Sally Spitfire - victorious!

I just got back from my first Pillow Fight League showdown.

I’m not really sure what to think.

The Pillow Fight League is exactly what it sounds like. A group of women who wrassle with pillows and try to pin/subdue their opponent on the mat. It is a spectator sport. A popular one, at that. And while it’s a far cry from a bikinis-and-hot-oil event (the girls are fully clothed and are realistically attractive), there’s still something about it that makes me kind of uncomfortable.

I do not like violence. I do not like the objectification of women. I do not like the Pillow Fight League…in principle!

In practise, it’s less black and white. The violence is fairly minimal and isn’t much different from any other sparring sport. And the women aren’t really objectified. If anything, their performances (each of the girls create a character and fight under a clever pseudonym) are empowering and playful. There is creative expression at work here. There are feats of strength and amazing endurance. And there is the all-important channelling of stress and aggression. Plus, the fighters are obviously enjoying themselves or they wouldn’t be a part of the league. No one is being exploited.

And yet…it doesn’t really sit right with me. I only saw little bits of the show, as I was working the door as a favour for some friends who are involved with the PFL. What I saw was alternately breathtaking and cringe-y. It was amazing to see strong, unique women lay the smack down and express themselves creatively. But I hated the fact that several men were leering and making comments based on the fighters’ appearance (positive and negative) and urging them to make out, etc.

To these audience members, this was just a cock fight.

Except with pussy.

Having said this, how to defend my Parkdale Pin-up shots if cast in the same light? Sure, they made me feel great and I enjoyed posing for them. I am of the opinion that they are thoroughly awesome and even kind of funny. But who’s to say some anonymous men aren’t using them in a way that I perhaps wouldn’t appreciate?

Does this thought bother me? Kind of, yeah.

Does the thought of men not appreciating the humour and effort that goes into the PFL and attending only for the sake of titillation bother the boyfriends of the pillowfighters? The mothers/fathers of the pillowfighters? The pillowfighters themselves?

I think I will ask one.