Is All Publicity Good Publicity?
SheRides Cycling was never intended to be a platform to deal with politics or sexism, the only intention I have ever had was to give people 5 minutes of something else in their day, maybe they would find something here that would get them through the day.
On my my commute home last night, I was on twitter and in my feed I found a video that had been tweeted by one of the women we follow. A video by Limitless Performance (Clothing Company from the UK), Cycling Tips has already written up his thoughts this morning which are of course very balanced and to the point; thank you Wade.
The video said,
Nice Try Girls
but it’s not for you
They meant that they didn’t have a clothing line for women, not overly important these days as there are plenty of companies that cater for women. Also not overly important when you have a video that shows a guy ‘blasting’ past a couple of women who they’ve already made to appear inadequate.
The minute the guy ‘blasts’ past out of the saddle and the women give up its already clear that this isn’t for ladies, the body paint takes it one step too far.
When I watched it I automatically assumed that they meant girls shouldn’t cycle, the company has put an apology on their website stating that it was intended to show that they didn’t have kit for women.
I’m a very forgiving person when it comes to advertising, it’s one of my favourite things, to watch, well composed advertisements and understanding the aspiration that they wish me (the viewer) to have. I believe in the cat walk, and I believe in models as coat hangers to display the cut and flow of designer goods. I believe that if you can get attention for your company by using sex then do it, sales matter and the whole world is not ethical.
But this video made me mad.
The only requirement for suffering these days is that one be born a woman and that video is an indication that we can consider women to still be inadequate; not fast enough, not strong enough and not interesting enough.
Most companies have learnt the art of balancing sex appropriately in their advertisements. Take Nike for example, they use women who’re simply sexy because of what they do, dancers that are strong and competent and know who they are. The message comes across so brilliantly that you want to be them, part of you wants that attitude and to feel what they feel.
Limitless Performance, you made me feel like I was nothing, that I train for no reason, that my start line wasn’t as important as yours.
That my goals shouldn’t be considered and when a large percentage of women control household budgets you really should consider who you’re trying to reach.
Advertisement speaks volumes, there’s a reason why companies have consultants to manage advertisements and to judge whether the advert will reach the appropriate audience.
The middle aged man in Lycra will not be reached here, he’ll probably be insulted because his wife rides, and he doesn’t think she’s some piece of arse in body paint. The A grade racer? No, because he probably got his arse kicked by Nicole Whitburn at one point in his racing career and know that women have value on the course. What about the triathlete? Or the long course participant? No. Because they know that the world has women like Chrissie Wellington and Caroline Steffan.
Companies like Assos, Rapha, Netti, Castelli, Ground Effects and Peal Izumi all make good kit for women and men across a range of different price ranges.
I think it’s fair to say that Limitless Performance got chicked and pulled the video.
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“The only requirement for suffering these days is that one be born a women” – so you choose to ignore those born into poverty or being afflicted with AIDS from birth?
Get a grip.
No, I don’t choose to ignore those born into poverty or those who are born with aids. Look beyond what you see and see that women are disadvantaged across the board. A girl will be the first in a family of boys to lack an education in the third world. A boy will be given medicine over a girl, a girl in china is left on the street to die by her parents but a boy is celebrated. A man is more likely to pass on aids in a third world country, especially where those countries believe that sex with a virgin will cure aids.
Women fought to own property, recieve an education, and be allowed to vote. We still fight today for freedom from men, from warlords from CEO’s who think us pieces of arse and tit to be played with.
I have a grip and understand the statement that I wrote, which you do not and I stand by my statement, you have the freedom to choose what you read.
A Dude – totally missed the point. Disease and poverty are externalities that are applied to the individual. Of course they cause suffering – but that suffering can be remedied or avoided by removing the externality.
Being born a woman is different – being a woman is a core part of who I am and I can’t (and wouldn’t) change it. Yet I am told daily that I am less worthwhile and less deserving for something that I can’t change, something as basic as my gender.
Thank you SheRides for highlighting the misguided mysoginism of that UK company. Such dinosaurs deserve to be wiped out my market forces as irrelevancies. Cycling is not just for men and the smart companies realise that.
No problem, the cycling community is very small around the world, most of us connect with someone who knows someone in Europe or America and then is mates with Laura who you might ride with every other Saturday. It’s a community where people talk, where people are listened to and word certainly gets around.
No, I don’t choose to ignore women. Look beyond what you see and see that aboriginals are disadvantaged across the board. An aboriginal will lack an education in the third world. A white boy will be given medicine over an aboriginal boy, an aboriginal boy in the outback is left on the street to die by his parents but a white boy is celebrated. A black man is more likely to pass on aids in a third world country, especially where those countries believe that sex with a virgin will cure aids.
Aboriginals fought to own property, recieve an education, and be allowed to vote. We still fight today for freedom from white men, from warlords from CEO’s who think us pieces of arse and tit to be played with.
^^^^
What I’m trying to say is that being a woman is not the ONLY requirement for suffering. You’re doing a wonderful thing in empowering women through sport and non-sedentary lifestyles, but the simple fact you can afford a bicycle and afford the freedom to do so speaks volumes about your place in this world. Take the blinkers off and be less absolute next time.
Keep up the great work, I truly mean that.
I think we should agree to disagree, perhaps if you’d like my full opinion on the matter you could email me.
I stand by what I said.
And thank you, for providing a point of view and an argument
You get a pat on the back for being nice when someone is derailing you on your own site
Fortunately for me, I do not have the time to argue with someone who doesn’t understand the basis of my statement. Nor do I have time for men who believe that women are free and should not complain or think themselves disadvantaged. He who shall not be identified did say some good things about the work that is done here at SRC and the fact that he can separate the view from one article to another is important to note and I am thankful for his comments.
We may not always agree with each other, but we must be polite, thank you for reading Julia we appreciate your support.
I think what happened is they wanted viral, wondered how to get it and concluded BOOBS without much other thought.
As for women, you are quite right. On a global scale, to be a woman is to suffer.
I hope they’re unsuccessful.
Nice article. The point you made is clear, and absolute. Someone told me today, that a person will forget words that are exchanged, but one never forgets how someone made them feel. Their video fed on emotions, and unfortunately for them many, many negative ones.