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MadrasT

(7,237 posts)
Wed Jun 13, 2012, 10:34 AM Jun 2012

"Name It. Change It. Sexism and Equality don't mix."

Just discovered this: http://www.nameitchangeit.org/

Name It. Change It. is a non-partisan project of WCF Foundation, Women’s Media Center, and Political Parity.

Together, we will work to end sexist and misogynistic coverage of women candidates by all members of the press—from bloggers to radio hosts to television pundits.

Why?

Widespread sexism in the media is one of the top problems facing women. A highly toxic media environment persists for women candidates, often negatively affecting their campaigns. The ever-changing media landscape creates an unmonitored echo chamber, often allowing damaging comments to exist without accountability.

We must erase the pervasiveness of sexism against all women candidates — irrespective of political party or level of office — across all media platforms in order to position women to achieve equality in public office. We will not stand by as pundits, radio hosts, bloggers, and journalists damage women's political futures with misogynistic remarks. When you attack one woman, you attack all women.

The Reversibility Test

“The most workable definition of equality for journalists is reversibility. Don't mention her young children unless you would also mention his, or describe her clothes unless you would describe his, or say she's shrill or attractive unless the same adjectives would be applied to a man. Don't say she's had facial surgery unless you say he dyes his hair or has hair plugs. Don't say she's just out of graduate school but he's a rising star. Don't say she has no professional training but he worked his way up. Don't ask her if she's running as a women's candidate unless you ask him if he's running as a men's candidate; ask both about the gender gap, the women's vote. By extension, don't say someone is a Muslim unless you also identify Christians and Jews, or identify only some people by race, ethnicity or sexuality and not others. However, this does NOT mean being even-handedly positive or negative when only one person or side has done something positive or negative. Equality allows accuracy.”

-- Statement by Women's Media Center Co-Founder Gloria Steinem at Launch of Name It. Change It., August 31, 2010


"When you attack one woman, you attack all women."
18 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
 

seabeyond

(110,159 posts)
1. Widespread sexism in the media is one of the top problems facing women
Wed Jun 13, 2012, 10:41 AM
Jun 2012

"When you attack one woman, you attack all women."

i really love this woman. Gloria Steinem

so yes, du, when you choose to call a repug woman a b or a c, i will say something.

"Don't mention her young children unless you would also mention his, or describe her clothes unless you would describe his, or say she's shrill or attractive unless the same adjectives would be applied to a man. Don't say she's had facial surgery unless you say he dyes his hair or has hair plugs. Don't say she's just out of graduate school but he's a rising star. Don't say she has no professional training but he worked his way up. Don't ask her if she's running as a women's candidate unless you ask him if he's running as a men's candidate; ask both about the gender gap, the women's vote. "

this is excellent. i was think about this yesterday. with all women have accomplished, and all the education and empowerment and success, i dont know why organized women are not seeing, heard, speaking out more.

but, then, i look at the date and i wonder what happened to the words for the last two years.

DURHAM D

(32,610 posts)
2. We have a problem right here on DU.
Wed Jun 13, 2012, 11:09 AM
Jun 2012
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014142237

Zimmerman's wife was arrested and several of the guys have a field day commenting on her appearance; acting as if that is why she lied to the court.
 

seabeyond

(110,159 posts)
4. lol... i am staying out of these threads
Wed Jun 13, 2012, 11:15 AM
Jun 2012

and i have just been thrown into two, hearing the stupid.

ah well.

thanks durham. that is about it in an example. a lot of stupid

yardwork

(61,666 posts)
6. We have problems with sexism all over DU, and all over the country and world.
Wed Jun 13, 2012, 11:23 AM
Jun 2012

Sexism is alive and well in the LGBT community, both on DU and in the larger world. Sexism is one of the more obvious manifestations of male privilege stemming from patriarchy. Another obvious manifestation is the persistent income gap between women and men, even when factors such as experience, education, and time out of the workplace are controlled in the studies.

Sexism and patriarchy - we got it.

DURHAM D

(32,610 posts)
9. All true yardwork
Wed Jun 13, 2012, 11:39 AM
Jun 2012

but I am always shocked when it is allowed to run free on DU. I really thought we had some chance of standing our ground in LGBT but with the host structure/selection process that wasn't going to happen.

redqueen

(115,103 posts)
3. It also makes me want to scream that sexism is treated as more acceptable than racism.
Wed Jun 13, 2012, 11:12 AM
Jun 2012

It is so thoroughly disappointing that this shit still has to be explained.

I would say 'especially on DU' but I've stopped pretending this is anything but a brogressive board.

redqueen

(115,103 posts)
8. We feminists were forced to come up with a term which describes someone
Wed Jun 13, 2012, 11:37 AM
Jun 2012

who believes in all progressive values save one.

DURHAM D

(32,610 posts)
10. Good term
Wed Jun 13, 2012, 11:48 AM
Jun 2012

But I would argue that if they are blind in this one area they are not progressive at all and are just trying to appear PC versus actually being correct.

Still, I like and will use brogressive.

 

seabeyond

(110,159 posts)
12. yes. i remember that and the big uproar on du for us to lighten up, francis.
Wed Jun 13, 2012, 12:27 PM
Jun 2012

ah, and the forever stupid question. are you saying men cant appreciate a womans beauty. fuck that old and tired shit.

redqueen

(115,103 posts)
14. I think I was taking a break from here at that time.
Wed Jun 13, 2012, 12:32 PM
Jun 2012

Ugh, I don't even want to think about how that went. I hope more than a tiny minority of feminists spoke the fuck up.

 

seabeyond

(110,159 posts)
15. you had the same men in their defending the mans right to pornify women without consent
Wed Jun 13, 2012, 12:36 PM
Jun 2012

and there were a lot of people that cried foul

DURHAM D

(32,610 posts)
16. This is OT but
Wed Jun 13, 2012, 12:49 PM
Jun 2012

did you notice that this poster was PPRed after more than 9 years?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=profile&uid=115240

Her post in META - http://www.democraticunderground.com/1240108095

I noticed you were in that thread and given it is sometimes easy to miss delayed PPRs I thought you might be interested.

For the record - she claims to be a mother and a lesbian but I don't believe he is either.

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