Here's the live feed of the conference. -Naomi
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Racism and sexism in the 2008 election
I'm here at the Women, Action and the Media conference in Boston, where a panel on feminist blogging and the 2008 election just finished up. Jennifer Pozner, a journalist and media critic at Women in Media and News mediated a discussion that delved into the heated back-and-forth between the mainstream media and the blogosphere during and after the 2008 primaries. She was joined by Veronica Arreola, another activist writer, and also by a blogger who goes by the psuedonym Cynematic.
Though the Democratic primary wrapped up nearly nine months ago, it was clear from the discussion that feminists and others are still trying to process the fallout from the aptly-termed "Oppression Olympics," in which media pundits argued about what's worse: sexism (against Hillary Clinton) or racism (against Barack Obama).
"The election year was this incredible opportunity and it was exciting. But it also was divisive and troubling and painful becuse of the failures of intersectionality," said Pozner, adding that the mainstream media ultimately "decided" that sexism must be worse, as evidenced by the controversial New York Times op-ed by Gloria Steinem, who claimed that if Obama was a woman, he would have never progressed so far.
Feminist blogs ran to Clinton's defense. But, after Obama clinched the nomination, these same blogs were conspicuosly quiet when it came to media criticism of Michelle Obama, who was oft-portrayed as a stereotyped angry black woman.
"Women of color were waiting for equal outcry about the portrayal of Michelle Obama," said Cynematic. "When I see an imbalance like that it is distressing because when we say "woman," it must only mean "white woman." Look at the tremendous energy to circle the wagons for Hillary Clinton. A similar thing did not happen with a woman of color. I suspect that is part of the pain."
Now that the Obamas have moved into the White House, Pozner said, Michelle Obama is no longer seen as an angry black woman, but as a hip fashion icon.
"Somehow, it went back to 'she's just a girl.'" Which, in the long run, is a skewed media image as well. -Naomi
Though the Democratic primary wrapped up nearly nine months ago, it was clear from the discussion that feminists and others are still trying to process the fallout from the aptly-termed "Oppression Olympics," in which media pundits argued about what's worse: sexism (against Hillary Clinton) or racism (against Barack Obama).
"The election year was this incredible opportunity and it was exciting. But it also was divisive and troubling and painful becuse of the failures of intersectionality," said Pozner, adding that the mainstream media ultimately "decided" that sexism must be worse, as evidenced by the controversial New York Times op-ed by Gloria Steinem, who claimed that if Obama was a woman, he would have never progressed so far.
Feminist blogs ran to Clinton's defense. But, after Obama clinched the nomination, these same blogs were conspicuosly quiet when it came to media criticism of Michelle Obama, who was oft-portrayed as a stereotyped angry black woman.
"Women of color were waiting for equal outcry about the portrayal of Michelle Obama," said Cynematic. "When I see an imbalance like that it is distressing because when we say "woman," it must only mean "white woman." Look at the tremendous energy to circle the wagons for Hillary Clinton. A similar thing did not happen with a woman of color. I suspect that is part of the pain."
Now that the Obamas have moved into the White House, Pozner said, Michelle Obama is no longer seen as an angry black woman, but as a hip fashion icon.
"Somehow, it went back to 'she's just a girl.'" Which, in the long run, is a skewed media image as well. -Naomi
Women in media: the numbers
Cynthia Lopez, vice president for American Documentary with Public Broadcasting Service's POV program, just gave the keynote address at the Women, Action and the Media conference in Boston, from which I'm blogging live. In addition to explaining the way documentary film can be used as an activist tool (by showing it to members of Congress and the media, etc.), Lopez reported some startling numbers when it comes to female representation in media work. To wit:
Women comprise just 37.6 percent of the staff in newsrooms and minority women comprise a slim 14 percent.
Women make up only 25 percent of hosts in morning television news shows.
And in radio, women make up 22 percent of the staff.
While the numbers are dismal, there's still hope. Women head five of the major public media outlets, including National Public Radio and Public Broadcasting Service. -Naomi
Women comprise just 37.6 percent of the staff in newsrooms and minority women comprise a slim 14 percent.
Women make up only 25 percent of hosts in morning television news shows.
And in radio, women make up 22 percent of the staff.
While the numbers are dismal, there's still hope. Women head five of the major public media outlets, including National Public Radio and Public Broadcasting Service. -Naomi
Friday, March 27, 2009
Women, Action and the Media conference
This evening marks the start of the annual Women, Action and the Media conference in Boston, a weekend-long discussion on both women- and queer-owned media and the way women are queers are portrayed in the mainstream press. After a semi-harrowing experience leaving Denver just after the worst snowstorm of the year, I will be arriving at the conference first thing tomorrow morning, joining representatives of feminist big wig publications like Bitch magazine and Feministing as well as hundreds of little bloggers like myself. I'll be liveblogging some of the event, which includes sessions on the implications of feminist social media and coverage of female political candidates, so make sure to check back at our site often over the next two days. (Current TV's Sarah Haskins will be giving an address too! Check out the full schedule here.) A big shout-out the Center for New Words, the sponsoring organization, which is dedicated to strengthening "the voice of progressive and marginalized women in society" and which gave me a sweet scholarship to the WAM conference. The Center also generously included a link to The Lady Finger on the WAM homepage. And lastly, an equally large shout-out to Sara, my co-editor, for her phenomenal blogging, her support and her ride to the airport today. She will be WAMing in spirit! -Naomi
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
A Musgrave mistake
Colorado's erstwhile Republican Congresswoman, Marilyn Musgrave, has a new national gig after her loss to Democrat Besty Markey in November. Starting this month, Musgrave will be working for the Susan B. Anthony List, an organization aimed at electing anti-choice women to federal office. Long known for imbibing on the haterade, Musgrave's new job follows her previous efforts to ban embryonic stem cell research and gay marriage. Ever the curmudgeon, Musgrave will help the Susan B. Anthony List in its new project to influence elections where the abortion issue is at stake.
"Votes do have consequence and this project is going to make sure we are not always on the defensive. We're going into districts where individuals are vulnerable and we're just going to make sure people know how these individuals have voted and what their record is," Musgrave said in an interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network, according to an article in The Coloradoan. "We're going to be assertive. We're going to be aggressive and this is a new day in politics for the pro-life movement."
A new day in politics for the pro-life movement? Not in Musgrave's home state. Colorado Governor Bill Ritter was just handed a bill to protect birth control access from attacks like last year's failed Amendment 48, which sought to define an egg as a person. -Naomi
"Votes do have consequence and this project is going to make sure we are not always on the defensive. We're going into districts where individuals are vulnerable and we're just going to make sure people know how these individuals have voted and what their record is," Musgrave said in an interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network, according to an article in The Coloradoan. "We're going to be assertive. We're going to be aggressive and this is a new day in politics for the pro-life movement."
A new day in politics for the pro-life movement? Not in Musgrave's home state. Colorado Governor Bill Ritter was just handed a bill to protect birth control access from attacks like last year's failed Amendment 48, which sought to define an egg as a person. -Naomi
Monday, March 23, 2009
Pope condemns sexual violence...and safe sex
During Pope Benedict XVI's African tour last week, he took a moment in Angola to criticize the "irony of those who promote abortion as a form of 'maternal' health care," and added, "How disconcerting the claim that the termination of life is a matter of reproductive health."
Coupled with a powerful message condemning violence against women, it's hard to unilaterally oppose the Pope's message regarding sexual relationships. But to visit a continent struggling with AIDS and tout sexlessness as the only option is destructive, and denies reality.
One 25-year-old student who went to hear the Pope said that "I know I am a sinner. I fight to abstain from sex. I think condoms are not the good way for us. Though they may be useful, they are not the right choice for Catholics, so I need his blessing." To rely on a blessing is perfectly admirable and acceptable, but to ignore real and safe and empowering options for men and women is simply ignorant. -Sara
Coupled with a powerful message condemning violence against women, it's hard to unilaterally oppose the Pope's message regarding sexual relationships. But to visit a continent struggling with AIDS and tout sexlessness as the only option is destructive, and denies reality.
One 25-year-old student who went to hear the Pope said that "I know I am a sinner. I fight to abstain from sex. I think condoms are not the good way for us. Though they may be useful, they are not the right choice for Catholics, so I need his blessing." To rely on a blessing is perfectly admirable and acceptable, but to ignore real and safe and empowering options for men and women is simply ignorant. -Sara
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