The Rise of Enlightened Sexism

Douglas, The Rise of Enlightened Sexism, Chapters 1-5

How has the experience of feminism changed in the last 10 years?

It seems to me the last 10 years have changed in that feminism is no longer (mainly) clamoring for equality in image and perception. For example, Douglas spends a lot of time talking about the rise of feminism in TV shows. Popularity with certain shows soared and many of them portrayed females in roles that had once been reserved for men.
I can't recall the exact quote or where it was located, but the creator of one TV show said he (I think it was a he) was tired of the slasher films where females were always the victims. So, his TV creation portrayed the main female character as fighting evil and coming out on top as the heroine.
So how has this changed? After the ending/termination/retirement/cancellation/whatever/etc. of a number of these shows, the portrayal of females went back to heavily rely on sexuality and now feminism has changed its fight to decrease the presence of women in this role.The increasing rise of MTV, VH1 and shows like Desperate Housewives and The Bachelor.
This time around, female figures/characters are highlighted for their sexuality and the quality of an experience in bed with them as opposed to their ability to fight against 'evil.'
So, instead of pushing for their image to be built up in a way that was typically unassociated with females, feminism is now trying to combat the 'new' way the female figure is portrayed in pop culture.

How have these changes effected communication?

In terms of institutional communication, it is very common for women to be the blunt of sexist remarks and sarcasm that typically get passed off as though somebody is "only kidding." It is as though their sexuality is made into a mockery and set up as typical and ordinary, instead of something we should view as holy.
I think back to my high school days and the time I spent with my guy friends eating lunch in the halls at school or hanging out on Friday nights. The type of interpersonal communication that went on concerning females was anything but personal. It was usually objectified. I sat through I-don't-know-how-many conversations about how certain girls looked as they walked by or who they'd 'done stuff' with lately. Especially for me, interpersonal communication within my male group of friends was heavily dominated by the subject of females. The exact same perception of sexuality that feminism is trying to eliminate is exactly what infiltrated conversations for many years.

What communication events came to mind while reading?

The biggest event that came to my mind was Hillary Clinton's 2008 run for the presidency. Now, if a presidential campaign isn't a communication event, then I don't know what is. I was a freshman in high school the spring of 2008 when all the primaries took place. I don't remember reading headlines or listening to the political bobbleheads talking about Clinton's sexuality or what she was wearing, etc. I remember her being a legitimate candidate for the office. I remember seeing videos and pictures of thousands and thousands of people showing up to listen to hear speak. I watched returns on the night of primaries and saw the results as she took in millions of votes.
The context of this all? It happened during a time (especially according to my answer to question 1) when culture was high on sex, criticism, and objectification. From what we've read of Julia Wood and so far with Susan Douglas, they place a world of emphasis on what sexism did to Clinton instead of what Clinton did to sexism. And to note, that's another fault of culture/media. A favorite quote of mine goes like this, "The evening news is where they start by saying 'Good Evening,' and then they proceed to tell you why it isn't." So much energy could have been spent on the positives of the entire experience and campaign. YES, sexism was present and entered the picture, but why does it still have to be large portion instead of a thumbnail? Instances of sexism will never fully disappear, just as racism won't. We live in a fallen world. But this event, Hillary2008, was one that came to my mind as one that should have made great strides, yet I continually read otherwise.

Links to videos, music, etc.

Katie Couric's notebook, on Campaign Sexism http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3N4M3TIsGM0&feature=relmfu
Sexism in Music http://voices.yahoo.com/sexism-music-5228711.html
Sexism in Super Bowl commercials http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/early-lead/post/super-bowl-ads-2012the-sexiest-sexist-ads/2012/02/03/gIQAJqyfnQ_blog.html

Discussion Questions:

How far does feminism have to go in pointing out sexism until they choose to focus on progress?

The media is high on sexism because it sells. Is there anything about our gender or sexuality that is not offensive that could make as big a wave in culture as sexism does?