Made by Whistling Woods International, the 90-second ad shows men leering at the sight of a beautiful woman.
The video’s description speaks of “Women Empowerment” and about the need to “eradicate gender inequality”. Evidently, one must be careful in using such terms as they come with ideologies included. I would rather speak of reverence and respect for the dignity and beauty of women.
Called Dekh Le (meaning “look” or “see’ in Hindi), the video attempts to show how absurd the men look from the perspective of women who simply wish to be left alone.” According to Buzzfeed, the video features song lyrics in the background, which translates into “Look how you look when you’re looking at me.
One could easily speak of the importance of dressing modestly as well. However, the idea is clear enough, the sensual glance is not acceptable. It’s bad for the soul and you look like an idiot when you are doing it. Many rebut that attraction is natural and these types of glances are as well. I would argue that attraction is natural, but reacting correctly to that attraction (aka respecting the dignity of the persona and not reducing them to some sort of eye candy) is human.
The hungry glare, launched with the sole intention of filling a need, lingering on it, occupying a void, is a blinding one. Egoism blinds us. Before lay a reality rich in dignity, in beauty, in diversity, in autonomy that we scramble to devour. But, like a stalactite, once touched, it is becomes sterile, so too egoism is sterilizing. We close ourselves off to the reality of the other person and isolate ourselves in our own poverty.
The look of purity, while perhaps being less immediately gratifying, is the only path towards an authentic and fulfilling encounter with the other, one in which he or she is respected for who they are, allowing us to witness and to participate in the richness of their person.
As with many things, we must remember that to fall into such temptations is to refuse our heart its most authentic and fundamental desires. It is to ask for too little, it is to settle with trash when we were made for treasures.
“But I say unto you, that everyone who looks upon a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Mt 5:28).
“The light of thy body is thy eye. If thy eye be single, thy whole body shall be lightsome. But if thy eye be evil thy whole body shall be darksome. If then the light that is in thee, be darkness: the darkness itself how great shall it be! “(Matthew 6:23-24)
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