Speechless
That was my reaction after viewing this horror show of clips of media commentators making less than respectful observations about female political figures, notably Nancy Pelosi, Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton. The Women’s Media Center has created this and many other works that will serve as a good re-energizer for those of us wearied by the under-representation and gratuitous bashing of women in positions of power, and a wakeup call for those who have yet to accept the necessity of feminism.
While I’m on the topic of women and politics, a plug for Equal Voice, a Canadian multi-partisan organization working to increase women’s participation in public life, seems apt. In my time as a citizen, feminist and media observer, I have come to the conclusion that we as women need to support our sisters on the public stage, regardless of political stripe (i.e. you don’t have to vote for or even agree with all their ideas, but please at least respect the crucial value of their participation, and for having the courage to step up to the plate.) Thanks ladies.
July 16th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
I got teary-eyed over this…yet I’m not surprised at all. I always point out sexist comments, remarks, stereotypes, whatever when I see it on TV to my (male) partner. He doesn’t always see it or he sometimes thinks I’m overreacting. I’ve sent him the link to this video and put it on my Facebook profile as well as a feminist group on there. Thank you for posting this, and I hope more people send it around.
July 16th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
oh god, this makes me physically sick. and people say we’ve come so far, *insert eye roll here*. thanks for posting this madeleine.
July 18th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
This is … I don’t even know how to qualify it, and yet it is unsurprising, unfortunately.
I don’t feel here in France media are so blatantly sexists.
But this video made me remember it exists.
Even if feminism might sometimes be extreme, I still feel it is necessary as long as we don’t find the balance.
We, both men and women, must be respected as equal individuals even if different.
August 7th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
It’s Fox and MSNBC, they are nothing more than gossip rags for ignorant Americans.
That being said though; I would not vote for Hilary Clinton, and would not support her on the basis that she is of the same sex as me.
Clinton does sound like a nagging wife,
and more so was never ready to lead the Democratic party.
Obama does represent change and I stand behind him 100%
September 17th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Thanks for contributing, Denise. While I respect your position that you would not support Clinton based solely on her sex, your comment about her sounding like a nagging housewife and not being ready to lead the Democratic party sound disturbingly similar to those of the media pundits in the video.