«Previous post | Next post»

The return of Feminist Frequency and Tropes Vs Women on Youtube

It´s been months since I´ve heard or written anything about Tropes Vs Women, Feminist Frequency, Anita Sarkeesian. And good thing that, since there is much better and more important thing to focus on. However, I´m going to make an exception this time. As this story is just too good to be true, but that´s exactly how it is. You see. Earlier today Feminist Frequency uploaded a Youtube video called “Strategic Butt Coverings – Tropes vs Women in Video Games”, which they choose to describe in the following way:

“This episode examines the ways in which designers often employ camera angles and clothing choices as tools to deliberately sexualize and objectify female protagonists of third-person games. To illustrate that this is no accident, we contrast the ways in which women’s butts are frequently emphasized with the great lengths often taken to avoid calling attention to the butts of male characters. We then present some examples of female-led third-person games that humanize rather than objectify their protagonists. This is the first episode in season two of Tropes vs. Women in Video Games.” – Feminist Frequency, Strategic Butt Coverings – Tropes vs Women in Video Games

Yes, you read it right. FF made a six-minute long video about video game butts, and that alone is a big laughing-stock. And please allow me to tell you why, for starter. Obviously, Feminist Frequency has no clue how the human nature work (we all have sexual desires, no matter the gender), and there is both male and female video game booty (which both sexes can enjoy). And most third-person games (no matter the gender of the lead) offer viewable booty (on one level or another). So what exactly does Anita (with friends) want and demand from game developers really? I mean, does she want developers to cover up their characters from head to toe? (maybe Anita wants all game characters to look like “The Scythian”?).

I guess that Feminist Frequency suffers from some kind of “video game booty” phobia?

You know, if I didn´t know better I would suspect that Anita´s wet dream is to make all game characters fat, ugly and force them to wear big boxes (which would cover up all their physical appearances) But you know what? Screw that, because if FF and Anita want characters to be like that. Then they can create their own games, characters and market for it. And I hardly doubt that the vast majority of Gamers would want to watch (or play as) any game characters, which will make them lose their breakfast (or launch). Another thing, Feminist Frequency has gone through these topics (“sexism”, “sex objects” and “misogyny”) over and over again for years now (FF´s “Tropes Vs Women in games” video was uploaded on the 4th of June, 2012).

My point would be this. I have a feeling that Feminist Frequency is running out of fuel (that´s probably also why they have rebranded themselves, made a new logo and steeped further and further away from Gaming). Because seriously, how much longer can they go on about the same topics before the public loses their interest in them? (Feminist Frequency videos have dropped quite a lot in views over the last couple of months).

We all love booty, and that´s no lie.

And do you remember what I wrote about “the human nature” earlier in this post? Well, it seems like females loves booty as well (real as digital, male as female booty). What a shock! (I wonder if FF will attack booty in sports next?):

Raven haired security girl checking out Gilbert Melendez

Trainer checking Bruce Ellington out on sideline

UFC Weigh In Girl Staring UFC Fighters

Solid Snake BIG ASS (Metal Gear Solid 2)

I would also like to point out that Sarkeesian gets away with a lot of her schemes and statements, simply because she uses her feminist and female card (which Anita has done for years now). And funny enough, Sarkeesian has been complaining about female tropes in video games since 2012. Still, she loves to use the female trope card in real life whenever she feels like it. Especially when someone confronts her with facts, evidence and second opinions. Because according to Anita, critique is the same thing as harassment (and that´s where the “tropes card” comes into play). In other words, she´s a big hypocrite. And that´s probably why Feminist Frequency has chosen to disable the comment function on their Youtube videos (FF has also turned of their likes and dislikes on Youtube). As FF won´t have to worry about any comments calling them out that way.

“COMMENTS: We have been forced to close comments on YouTube due to continued harassment of this channel but please feel free to post and share this video with your own social media networks to facilitate discussions.” – Feminist Frequency

I also noticed another thing, on pretty much all of Feminist Frequency´s videos, they have added the following text to their video descreptionbox:

“FAIR USE
The multimedia clips included in this video constitute a ‘fair use’ of any copyrighted material as provided for in Section 107 of U.S. Copyright law which allows for criticism, comment and scholarship.”

It´s pretty well-known that Feminist Frequency has used other people´s creations (videos, art pictures and so on) to use it in their own videos in the past . So I find it to be rather funny that they use the “fair use” praxis to justify their actions. It also seems like Feminist Frequency believes that they can state whatever they want on the Internet, without risking having anyone calling them out on their nonsense. Well, here´s a newsflash. That´s not how it works, and there are consequences to everything you do (good and bad).

Besides, how are you supposed to evolve as a creator and artist if you hide in your safe space all the time? Because if you´re shielding yourself from any kind of critique, then it´s impossible to grow and become better at your profession. And I should know, as I´ve been dealing with critique for over seven years time when it comes to writing. However, it´s a big difference between constructive criticism. And leaving hateful comments or death treats (like in the case with Totalbiscuit for example). What I´m trying to say is that I’m alright with criticism, but it´s not cool to silence another person’s opinion with treats of violence. In other words, keep it clean if you intend to start a debate with Sarkeesian or Feminist Frequency. So no punches below the belt (FF will just use that against you if you do, and use it to fuel their own agenda while they´re at it).

No, I don´t think that it´s a pure coincidence. Not at all.

The established Gaming and media news sites are biased to the max

And the final part of this post should come as no surprise to anyone (at least not if you´re somewhat “enlightened”). So, to make a mong story short. I saw a tweet by Benjus Maximus (a Twitter user, Youtuber and Gamer) on the subject about biased Gaming outlets and news sites (as seen in the picture above). Because once Feminist Frequency uploaded their “Strategic Butt Coverings” video. The established games and media news sites (Polygon, Huffingtonpost, Engadget and themarysue to name a few) picked up on it limitedly, and favored it as well. And this is nothing uncommen, and most of the time none of them points out any of Feminist Frequency´s flaws or past mistakes, blunders and scandals either.

I sure hope that Engadget meant this as a joke.

I bet that Polygon will remove that comment (and similar comments) in the near future.

And this actually made me wonder how many of them that are personal friends with Feminist Frequency? (in one way or another). Because I hardly doubt that they have (or will) disclose their relationship with FF if that was the case. And does any of these sites (in this case Polygon, Huffingtonpost, Engadget and themarysue) have any economic interest in FF? Because if they do, then it´s a clear case of “conflict of interest”. However, I don´t know if that´s the case at this time. Nevertheless, it´s still most definitely worth digging deeper into that subject. As for here and now though, Tropes vs Women has once again turned themselves into a laughing-stock (there are already tons of parody pictures and memes based on their latest video). So quite frankly, I´m somewhat curious to see how FF will be able to top their own stupidity in their next video.

With that said, what´s your thoughts on Feminist Frequency´s “Strategic Butt Coverings” video? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section down below!

***Disclaimer***
This is a personal opinion of the writer, and it doesn’t necessarily represent the other writers (nor The Gaming Ground´s) opinions.

***Disclosure***
I´m not a fan of Feminist Frequency or Anita Sarkeesian. Even so, I still think that I´ve been fair with my critique against them.

Source:
Huffpost Tech
Polygon
Strategic Butt Coverings