State Department Warns Ugly Americans on Spring Break Abroad to Beware Foxier Suitors
Sexist or nah? The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs sent out a divisive tweet Wednesday, one that prompted a fiery discussion within the Twittersphere. Consensus on whether or not the State Department’s dispatch was offensive to women has not yet been reached, so let’s try to parcel out what’s going on here.
The bureau tweeted the following:
“Not a ‘10’ in the US? Then not a 10 overseas. Beware of being lured into buying expensive drinks or worse — being robbed. #springbreakingbadly”
image
Source: Mic/Twitter
You may be thinking, 10 of what? Most likely, the State Department is referring to the lucky few who rank 10 out of 10 on the nebulous and subjective scale that is human attractiveness. The tweet seems to be warning the non-10s out there against allowing themselves to be duped by out-of-their-league spring break suitors who, it’s implied, are either trying to scam them for drinks or rob them — either way, conning their lesser-looking ass into handing over their money.
Is it sexist? Many on Twitter think so. “@TravelGov this is unnecessarily sexist,” one user tweeted. “There are a lot of other ways to make your point.”
“@TravelGov @gonicholasgo Incredibly irresponsible to use sexist and objectifying language to prove you’re 'down with the kids,’” another added. “Do better.”
But as the State Department went on to point out, it “made no mention of gender.” We read that into the tweet, because when we talk about people as 10s — think: dime pieces — we’re generally talking about women. That’s not the big problem with this tweet, though.
The problem, as Breakthrough U.S. pointed out, is the State Department’s “objectifying language.” It reduces peoples’ worth to a mark on a numbered scale and insinuates that the only reason a conventionally attractive individual might speak to a less conventionally attractive individual is for pay. Which is pretty bleak and, for the record, not the case.
It’s probably also the reason that the State Department has since apologized. That, or it buckled under the weight of a tremendous social media clapback.
The bureau tweeted the following:
“Not a ‘10’ in the US? Then not a 10 overseas. Beware of being lured into buying expensive drinks or worse — being robbed. #springbreakingbadly”
image
Source: Mic/Twitter
You may be thinking, 10 of what? Most likely, the State Department is referring to the lucky few who rank 10 out of 10 on the nebulous and subjective scale that is human attractiveness. The tweet seems to be warning the non-10s out there against allowing themselves to be duped by out-of-their-league spring break suitors who, it’s implied, are either trying to scam them for drinks or rob them — either way, conning their lesser-looking ass into handing over their money.
Is it sexist? Many on Twitter think so. “@TravelGov this is unnecessarily sexist,” one user tweeted. “There are a lot of other ways to make your point.”
“@TravelGov @gonicholasgo Incredibly irresponsible to use sexist and objectifying language to prove you’re 'down with the kids,’” another added. “Do better.”
But as the State Department went on to point out, it “made no mention of gender.” We read that into the tweet, because when we talk about people as 10s — think: dime pieces — we’re generally talking about women. That’s not the big problem with this tweet, though.
The problem, as Breakthrough U.S. pointed out, is the State Department’s “objectifying language.” It reduces peoples’ worth to a mark on a numbered scale and insinuates that the only reason a conventionally attractive individual might speak to a less conventionally attractive individual is for pay. Which is pretty bleak and, for the record, not the case.
It’s probably also the reason that the State Department has since apologized. That, or it buckled under the weight of a tremendous social media clapback.
230456 274341An fascinating discussion could be valued at comment. I do believe which you basically write read far more about this subject, it may possibly not often be a taboo topic but normally persons are too couple of to dicuss on such topics. To a higher. Cheers 577148
ReplyDelete838253 595219I like this post, enjoyed this 1 appreciate it for putting up. 799148
ReplyDelete579256 714655Hello, Neat post. There is an issue along with your website in internet explorer, might test thisK IE nonetheless is the marketplace chief and a big section of people will pass over your excellent writing due to this problem. 13366
ReplyDelete978621 691852When I initially commented I clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a remark is added I get four emails with exactly the same comment. Is there any manner you possibly can take away me from that service? Thanks! 7486
ReplyDelete