silverman that makes jokes about racism that I think are funny. As she says, "They're jokes about racism, not racist jokes."
Things you shouldn't laugh at like mental illness, physical disabilities and even death can be funny. It's a fine line...a very fine line. However, these women are not comedians. You know when someone is trying to be truly funny and make an actual joke, and I don't think they were.
Tracie and Moe, it seems, were just trying to make sarcastic comments and do their whole "god I'm so ironic and apathetic about everything, god I'm so hilarious" act...but it ended up being horrific as they *whoops* got drunk and showed how much they don't care about women's issues and how unqualified they are to be in the professional positions that they are.
Thanks for the comment, dude.
Yeah, I've been drunk a, uh, well a few times and I don't think I've ever been like, "I've never been raped, so obviously, all you rape victims out there are just doing something wrong!!! I've had tons of sex! And look at me! I'm fine! What the hell is your problem??"
I stopped by Tracie's blog to read the "Rape is boring" or whatever she called it post, and it made me want to vomit. Whatever. It says volumes about Gawker Media that not only have Tracie and Moe revealed the true attitudes behind Jezebel, but that they've been outed, and are still fucking employed. Whatever. They'll crash and burn in their own time.
Yeah, I know. What was she planning on doing? Crackin' some killer jokes about freeing Tibet?
"What's all this rape shit? I was going to rag on the Chinese! THIS IS A COMEDY SHOW GOD DAMMIT."
"I am no angel and tell a few stories on this tape about my own life that are cringe worthy and so I put myself up for scrutiny here as well."
The shit about being "Terminator 3" bothered me and a lot of her jokes in the beginning I didn't think were very funny - but they didn't anger me. I think she started the interview by wanting to be on their level and sort of match their humour style to make for a better interview...but then when Moe and Tracie took it too far, you could tell that she wasn't cool with it and was even baffled.
For fuck's sake. This has got to be a joke. Is it? I didn't get through the first video, so I am still hoping for a punchline.
I wouldn't read anything these women wrote -- it's painful enough listening to them. I would change tables if I was put next to them at a restaurant and heard them talking. And women's issues? Let them stick to picking out this season's hottest nailpolish colours for getting drunk by. They don't seem to have any sort of "in" on issues that pertain to women AT ALL.
This is an embarrassment. I can't believe these women think they speak for anyone other than themselves.