> i think many of us are just trying
> to reaffirm our connections to our roots and looking for something to
> make us feel like we actually live in a society of people rather than
> dead machines groping across a cold steel void.
This is such an interesting statement because a lot of the piercings
are, to put it simply, sticking a piece of metal in one's body, which
you'd think makes one MORE like a cold steel dead machine, not less.
>
> i also think it has special significance for women..i know it does for
> me. i cant understand how it could ever be interpreted as
> patriarchal....
I'm 32 and have hung around the alternative movement for a few years,
but not really been a part of it, you know what I mean (specifically
I didn't follow all the fashion changes). As I saw body piercing
really taking off my gut reaction as a kind of outsider was that this
was a sadomasochistic practice. Lately, I've talked to people,
especially men, who are heavily into this and found that my initial
gut reaction was confirmed, so far. That is, it's a highly
sexualized practice that has a lot to do with control over pain and
one's body. In my view, sadomasochism is THE form of sexuality that
is normative under patriarchy. So that's why I took body piercing to
be inherently patriarchal.
i think in many ways its a coming to terms with our
> bodies..claiming it as ours to do what we will with...connecting
> ourselves/reminding ourselves of the sacredness and self-healing
> capabilities of our flesh...adorning ourselves in jewelry is an old
> idea...piercing our labias, clitorises etc... has real deep roots
> relating to getting in touch with a part of our bodies thats been denied
> and shamed and tabooed..learning to feel that part of ourselves and
> always remember how central to our lives it is...
>
This is really amazing to read, because, again, as an outsider it
just seems so contrary that someone who was through being ashamed
about her sexuality and physicality, and who was ready to claim her
body as her own, would choose to pierce her genitalia with pieces of
metal. It just seems, superficially, that bodily mutilation is
something OTHERS do to one when one is not in control, or something
one does out of internalized shame over one's body.
The other thing that goes through my mind about this is how men under
patriarchy have such a long history of piercing women's bodies
against their will (that is, rape), and this is increasing, not
decreasing, with old-fashioned rape but also new forms of piercing
like caesarean section, breast implants, etc. So it is just
difficult for me to see women piercing themselves as something new,
different and empowering. It's difficult, but I'm listening as
closely as I can! So if you feel like responding to any of this,
please do.
Brian
