Practicing my free speech: Feminism

Even though this article might not hit the headlines (because the truth is always kept off the record or some might not share it due to their politically correct worldview), I am going to share my thoughts on the current wave that is sweeping the world and the gambling industry.

I have been thinking a lot before engaging into the topic. However, if one keeps silent and just shares Press Releases and Latest News, one question pops up immediately: what’s the role of journalism in all this?

Growing up in a former communist region (about which some of you have only a theoretical knowledge) makes me raise awareness about the dismaying times towards which we are heading.

“The dual-systems theory of patriarchy and capitalism which was a common form of socialist feminism in the 1970s and ‘80s was viewed as a failed project by many in the 1990s and beyond. In any event, the fall of Communism in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe probably had a negative effect on the popularity of socialist feminism.” (Source: monthlyreview.org)

It is clear that if you switch on the TV, listen to the radio, read printed newspapers and browse through the online media, you will find the words “sexism” and “feminism” everywhere. There is no denying that with these public allegations and mainstream media helping the movement, we are heading towards the theory Marx developed in 1844.

Probably the majority of you would contest these facts, stating that Western society is a free one and will never apply Marxism to its social realities. However, the statements of the UK Gambling Commission Chief Executive, Sarah Harrison, and the statements of the representatives of Clarion Gaming Events are exactly related to Marxist theory.

Marxism has always been at the forefront of the cause of women’s emancipation and the Bolsheviks always took the question of revolutionary work among women workers very seriously. Lenin, in particular, attached an enormous importance to this question, especially in the period of the revolutionary upsurge from 1912-14, and during the First World War. It was at this time that International Women’s Day (8th March) began to be celebrated with mass workers’ demonstrations. It is not an accident that the February (March, according to the new calendar) revolution arose from disturbances around Women’s Day, when women demonstrated against the War and the high cost of living.

Now, don’t get me wrong here: I’m a billion miles away from being sexist and was just pointing out the fact that the ideology of these “Wonder Women” is clearly a sign that the spirit of Marx is living today and has now made its way into all industries.

Just by reading that the British Gambling Commission (GC) issued a demand to halt the promotion of sexism in the Gambling industry, referencing to this week’s ICE Totally Gaming event and that the regulator emphasized that it could boycott the trade show unless there is some change in this attitude makes you raise an eyebrow and ask: What exactly is the real role of Ms. Harrison?

It’s utterly funny how she tries to de-eroticise the adult entertainment industry while the modern society is full of women drinking themselves into stupor, parading their naked derrière and flashing of their breasts in public after the booze starts kicking in. Why? Because this is seen as THE attention-grabbing behavior. The cool one.

Credits: dailymail.co.uk

I guess the women in this picture are all part of some promoter’s group which was contracted by a company active in the gambling industry. Now that’s class for you! Why not starting an education program about women’s self-esteem in today’s society if you want to trigger off a movement? Commenting on marketing techniques and promoters just looks like silly tactics towards a straw dummy.

This sounds clearly like some grand plan that will make the world better. Probem is that it’s hooking a large audience and snaking its way into many industries out there. Basically it’s happening in all industries. Just read through the article about Sexism in eSports or just consider what is happening in the auto industry, where the subjects of the new rule have made a statement saying that their activity should not be scrapped because they don’t see it as a sexist or exploitative job.

How are the “ladies” in the picture above “classier” than the ones pictured below, who are used for brand or sport promotion? Guess promo girls are being mistreated and forced to strut their bodies. It’s farcical how feminists from all corners of the world like to dress sexy on dates and go out partying in seminude clothes. Or maybe they’re going out in their jammies and slippers?

Credits: examiner.co.uk

Do you really think that men are going to races or watching live broadcast because they want to see the promo girls? I bet that if there were male models promoting this or that brand, the female audience would be chatting incessantly about them during their girl talk.

Most of the female sports fans are following athletes or racers for their good looks (e.g. Beckham, Ronaldo, Hamilton…). Now, following the slippery logic of feminist vigilance, shouldn’t FIFA ban famous players from doing underwear commercials because it’s scandalously sexist?

If you’re smart enough to get this correctly or if you’re an ‘out of the box’ type of person, you will easily see that scrapping stereotype behavior should not be combated by rules. It should be encouraged by the genuine role models via proper education.

Back to the gambling industry and the clear statements meant to abolish sexism in the industry….

Bringing to notice some previous editions of the event, the Chief of the UK Gambling Commission spoke about the “scantily clad” women who were featured on stands to promote certain gambling products and services. Referring to her own visit to the show last year, the authority figure said this is a “significant stain on the industry’s reputation” and that it led her to speak with the senior figures from across the gambling sector about implementing a big change to this.

Taking a look at the situation of the UK’s gambling industry, which is currently being bombarded with irrational changes, we can already declare that the Gambling Commission has started this boycott based on skirt length of mannequins and just goes with the flow to somehow keep the industry on a tight feminist leash.

Credits: Firelotto.io Twitterfeed

The photo and some of the promoters were subject to outrage by BBC and, of course, Chief Sarah Harrison, who earlier this week told BBC’s Radio 4 about her dismay at seeing a gender disparity at the show, with some women on exhibition stalls doing promotional work in revealing clothing.

“The men were wearing smart suits and women were being asked to wear not much more than swimsuits. That’s totally unacceptable; it’s not reflective of the modern economy,” she said.

“This isn’t about political correctness. It’s about good regulation and good governance, because businesses that have a more diverse workforce are more likely to make better decisions. And that’s critical from a regulator’s point of view.”

Now I ask you: how is this different than seeing the minds that shape the youth in society doing promotional skits for different brands? See the picture below with Katy Perry showing that she is a fangirl of West Ham United.

Credits: mirror.co.uk

Another statement that got under my business owner skin was the statement issued by the organizer of the event. Given the fact that all these companies attending and exhibiting at the event are already obeying thousands of rules and paying heavy money for their participation, they have to commit to promoting their brand names via personalized agendas or pens (freebies that are usually thrown away by delegates anyway) without having any instant presence of their brands in the eyes of attending delegates.

The European Casino Association (ECA) and Clarion Gaming, which are the event’s organisers, have backed the UKGC, issuing an open letter urging exhibitors to take note of the warning before the event opens tomorrow.

According to The Guardian, the letter said: “In the spirit of the 21st century, when both women and men play strategic and decision-making roles in businesses, we encourage all exhibitors to mindfully represent support staff promoting their products at the show in a non-offensive and non-stereotyping way.”

The question here is: Are women not allowed to take part in decision-making bodies in the gambling industry? Having the experience in organizing events and discussing marketing plans, 90% of the decision makers which I’ve discussed with and which gave the green light for everything promotional; were women. There is nothing wrong with and the statement makers should closely consider the fact that all the promoters and their outfits are mostly picked by female event planners and event managers working for the exhibiting companies.

Do you really think that “male” business owners are attending these events to ogle at the promo girls? I think that we have passed this point a couple of years ago and the ones that do attend especially for such entertainment are just plain old horny anyway. I mean, let’s not squeeze the male mindset evolution into the stereotype thinking you are claiming to oppose.

It’s really funny how just 8 – 9 names have evolved to the statuses of leaders of a movement which is backed by their egos and is just shared by fellow industry colleagues (from both genders) just to be associated with the leading company.

As I put it in the article’s introduction, I don’t expect many to share my view on the situation, but just think about how such a rewrite of social codes is taking back open mindedness to a dangerous level where you are inhibited to wear clothing that has been the subject of harsh regulation.

The subject will be a main discuss on “The Morning Show” with Hawkie which is streamed Monday morning on iGamingRadio.com

Make sure you add your comments on our social media channels and look forward to receiving your backlash!

PS: The featured image was picked to lure in the female readers of the article. How stereotypical of me…..