Funny Ways

I'd like to celebrate my 200th post by posting up about a controversial issue: is it okay to be conditionally exploited?

Let's take the following scenarios into consideration. We will consider a woman who is dancing to Juvenile's "Back That Azz Up" (or any dance song with sexually pervasive dance lyrics and chants). Through each scenario, let's ask ourselves: does the woman have the right to object to the attention she receives?

• Scenario 1: A man sees the woman dancing, backing it up and such, and decides to ogle her. He in no way makes a move to touch her in any way. He's just there, observing. Does the woman have the right to object to him looking at her dancing sexually at a club? No. He is violating no laws, nor is he violating your personal space, so he is within his rights to do so.
  
  
• Scenario 2: A man sees the woman dancing, backing it up and such, and decides to try to make contact with her. He scoots up on her and tries to press on her behind. Not asking, not saying a word, just intruding. Does the woman have a right to object to him pushing up on him? You better believe it. Like I said in the previous blog, under no circumstances does a man have the right to touch a woman if she does not want to be touched.
  
  
• Scenario 3: A man sees the woman dancing, backing it up and such, and, realizing touching her unwarrantedly is wrong, decides to take out a camera for pictures and/or video. Again, touching her in no way, but actively taping. Does the woman have a right to object to the taping? Some would say yes, on the grounds that the pictures/video could be used for the purpose of exploiting her on the Internet or whatever. Some would say that it is fine, because it is in a public place and the club's allowance of the cameras into their establishment makes it perfectly within their right to tape.
  

Let's examine Scenario 3. The possible exploitation is what they will mainly object to. Okay, let's switch gears for a minute. Let's look back at the Ladies' Night concept again, where the Vagina Discount comes into play in immense fashion. Ladies get in free all night, free drinks, the works. Let's look deeper. Why do clubs do this? They do it so that they can use the fact that there are a lot of women in the club to bring in the paying men. They will often employ the help of radio DJ's to further hype up the event, commenting on the ladies there, their clothing (or lack thereof), their flamboyant dancing, the lines, etc. Sometimes, they will even invite some of the women to come onto the mic to talk about how excited they are to be there and how much they look forward to letting their hair down and having a good time. Sometimes, an extra incentive is offered in cases where women may come scantily clad (thongs=automatic V.I.P. or whatever). Wait a second. Wouldn't the club be using the woman's presence for the sake of making money off them?

ex·ploi·ta·tion
n.

1. The act of employing to the greatest possible advantage.
   
2. Utilization of another person or group for selfish purposes.
   
3. An advertising or a publicity program.
   

Using a female's personage for the sake of making many thousands of dollars off them is exploiting them. Just like the rap videos that most people frown upon. Just like "that damn rap music" that people like to put down. Some would say that the difference is that there is an even exchange: a free night at the club for a monetary gain for the club. A $10 good time for free for you is worth the club making $50,000 off you that night (between cover and the bar, that estimate is very realistic, if not an underestimate)? There is no promise that a picture taken of you will see the light of day, but you are PROMISED to be exploited at Ladies' Night.

Also, what about the clubs that permit taping and have signs that say "by entering this establishment, you consent to your likeness being taped"? Your legal rights against the videographer and the establishment are abolished, and you are left powerless to the devices of club politics. Yet, the person with the camera is the bad guy? Should you rebel against the club for exploiting you?

I'm probably as wrong as two left feet on this, and will probably feel the heat for it accordingly. I've asked around and have gotten no direct answer for why a DEFINITE financial exploitation of your body is excuseable, while a nameless schmuck getting some poor quality video of you dancing is the enemy of the state, who won't do anything with the video outside of show his boys. When is it okay to exploit someone? Somebody break it down for me. Thank you for your time.

-B