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Thankfully, I haven’t yet seen a TV commercial for Reebok’s new EasyTone shoe.  But Sophia Lear brings me up to date here:

It took being assaulted by this ad a few times to pinpoint what makes it so horrifying. The message of the ad seems to be: what women really want is to have a butt so cute that they will be objectified like the woman in the ad.

It took a few viewings to figure this out?  Here’s the very first line of the ad:

Reebok EasyTone shoes not only look fantastic, they’ll help make your legs and butt look great too.

Emphasis very decidedly in the original, accompanied by the camera zooming in for a tight closeup on the woman’s butt.  This is not a subtle sales pitch.  You can see for yourself at the link.

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We don't answer to billionaires. We answer to you.

You've watched it happen in real time: corporate media cutting staff, killing stories, and bending to power. The giants of American media have owners to protect, and the truth pays the price.

None of it should surprise us. The problem with American journalism has always been that we entrusted this vital public service to for-profit companies whose allegiance could shift with the political winds and the bottom line.

That is why Mother Jones is independent from billionaires, corporations, and any other deep-pockets owner—and has been since we were founded 50 years ago. We’re only answering to our readers. To you.

We’re funded by our readers too. This week, we have a generous $50,000 match for all donations, meaning that your donation—and your impact—will be doubled. Gifts from readers like you help keep us fiercely independent and telling the truth about those in power.

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