Comic Discussion > QUESTIONABLE CONTENT
WCDT 25-29 Apr 2011 (1911-1915)
CompSarge:
--- Quote from: LoveJaneAusten on 29 Apr 2011, 15:06 ---I'm not sure if you don't understand my critique or are deliberately avoiding it, but I don't think I've shamed Jeph for anything.
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Maybe you don't remember one of your very first posts. Shall we go back in time?
--- Quote from: LoveJaneAusten ---Lesbian women are in particular painted as slutty, because lesbian sexuality is so often portrayed for the male gaze, and because they are often assumed to be one straight sex encounter from being straight. Today's comic is particularly egregious because not only does Tai go topless as a reflex to seeing Dora in a bra, but she then tries to strip Faye! This is effectively a caricature of the slutty lesbian, illustrating what is probably the most dangerous stereotype for gays and lesbians: that they will, given half a chance, try to have sex with and "convert" straight people. It speaks to a deep homophobia in the media, a fear of gay sexuality as essentially contagious. This was a huge problem in the 80s when AIDS became a problem, and it's a huge problem today.
And this is all to say nothing of how Tai fits numerous other lesbian stereotypes (life revolves around sex, gets a piercing at the drop of a hat, recreational drug user).
--- End quote ---
Seems to me like there's plenty of shaming going on here.
Tergon:
Again, I do agree that Tai's a bit of a horny-lesbian stereotype. But then, if I saw a portly Italian man with a magnificent moustache, I could reasonably say the same about him matching another stereotype, no? Or perhaps if I were to meet a rock star who had a habit of leaving motel rooms in a mess. The observation that someone matches a stereotype is just that - an observation. By itself, it goes no further than that. And I think we can all agree that as an uninhibited person with few sexual or social boundaries, Tai does meet a stereotype.
The conflict here seems to be whether or not this is a negative thing. I submit that it is not! For a stereotype to be seen as negative, then I think one of two things are required, and we're not seeing either of those.
The person is portraying the stereotype to an insulting degree.
Well, even ignoring the fact that Tai is not the only lesbian or homosexual in the strip, Tai is just not a negative character. The rest of the cast all get along with her, plus she's tiny and hilarious and adorable. She's confident, outgoing, she's gainfully employed despite the fact that she's only a student, she's clearly intelligent, and she's living her life in a way that she chooses. The fact that she's uninhibited regarding her sex life and has poor impulse control is just a bit of spice to all that sugar, but I don't believe she's at all an insulting image to hold up to lesbians as a group.
The person is exemplifying the stereotype to an unrealistic point in lieu of serious character development.
From what we've seen, this isn't going against her character development, this is a part of it! As I noted before, Tai's spent a greater percentage of her screen time in QC at least partially naked than pretty much every other character. She's quirky, uninhibited, and despite other characters being considerably more straight-laced she's not even the first to flash her boobs, which doesn't exactly make this a watershed moment for the strip. Not to mention? That quirky, uninhibited nature of hers has led to most of her interaction with the other characters, but from there it's led to discussions about her lifestyle choices and whether it makes her happy, it's introduced her through Marten to the rest of the cast, it also led to Steve finding Cosette, it got her introduced to Hannelore and Marigold. And saying that the current strip is going to lead to drama is a pointless statement because... obviously that's the case. This strip isn't gratuitous boobage in place of character development, it's setting up the scene for what we all know is to come, which will only lead to us exploring Tai's character more deeply.
So, in short, I agree. Tai is in many ways matching a stereotypical horny, uninhibited lesbian. I don't deny that. I just have to follow up the observation with one simple question.
...so what?
LoveJaneAusten:
--- Quote from: CompSarge on 29 Apr 2011, 15:29 ---Maybe you don't remember one of your very first posts. Shall we go back in time?
Seems to me like there's plenty of shaming going on here.
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Ah, I see how you could read my critique as shaming Jeph, but it really isn't. It's an analysis of the comic, not a missive directed at Jeph, and I think I ground it pretty well in the context of media stereotypes.
--- Quote from: Tergon on 29 Apr 2011, 15:31 ---So, in short, I agree. Tai is in many ways matching a stereotypical horny, uninhibited lesbian. I don't deny that. I just have to follow up the observation with one simple question.
...so what?
--- End quote ---
This is a pretty good analysis! There is another way a stereotype can be harmful or seen as negative, however, and that is when stereotypes, even ones that appear innocuous, exist in a larger context of portrayals. That is what I've been trying to get across in this discussion. This particular comic is only one example or symptom of what are pretty thoughtless characterizations of lesbians and gays in the media. So to answer your "so what?", I would say that portrayals of sex-obsessed lesbians and gays are not helpful for efforts to deconstruct negative stereotyping of homosexuals in media. They reinforce these stereotypes and, writ large, reflect our current social values and prejudices. If we are going to work toward more a more equitable society, it's important that we recognize this for what it is and learn how to deconstruct it.
Is it cold in here?:
--- Quote from: LoveJaneAusten on 29 Apr 2011, 15:06 --- I pointed out that Tai attempts to strip Faye. I think she actually has hit on Faye before, but I don't even know where in the archives to look. Oh, for a search function...
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Some of the strips are searchable via ohnorobot.com. For others, summaries (but not transcripts) are available in jwhouk's awesome article at http://questionablecontent.wikia.com/wiki/Questionable_Content_strip_by_strip .
I can't remember Tai making any passes at Faye, but if you're thinking of Dora, examples are legion, up to and including a boob grab.
--- Quote from: Tender ---All she's done is take off her top
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If that were all she did, that would be one thing, but it's highly relevant that she tried to undress a straight woman whom she probably knew to be straight. I think that was meant to be Tai being playful, but if I'd had to live under the threat of people who believe the "recruiting" fantasy, I would take the comic ill.
mary tyler murder:
Tai continues to make advances on Dora after those advances contributed to the failure of her last relationship.
Surprising nobody, disappointing everybody.
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