Personal Digital Assistant? Parenteral Drug Association?
Uh, not quite.
Alright kids, it’s time to have “the talk”. You know, the talk that might even be more awkward than the mandatory birds and the bees talk following your first day home after Family Life in the fourth grade. We’re talking about the one thing guaranteed to separate people. The one surefire way to make at least one person in the room cringe:
PUBLIC DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION!
There is a very thin and ever-changing line between what’s acceptable and what isn’t. And being a feminist can further complicate this issue.
The way I see it is that one should always display one’s feelings. And especially as a lesbian, I often think the most effective form of activism is simply coming out. & let’s face it, holding hands on the quad says to everyone in sight line: “Oh hey. These people are dating. & Oh hey, their relationship looks a lot like mine.” So for that reason, I think PDA’s can have real-life, practical and sensible applications.
However, I have seen PDA get… a little too intense. Haven’t we all been eating at Bdubs on one night or another only to look to our lefts and see a couple ignoring their wings in favor of procreating. Honestly… get a room.
But from a feminist standpoint, what does seeing a couple say to you? Have you ever been at Dhall or Market One and watched some person get up from the table & smack their girlfriend swiftly in the ass? Now isn’t that a form of PDA? And as a feminist, shouldn’t we be inherently offended by that blatant butt smack? What, are we territory being claimed?
So what are your thoughts on this? PDA or No PDA? Why?
ShoutOut! James Madison University 