Thursday, June 05, 2008

And don't call me "baby..."

We've come a long way, but we're still portrayed in the media as "bitches," "nags," "whores," "ball-breakers," a pair of tits, brainless, and "wicked witches." The United States trails well behind the rest of the world when it comes to gender parity in politics (we rank 68th) and in the workplace (2007 Dept. of Labor stats say we earn 80.4 cents for every dollar our male counterparts earn). Current election aside, isn't this something we should - women and men - be taking issue with?


A friend sent me this video by the Women's Media Center this morning. I personally do not need another reason to dislike Chris Matthews, Michelle Malkin, Tucker Carlson, Bill O'Reilly, and the slew of others who seem to enjoy demeaning women on a split screen. But if you do, this video will get you there.

"Any woman who chooses to behave like a full human being should be warned that the armies of the status quo will treat her as something of a dirty joke. That's their natural and first weapon. She will need her sisterhood."
~Gloria Steinem

Clearly, all things are not equal. Until we start working together, speaking up, talking about the obstacles for female candidates, talking about how women are portrayed in the media, writing letters to "news" channels that claim to be unbiased, women will continue to be marginalized. What you can do: Sign the petition at the Womens Media Center. Start a dialogue (the same friend who sent me the video is having a "She Devils" party for Hillary supporters later this month). Run for office. Support other women when they run for office. Find your voice and speak up.

7 comments:

  1. Wow, I can't believe those comments are acceptable. As someone who's worked in the media for 13 years, it's such a disgrace to see the good ole boy network is still in full force. Heaven forbid a woman be intelligent and speak her mind!

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  2. Amen, sister! I've been blogging, talking, emailing, and linking about this. It's shocking, appalling, and depressing.

    I love the she-devil idea!!

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  3. I get so mad every time I watch this!

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  4. Actually, I can beat these comments with one that struck me completely and utterly dumb when I read it. It's from noted turd and alleged preacher Marion Gordon "Pat" Robertson.

    "Feminism encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism, and become lesbians."

    Wow.

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  5. Yes - the oh-so-quotable crazy-as-a-shithouse-rat Pat Robertson. My favorite of his is: "I know this is painful for the ladies to hear, but if you get married, you have accepted the headship of a man, your husband. Christ is the head of the household and the husband is the head of the wife, and that's the way it is, period." (Pat Robertson, "The 700 Club," 1/8/92). If it wasn't a television clip, I'd think it was from 1892.

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  6. it's quite the kick in the ass, isn't it?


    when I was an engineer at Boeing, there were a LARGE number of coworkers who insinuated I was where I was as a result of having sex with influential people.

    To date, the most and only influential person I have ever slept with is my husband; he encouraged me to leave a job where I was not appreciated.

    The other most influential people in my life have been my parents; they raised me to believe that the shape of my body does not, nor should EVER dictate my capabilities.


    now pardon me, I must go back to teaching my children the same.. you know.. when I'm not killing them and making out with my witchy girlfriends.

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  7. I wish you lived in Charleston. I'd be extending some proxy invites to that she devil party I mentioned...it's going to be a blast! Chris Matthews might even show up.

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