So it seems the internet is all abuzz from the Oscars last night, Tumblr especially. My corner of the site, thankfully, isn’t saying much at all about the opening number and I’m glad - but I still need to talk about it.

I’m not going to link to it, because it’s disgusting.

Seth MacFarlane sang a number called “Show Us Your Boobs” and proceeded to reel off a list of actresses who have unclothed for the camera. I don’t want to make a point about societal standards, going without a shirt and the Western notion of pornography here, that’s not why I’m writing this.

I’m writing this because two of those movies he threw in with topless female actresses are rape scenes.

The Accused Boys Dont Cry

The first film, the entire plot is about the legal trial of a gang rape. I could also put a commentary here about how rape is treated or failed in the US legal system but this isn’t the place, either.

The second film is about Brandon Teena. A trans man who was raped and murdered. Based on real life.

People on the internet are saying “it’s just a joke” and “it’s acting, it’s film, it’s satire” (please see the second film, and shut up.) and “c'mon, lighten up.” Some of these people are women - insert commentary about ingrained sexism here. A lot people don’t understand, apparently, that the act of rape is not about sex. It’s about power and degradation and a lot of times, the attacker is known. There a lot of statistics out there, go educate yourself.

In short, calling rape scenes a reason to “show us your boobs” misses the point entirely. It’s not a joking matter, not a frivolity to be taken lightly. A female actress’s nudity was not the point of either film.