Fifty Shades of Nope

*Graphic Language Warning* *Trigger Warning *

In the past I’ve mentioned how much I detest the “Fifty Shades of Grey” books. They are horribly written and glorify rape, yet MILLIONS of copies were sold. This sickens me to my core as an author, as a woman, and as a human being.

This weekend, the movie comes out. Now not only are people going to be reading this shit (excuse my French) but they will be watching it. The amount of money that this whole franchise will make is completely deplorable and anyone who contributes to it is part of the problem. This may sound harsh but this is something I strongly believe in.

There is nothing wrong with erotica. This is not erotica. This is a poorly written advancement of rape culture that was based on a Twilight Fan Fiction. Don’t believe me? Check out some passages below and tell me what you think:

“I want him to stay because he wants to stay with me, not because I’m a blubbering mess, and I don’t want him to beat me, is that so unreasonable?” (286)

“This is so…I want to think wrong, but somehow it’s not. It’s right for Christian. It’s what he wants—and after the last few days…after all he’s done, I have to man up and take whatever he decides he wants, whatever he thinks he needs.” (484)

“…I allow myself to fantasize that he loves me…I’m careful not to touch his chest but just snuggle in his arms…” (356)

“I will spank you each time you do it, do you understand?”…he hits me—hard. Ow! My eyes spring open in response to the pain and I try to rise, but his hand moves between my shoulder blades, keeping me down. He caresses me again where he’s hit me, and his breathing’s changed—it’s louder, harsher. He hits me again and again, quickly in succession. Holy f*ck it hurts. I try to make no sound, my face screwed up against the pain. I try to wriggle away from the blows—spurred on by adrenaline spiking and coursing through my body.” (274)

And lastly…

“Stalker, my subconscious whispers at me through the cloud of tequila that’s still floating in my brain, but somehow, because it’s him, I don’t mind.” (62)

The entire franchise gives the BDSM community a bad name. There is nothing wrong with BDSM. This is not BDSM. BDSM is done between two consenting adults and all proper precautions are taken during the sex acts. This is not the case in the Fifty Shades of Grey series.

Beyond that, why would anyone think that this series even remotely resembles literature? Below are some actual “racy” passages from the first novel:

"I can almost hear his sphinx-like smile through the phone."

"My very small inner goddess sways in a gentle victorious samba."

"I had no idea giving pleasure could be such a turn-on, watching him writhe subtly with carnal longing. My inner goddess is doing the merengue with some salsa moves."

"Hmmm… he's soft and hard at once, like steel encased in velvet, and surprisingly tasty."

"He smiles, then strides with renewed purpose out of the store, slinging the plastic bag over his shoulder, leaving me a quivering mass of raging female hormones."

So why is it that women (and some men) everywhere are eating this up? It is beyond me how anyone could find this arousing unless they themselves are turned on by abuse. As a society we need to point these things out, take a stand, and refuse to let this “popular culture” become even more popular.

References:

- Fifty Shades of Grey by: EL James (Unfortunately)
- '50 Shades of Grey': 23 funniest quotes from EL James's novel by Emma Dibdin
http://www.digitalspy.com/movies/at-the-movies/a512275/50-shades-of-grey-23-funniest-quotes-from-el-jamess-novel.html#~p3V1vJ9LLRo6OX