My inspiration to write about this, rather than just think this, stems originally from watching the fourth episode of BoJack Horseman season 5. Yes I like the silly horse show, sue me. Only after having talked it through with a friend of mine did I decide to actually put it into words. But the episode was, if not eye opening, at least eye reminding.

In the episode, we see the writer of BoJack’s TV show, Philbert, seek a costar for our titular horse, and settle on a member of Hollywoo who has, on varying occasions, choked his wife, called his daughter a slut, sexted a 12 year old, and if I remember correctly punched a prostitute. In other words, unfortunately not far from your average Hollywoo leading man. And yet, two recurring female characters (PC and Ana) root for him, try to get him redeemed in the court of public opinion.

In a previous episode from season 2, a late night TV show host by the name of Hank Hippopopalous is accused of sexual harassment. More specifically, he is called out on this by Diane, who received some rather interesting backlash for this; from Wanda, who is trying to keep the television network afloat, and from Mr Peanutbutter (Diane’s fiancé), who is a star on said network. Later on in the episode, Hank informs Diane that in a day’s time the media will have moved on, regardless of what Diane says about Hank and regardless of the truth of her statements.

In both of these episodes, we see women and otherwise (at least relatively speaking) feminist characters capitulating, “surrendering” their feminist ideals. What could possibly drive them to do so?

It’s capitalism. It’s my writing, so you already know the answer is always capitalism.

Now, the events of these episodes are very real. That is one thing that adds to the “piercing” nature of the show, the fact that much of it is realistic and, in some cases, relatable. Statistically speaking, most women are at the very least sexually harassed at some point in their life. Statistics aside, just talking to a woman will reveal this to be true. Scaling up to assault and flat out rape, the statistics don’t drop too much lower, with these again being common experiences for women. That is realistic about these episodes. The men involved in these incidents often go unpunished. That, too, is realistic.

Women are oftentimes the defenders of these men. That, as well as the way women’s voices are ignored on these issues, is again realistic.

Why would a woman throw another woman under the bus, or stand by as another woman is thrown under the bus, over an issue she has most likely faced herself?

Because there are no wins for women in society. They simply do not exist, just as they do not truly exist for other underprivileged/oppressed/minority/all of the above groups. Any “win” simply profits the people already in power.

The conversation which sparked this text was specifically regarding the porn industry, and female liberation within that context. What my friend and I agreed on was, essentially, the thesis of this essay: that there is no liberation for women within capitalism.

There has, for some time now, been an ongoing debate regarding pornography. Some say that women are exploited by the industry for profit, others say that women are able to achieve social and financial liberation by earning money for themselves, and exploring their sexuality. A dichotomy is presented with this argument: either women are openly sexual, or they are not.

If a woman is not openly sexual, she conforms to societal pressures to be “modest”. Frequently these pressures stem from “traditional” views on women’s roles in society. A woman is meant to be docile and obedient, and therefore cannot portray herself as sexual without breaking from that role. So, then, surely sexuality releases her from these chains? If she becomes an overtly sexual being, or at the very least is not discreet about her sexuality, she no longer conforms to these societal pressures, right?

If a woman is sexual, she becomes the embodiment of patriarchal desires. She becomes living proof of the view that women exist as servile in a sexual manner. She becomes little more than a sexual object, whether she is simply a woman living her life or if she is a porn star; the industry profits regardless, it is merely the industry that changes. Yes, madame, this is the perfume of the true, sexual woman you are! Buy our new heels, become the goddess of lust you are born to be! Because birth has placed you here, it is your destiny, so say the patriarchs and so sing their wallets. Money talks, and it talks very loudly.

Ah! But if she is not sexual with men, surely the patriarchy does not benefit? The sexualisation of lesbians by straight men is simply another example of how the industry always profits. You can make no choice that does not appeal in some way to the patriarchy and which does not profit someone, and the people who profit most are already in power. They are the patriarchs. They rule, and their rule knows no bounds.

So exist as asexual, but in defiance of men! You are a woman, and proud, and your sexuality is not theirs to behold, and you are heard to roar! They sell it to you still. They tell you that your way to this defiant being of feminine power is independence. And how to be independent? Get a job, of course. Get your own car, your own house. Buy buy buy. Always the answer lies in your ability to consume.

And if you don’t consume, if you don’t get a job? You either suffer, are entirely dependent on another, or both.

What choice is there? Mulligan, as always, speaks truth: You can choose to go left or right, but the roads were made a long time ago. You always profit the system, and the system is your enemy. The system empowers the patriarchs, the chauvinists, the bastards.

Let’s return to sexual assault, and harassment. Why would a woman betray another woman in this way? Ana and PC do so because otherwise they will lose financially. They will lose money and prestige in their industry. Diane is told off by Wanda and Mr Peanutbutter for the same reason. Everyone has their price, and the system owns all the coin.

If a woman stands up against sexual harassment, she alienates herself, one way or another. Either she wins, and is feared by the men in power, or she loses, and is cast out as a liar (oh those women and their fits of hysteria, they’ll say anything these days!). And even the baddest bitches need to eat. So they keep quiet, and put up with it, because to do otherwise is to suffer.

And their silence permits these acts, and so even inaction still benefits the industry and those at the top. It always circulates back to the economics of it all, and the chokehold it has on the social aspects.

The house always wins. The house keeps you tied up, whether you know it or not. You cannot liberate yourself socially without being economically liberated, and there is no economic liberty under capitalism.

You are a woman. Or perhaps not, how would I know? But regardless of who you are, the house has you gagged and chained. You cannot walk free so long as the house stands.

Burn it to the fucking ground.