 "Photo: N/A")
In recent months, a new and seemingly innocent game has swept across the K-State campus. I'm talking, of course, about the Ugg game. When taken at face value, the game seems harmless. However, beneath its surface lies a darker side to the Ugg game, one that, until now, has gone unnoticed. The Ugg game perpetuates one of the most dangerous psychological phenomena in 21st-century America.
What could possibly be dangerous about an activity as harmless as boots? The answer is simple: The Ugg game works to continue the objectification of American women.
According to the Rappahannock Council Against Sexual Assault, objectification of women is defined as when "a woman is being perceived not in terms of her own individuality but in a way that dehumanizes her. It takes away her identity along with her agency and depersonalizes her to being simply a body, or even parts of her body." The Web site goes on to explain that comments on a woman's clothing can be considered objectifying.
The Ugg game by its very nature requires players to treat women as objects. One cannot simultaneously count boots and North Faces and also view each woman wearing them as a complete and complex human being. The women who are counted must be viewed as little more than a body and a pair of rather unattractive boots.
The fact that the Ugg game treats women as faceless objects without identities might initially seem to be little cause for concern. However, the effects of treating women in such a mentality can be detrimental.
While the Ugg game might not sexualize women, the effect is only slightly less alarming. It is the treatment of women in such a dehumanized manner that can lead men to see women as nothing more than "a notch on their belts." By playing the game, people not only condone this type of mentality, but unknowingly increase their willingness to view women in this twisted manner in the future.
Those unconvinced the Ugg game is guilty of objectifying women, need only consider the fact that the game was constructed to target women.
As a society, Americans are accustomed to treating women as objects. It's done by the mainstream media, advertising and individuals on a daily basis. However, we are far less likely to treat men in a similar manner. Men are rarely viewed exclusively in terms of their bodies and appearances. A game treating men in such a manner would feel unnatural.
My opponent might be able to see the Ugg game as little more than lighthearted entertainment. I, however, cannot and will not condone activity that contributes to the objectification of women.
Only when we treat women as individuals, and acknowledge their intelligence and ideas before their appearances, will we find the true meaning of gender equality.
-Eli B Neal would like you to know that the views expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect his views. Please send comments to opinion@spub.ksu.edu.
is a member of the 
21 comments
I don't think that we can deny that Uggs are one of those fashions that many women wear simply to say "hey, I do have money." Of course most women would deny this because who wants to be called superficial and all about money, it is still how Uggs became popular.
The same goes for North Face, yes it may be warm but I'm pretty sure there are a lot of other jackets out there that are half as expensive and just as warm. No they don't have that three inch by three inch logo on them but I think you will survive.
Maybe the argument then is that "I just like spending more money on quality things." My reaction to that is...can't you spend the same amount of money on something that doesn't have some popular complex or famous logo. So it looks like there is an underlying reason for buying these overpriced name brand articles of clothing.
When I look around I see that today's socialized America is one that strives for conformity. It doesn't matter what McDonalds you go to they all have the same cheap, greezy food. And it doesn't matter what Wal-Mart you go to, they all have those low-prices that come at the cost of cheap labor in developing countries. It doesn't matter what campus you are on, they all come with a flock of conformists that want to feel like they fit in.
I'm not attacking these people. I believe that everyone has the right to conform or not conform. But it seems to me that some of these conformists have typical characteristics that cause me to stear clear of anyone wearing a North Face Jacket or a pair of Uggs.
I see many of these people sometimes being fake, narrow-minded, judgemental, and shallow. I think this occurs because of the reasons I already stated behind purchasing and wearing one of these articles of clothing. NO, not all Uggs-wearing people have all of these qualities. Not everyone has the same reasons for wearing these fashions. But it is a stereotype and many times stereotypes are based in fact and frequency. I know from personal experience that this stereotype describes most of the people that I observe wearing Uggs.
I don't agree with the Uggs game myself because I think it is giving attention to people that want it but don't deserve it (somewhat like the Phelps Family from Westboro Baptist Church). And maybe I need to be more open-minded myself of Uggs-wearers.
I will make it my new years resolution to really get to know someone that wears North Face and Uggs.
People just love to make fun of others.
A fashionable boot seems to be the easiest object to poke fun at.
Maybe people need to be more creative with humor.
This "game" is a painfully annoying cliche.
Boots are warm, everyone should get some.