Ariel Levy fucks over vegans whilst discussing fucking generally
I’ve always had a lot of affection for Ariel Levy. She’s a good feminist doing good work, and I loved her wife’s wedding tuxedo getup.
Unfortunately she’s done for me, and this is tragic.
I can’t let this go by. In her (interesting) review of the new vs. old Joy of Sex in the January 5, 2009 New Yorker, she drops this little bomb:
If “The Joy of Sex” was like “Joy of Cooking”….“Our Bodies, Ourselves” was like the “Moosewood Cookbook.” Everything in it was healthful, enlightened, nourishing.
Here’s a trick you might try at home sometime: pick almost any recipe in the “Moosewood.” Now add bacon. You will find that the addition of this decidedly unwholesome ingredient makes the food taste much better. “Our Bodies, Ourselves,” likewise, lacked a certain trayf allure. The revised edition of the book—even the original—is a fantastic resource for educating young women (and very sophisticated girls) about their physicality. But as an erotic reference for adults in 2008 it’s a little vegan.
Oh, fuck you!
OK, I see your point, but the reason vegans are seen in popular culture as pale pleasure-deniers is because popular culture is reductionist and idiotic, not because it’s a true stereotype. And while I find the Moosewood Cookbook adorable, no sane vegan (or, person) cooks from it.
The point is: this just has to stop. Well-meaning liberal people making jokes out of being vegan WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. I just hate this shit. To make fun of someone’s choice to decrease violence and unnecessary death in the world, Ms. Levy, is not funny. Not fucking funny at all. I’m taking Female Chauvinist Pigs off my “to read” Powells wishlist—which it seriously was on!
Let’s play a little substitution game that will point out how idiotic this faux-snarky little crap zinger is. If you wouldn’t say these things, you shouldn’t talk shit about being vegan.
But as an erotic reference for adults in 2008 it’s a little anti-rape.
But as an erotic reference for adults in 2008 it’s a little pro-human rights.
But as an erotic reference for adults in 2008 it’s a little against child pornography.
But as an erotic reference for adults in 2008 it’s a little pro-gay marriage.
But as an erotic reference for adults in 2008 it’s a little feminist.
But as an erotic reference for adults in 2008 it’s a little Democratic.
But as an erotic reference for adults in 2008 it’s a little anti-racist.
But as an erotic reference for adults in 2008 it’s a little multi-cultural.
You see? You’re trying to be funny, but you’re being REALLY OFFENSIVE.
STOP IT.
17 Responses to “Ariel Levy fucks over vegans whilst discussing fucking generally”
[...] Original post: Ariel Levy fucks over vegans whilst discussing fucking generallyJanuary 28, 2009 [...]
A-men.
Shameful self-disclosure: I cook out of Moosewood on the occasion because, for unknown reasons, I really like the hippie vegan food of the 1970′s. I mean, it’s not an every day habit or anything, and I am not proud of it, but I do occasionally indulge. I just add more salt and more garlic to everything.
Awww! It’s a cute affectation, actually. My mom uses it too…but I wouldn’t say she is exactly “sane.”
i didn’t believe the title of your post could possibly be correct. and then, those (candy striped?) beets were the only thing that could possibly calm my fury over such idiocy from a previously-respectable/-lovely feminist. soooo beautifulllll. well placed.
wow she’s a dumb bitch. i’ll punch her in the clavicle.
Vegan comparisons like that upset me, but phrases like “dumb bitch” even moreso…although I have probably used them at low points.
really? when i use them it’s generally a high point.
ha! I love you all and your varied feminisms!!
and be(the)cause–I’m glad you liked the beet picture, I so love those candy-striped beets. That’s actually part of a promo picture for my beet and apple chocolates– I’m glad the picture looks good even with the chocolates cropped out!
Nice post! Keep it real.I have looked over your blog a few times and I love it.
[...] and “hierarchical” all over the place in this podcast, and just like she don’t know no nothin’ ’bout vegans, I don’t think she’s right. The article she discusses though (the lesbian separatist [...]
The outrage in this post feels forced.
Uh, OK. Thanks for your trenchant insight.
I wouldn’t say I was outraged exactly, just super annoyed.
[...] discussed in an intelligent fashion by an actual woman? By the lovely Ariel Levy? (OK, yeah, I got mad at her once, but I’m over it.) My heart flutters. First of all, I’d like you to know that I [...]
So disappointing :S Well, the book’s off my shelf, too!
Thanks for the heads-up!
@Erin: I wish your comment was forced. What a condescending thing to say.
@brittany: I agree with Ruby; “bitch”, leave alone “dumb bitch” is such a damaging, un-feminist thing to say. Let’s get past the conditioning and leave sexist phrases like that behind, please.
These comments were made in 2009, so mine aren’t going be read by the people who made them, but I felt that I should say something.
Thanks for your thoughts. Brittany is really bad with stuff like that, I gotta admit.
I’m no longer mad at Ariel Levy. A zillion amazing New Yorker articles have vindicated her!
But you’re free to be, of course.
I never got a notification of your reply! Anyways, good to hear her new articles have vindicated her! So is she more vegan-positive now?