Trivializing Others

[¿Que?]

What does it mean to trivialize something? I find that it can be used at certain times to describe when someone is making light of an issue that should be taken more seriously. So for example, racist humor often trivializes the experiences of racial minorities as marginalized groups. Another example would be how female politicians are asked about what sorts of clothes they wear or how many pairs of shoes they have. This trivializes them and diminishes their political authority. Something along these lines. Does anyone wish to elaborate on this?

[Queercommie Girl]

Do clothes necessarily diminish political authority as an intrinsic rule?

Imagine if the world had always been ruled by women, rather than female politicians imitating their male colleagues like what we have now. Wouldn't one expect that in such a case dressing elaborately might actually be a symbol of political authority?

[Lenina Rosenweg]

I've found the TB sitcom which the barely talented Charlie Sheen was banned from, Two and a Half Men", the few times I've seen it, trivialized women and sexual minorities big time.The show mostly consisted of very lame, derogatory sex jokes (there's nothing wrong with good sexual humor) barely strung together with a thin plot. It is the most popular sitcom on US TV. The shows trivilizes women, gays, transgenders, and stereotypes men as sexual predators.

[¿Que?]

Do clothes necessarily diminish political authority as an intrinsic rule?

Imagine if the world had always been ruled by women, rather than female politicians imitating their male colleagues like what we have now. Wouldn't one expect that in such a case dressing elaborately might actually be a symbol of political authority?
To the first question, no. And to the second question, I really can't say. Women's dress has come up before in discussions about how the patriarchal system exhorts pressures on women to conform to at least a minimal standard of feminine behavior. I think for example, if the world had been ruled by women, high heels would never have been invented, to give just one example.

[Queercommie Girl]

I think for example, if the world had been ruled by women, high heels would never have been invented, to give just one example.

Why would you think that?

For instance, wouldn't you think that lesbian women might also be attracted to women in high heels sexually, rather than just men?

[Jimmie Higgins]

What does it mean to trivialize something? I find that it can be used at certain times to describe when someone is making light of an issue that should be taken more seriously. So for example, racist humor often trivializes the experiences of racial minorities as marginalized groups. Another example would be how female politicians are asked about what sorts of clothes they wear or how many pairs of shoes they have. This trivializes them and diminishes their political authority. Something along these lines. Does anyone wish to elaborate on this?That sounds about right to me. I've never really heard this used as some kind of specific political jargon, so I'd just take it to mean what you said. It's pretty common thing to hear from "soft" bigots who simply deny the existence of systematic oppression or exploitation: "Teachers shouldn't complain, they get 3 months off" "Oh, women don't have it hard, I wish people would hit on me all the time" etc.

[¿Que?]

Why would you think that?

For instance, wouldn't you think that lesbian women might also be attracted to women in high heels sexually, rather than just men?
Of course, and I would even go so far as to suggest that women can gain social advantage from diverting attention towards their sexuality, in certain cases. I am specifically talking about the word "trivializing" though. Making something out to be trivial or unimportant, often through the use of sarcasm and humor, I think would be a good way to get to what it is I'm wondering about.

[eyedrop]

Hersketeknikker (Master suppression techniques) as coined by professor Berit Ås, is a fairly well known term here for how women are marginalized in discussions and at the working place. I'll post an excerpt (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master_suppression_techniques#Later_additions) from the english wiki.


The original five master supression techniques

[edit]Making invisible
To silence or otherwise marginalize persons in opposition by ignoring them.
Examples:
Another speaker takes something you have said as if it was an idea of their own, or starts speaking despite it being your turn.
As it is your turn to speak, the other attendees start to talk to each other, browse through their papers, etc.
[edit]Ridicule
See also: Appeal to ridicule
In a manipulative way to portray the arguments of, or their opponents themselves, in a ridiculing fashion.
Example:
Another speaker laughs at your accent and compares you to a character in a humorous TV show (although you had something important to say).
When making an accusation of wrongdoing against someone, you are being told that you look cute when you're angry.
[edit]Withhold information
To exclude a person from the decision making process, or knowingly not forwarding information so as to make the person less able to make an informed choice.
Examples:
Your colleagues have a meeting that concerns you, without inviting you.
Decisions are made not in a conference where everyone is present, but at a dinner party later in the evening, where only some attendants have been invited.
[edit]Double bind
See also: Double bind
To punish or otherwise belittle the actions of a person, regardless of how they act.
Examples:
When you do your work tasks thoroughly, you receive complaints for being too slow. When you do them efficiently, you're critiqued for being sloppy.
A man is critiqued for not helping out with domestic work, but is called unmanly when doing so.
[edit]Heap blame/put to shame
To embarrass someone, or to insinuate that they are themselves to blame for their position.
Example:
You inform your manager that you are being slandered, but are told it is your fault since you dress provokingly.