By Megan Seyler Never before have I come across such a sexist, vulgar, and tasteless news article than one published last month in Reading’s very own Reading Eagle. Lori Borgman, 61-year-old columnist and author, broadcasted her extremely misogynistic and controversial views on women wearing yoga pants in her article “Tight Pants Reveal More Than Others Want to Know.”
The article’s contents range from Borgman tastelessly ranting her uncredited opinions to plainly comparing women to pieces of meat, and everything in between. What makes the matter most appalling, however, is not the fact that a middle-aged woman feels so strongly about the fit of pants, but that her diary-like article is not even placed in the Opinion section of the paper. Rather, Borgman’s preaching sits happily in the Life section of the Reading Eagle, masking as fact to readers rather than what it clearly is: an appalling and misguided opinion. She goes on to tell women that “just because you can fit in it doesn’t mean it fits” and “don’t market it if you’re not selling it.”
The statements Borgman makes within her article are both saddening and infuriating to a proud feminist, as the article brings into question society’s true perception of women. Though in no way am I insinuating that a middle-aged Berks County columnist’s opinion reflects the viewpoint of society as a whole, there is no denying that many of Borgman’s claims are disconcertingly shared with misogynists everywhere. The idea that there are people in the world who truly believe that women displaying parts of their bodies parallels to women offering and “selling” said body parts is absolutely disgusting. This is how rape culture is contrived; it is why we hear “she was asking for it” and “did you see what she was wearing?” Women are not objects; their bodies are theirs alone, and if a woman feels confident in wearing tight pants, she should be able to proudly sport them without crude judgment and patronization. Who is Lori Borgman to say what women are and are not to put on their bodies? Who is anyone to pass judgment on what others wear and how they wear it? The issue circles back to equality, as it often does, in the sense that there should be no underlying conceptions or unwanted sexualization for anyone. In light of the article, Wilson’s Feminist Society spoke out. The club emailed Borgman with numerous questions regarding the controversial piece, including inquiries like “What inspired you to write about this?” and “What is your opinion on rape culture?” To find out Borgman’s answers, see page B1. It is disheartening that one cannot even wear yoga pants today without unnecessary sexualization, as Borgman clearly exhibited in her article. I almost feel pity for Borgman, who operates on the “I won’t show you mine if you don’t show me yours” philosophy. Yoga pants are and will continue to be a comfy go-to clothing option both for myself and women around the world, and if one feels uncomfortable with this, whose problem is it really, mine or theirs?
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Elena Caputo
Hi! My name is Elena, and I'm a senior at Wilson and one of the Editors of the Editorial section. If you have any questions or ideas or if you want to write, email me at [email protected]! Olivia MonosHello! My name is Olivia and I'm a junior this year, and one of the editors of the Editorial section! I'm really excited to write for the Paw Print again this year!
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