Misogyny and Sexism in the News

Kobi · 04-05-2013, 04:04 PM

President Obama has apologized to California Attorney General Kamala Harris for commenting Thursday on her looks, an aide said Friday.

"He called her (Thursday night) to apologize for the distraction created by his comments," said White House spokesman Jay Carney.

"They are old friends and good friends," Carney said."And he did not want in any way to diminish the attorney general's professional accomplishments and her capabilities."

During a fundraiser in California, Obama praised Harris' work and added that "she also happens to be, by far, the best-looking attorney general in the country." As the crowd reacted, the president said, "It's true! Come on!"

Some commentators criticized Obama for the crack, calling it sexist and demeaning.

Carney pointed out that Obama also described Harris as "brilliant, dedicated, and tough."

The president also "fully recognizes the challenge women continue to face in the workplace and that they should not be judged based on appearance," Carney said.

------------------------

Sigh.

Greyson · 04-08-2013, 10:13 AM

News coverage of female candidate’s appearance damages her chance of winning
Posted by Diana Reese on April 8, 2013 at 12:57 am

Even such a neutral description of a female candidate’s appearance can hurt her chances at getting elected, according to a study released today by Name It. Change It., a joint project of The Women’s Media Center and She Should Run.

News coverage that referred to a female candidate as “fit and attractive and looks even younger than her age,” even though it sounded complimentary, hurt the voters’ perceptions of the politician for being in touch and being likeable, confident, effective and qualified. Both negative and positive comments caused damage. The voters whose responses were affected the most by coverage of a candidate’s appearance were independents — and their support often determines the outcome of an election.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...ce-of-winning/

Kätzchen · 04-09-2013, 04:05 PM

"Allies who bristle at earnest criticism from the members of the community they desire to serve hurt us more than they help,"

-- Kimberly Foster (Founder & Editor of For Harriet)

Link: http://www.forharriet.com/2013/04/th...ed-allies.html

femmeInterrupted · 04-09-2013, 05:34 PM

1920s Anti-suffragette's postcard. "Peace at last"

femmeInterrupted · 04-09-2013, 05:38 PM

The Museum of Sexism. Fantastic posts showing the history of sexism against feminists/suffragettes.

femmeInterrupted · 04-09-2013, 05:44 PM

femmeInterrupted · 04-09-2013, 05:52 PM

http://gawker.com/5994168/nova-scoti...rape-bullying/

Nova Scotia Teen Commits Suicide After Rape, Bullying
Maggie Lange

Rehtaeh Parsons, a 17-year-old from Nova Scotia, died this past Sunday in a hospital, after attempting suicide on Thursday. Her mother stated that a rape in 2011 and subsequent bullying led to her daughter's suicide.

In 2011, Rehtaeh Parsons attended a party where she consumed enough vodka to not remember most of the evening. She recalls throwing up out of a window. Four boys then raped her; one of the boys allegedly yelled, "take a picture, take a picture." According to Rehtaeh's mother, "That picture began to circulate in her school and community three days later."

The picture prompted a torrent of online bullying as well as verbal abuse at her school. When Rehtaeh confessed the incident to her mother a few days later, they called emergency health services as well the police. After a year of investigations, the police told her it was a case of "he said, she said," without enough evidence to press charges. They told the family that though she was underage, the photographs were not a criminal issue.

The family moved from Cole Harbour to Halifax. Leah Parsons reports that her daughter attempted to maintain high spirits, but was depressed:

"Every text, every negative thing she would read to me. It was hard. She tried and she kept trying... She was never left alone. Her friends turned against her, people harassed her, boys she didn't know started texting her and Facebooking asking her to have sex with them since she had had sex with their friends. It just never stopped."

Rehtaeh admitted herself to a hospital in March because of suicidal thoughts. She attempted suicide on Thursday and was taken off life support on Sunday. Parsons has created a memorial page for her daughter, where she wrote:

"She made my life complete. When Rehtaeh was born, I dedicated everything to her and promised her the world. Others in this world took that away from her."

[CBC, image via Rehtaeh Parsons's Facebook Memorial Page]

04-05-2013, 04:04 PM	#1
Kobi Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Biological female. Lesbian. Relationship Status: Happy Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Hanging out in the Atlantic. Posts: 9,234 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,840 Thanked 34,617 Times in 7,640 Posts Rep Power: 21474860	Obama apologizes to California AG for comment on looks President Obama has apologized to California Attorney General Kamala Harris for commenting Thursday on her looks, an aide said Friday. "He called her (Thursday night) to apologize for the distraction created by his comments," said White House spokesman Jay Carney. "They are old friends and good friends," Carney said."And he did not want in any way to diminish the attorney general's professional accomplishments and her capabilities." During a fundraiser in California, Obama praised Harris' work and added that "she also happens to be, by far, the best-looking attorney general in the country." As the crowd reacted, the president said, "It's true! Come on!" Some commentators criticized Obama for the crack, calling it sexist and demeaning. Carney pointed out that Obama also described Harris as "brilliant, dedicated, and tough." The president also "fully recognizes the challenge women continue to face in the workplace and that they should not be judged based on appearance," Carney said. ------------------------ Sigh.

04-08-2013, 10:13 AM	#2
Greyson Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Transmasculine/Non-Binary Preferred Pronoun?: Hy (Pronounced He) Relationship Status: Married Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 6,589 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 21,132 Thanked 8,146 Times in 2,005 Posts Rep Power: 21474858	Women Candidate's Appearance. What about their intelligence? News coverage of female candidate’s appearance damages her chance of winning Posted by Diana Reese on April 8, 2013 at 12:57 am Even such a neutral description of a female candidate’s appearance can hurt her chances at getting elected, according to a study released today by Name It. Change It., a joint project of The Women’s Media Center and She Should Run. News coverage that referred to a female candidate as “fit and attractive and looks even younger than her age,” even though it sounded complimentary, hurt the voters’ perceptions of the politician for being in touch and being likeable, confident, effective and qualified. Both negative and positive comments caused damage. The voters whose responses were affected the most by coverage of a candidate’s appearance were independents — and their support often determines the outcome of an election. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...ce-of-winning/ __________________ Sometimes you don't realize your own strength until you come face to face with your greatest weakness. - Susan Gale

04-09-2013, 04:05 PM	#3
Kätzchen Member How Do You Identify?: Femme Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sharing my life with my granddaughter, family & friends. ツ Posts: 16,161 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 29,503 Thanked 33,582 Times in 10,687 Posts Rep Power: 21474868	an excellent article and comments section @ For Harriet "Allies who bristle at earnest criticism from the members of the community they desire to serve hurt us more than they help," -- Kimberly Foster (Founder & Editor of For Harriet) Link: http://www.forharriet.com/2013/04/th...ed-allies.html __________________ “The way someone treats you is not a reflection of your worth: It’s a reflection of their emotional capacity,” — Jillian Turecki. I’m doing my part, as an American citizen, who is concerned about losing our Democracy: I boycott agencies and businesses and service providers who do not support the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Support Democracy: Vote Blue

04-09-2013, 05:34 PM	#4
femmeInterrupted Member How Do You Identify?: Queer femme Preferred Pronoun?: she works out well ;) Relationship Status: Happily married. Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ontario Posts: 812 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,885 Thanked 3,216 Times in 667 Posts Rep Power: 21474852	Herstory 1920s Anti-suffragette's postcard. "Peace at last" __________________ "If you have come to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us walk together." Lila Watson You say you love rain, but you use an umbrella to walk under it. You say you love sun, but you seek shade when its shining. You say you love wind, but when its comes you close your window. So that's why I'm scared, when you say you love me. -- Bob Marley

04-09-2013, 05:38 PM	#5
femmeInterrupted Member How Do You Identify?: Queer femme Preferred Pronoun?: she works out well ;) Relationship Status: Happily married. Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ontario Posts: 812 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,885 Thanked 3,216 Times in 667 Posts Rep Power: 21474852	The Museum of Sexism. Fantastic posts showing the history of sexism against feminists/suffragettes. __________________ "If you have come to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us walk together." Lila Watson You say you love rain, but you use an umbrella to walk under it. You say you love sun, but you seek shade when its shining. You say you love wind, but when its comes you close your window. So that's why I'm scared, when you say you love me. -- Bob Marley

04-09-2013, 05:44 PM	#6
femmeInterrupted Member How Do You Identify?: Queer femme Preferred Pronoun?: she works out well ;) Relationship Status: Happily married. Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ontario Posts: 812 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,885 Thanked 3,216 Times in 667 Posts Rep Power: 21474852	More Anti- suffrage propaganda __________________ "If you have come to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us walk together." Lila Watson You say you love rain, but you use an umbrella to walk under it. You say you love sun, but you seek shade when its shining. You say you love wind, but when its comes you close your window. So that's why I'm scared, when you say you love me. -- Bob Marley

04-09-2013, 05:52 PM	#7
femmeInterrupted Member How Do You Identify?: Queer femme Preferred Pronoun?: she works out well ;) Relationship Status: Happily married. Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ontario Posts: 812 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,885 Thanked 3,216 Times in 667 Posts Rep Power: 21474852	I'm enraged and devastated. http://gawker.com/5994168/nova-scoti...rape-bullying/ Nova Scotia Teen Commits Suicide After Rape, Bullying Maggie Lange Rehtaeh Parsons, a 17-year-old from Nova Scotia, died this past Sunday in a hospital, after attempting suicide on Thursday. Her mother stated that a rape in 2011 and subsequent bullying led to her daughter's suicide. In 2011, Rehtaeh Parsons attended a party where she consumed enough vodka to not remember most of the evening. She recalls throwing up out of a window. Four boys then raped her; one of the boys allegedly yelled, "take a picture, take a picture." According to Rehtaeh's mother, "That picture began to circulate in her school and community three days later." The picture prompted a torrent of online bullying as well as verbal abuse at her school. When Rehtaeh confessed the incident to her mother a few days later, they called emergency health services as well the police. After a year of investigations, the police told her it was a case of "he said, she said," without enough evidence to press charges. They told the family that though she was underage, the photographs were not a criminal issue. The family moved from Cole Harbour to Halifax. Leah Parsons reports that her daughter attempted to maintain high spirits, but was depressed: "Every text, every negative thing she would read to me. It was hard. She tried and she kept trying... She was never left alone. Her friends turned against her, people harassed her, boys she didn't know started texting her and Facebooking asking her to have sex with them since she had had sex with their friends. It just never stopped." Rehtaeh admitted herself to a hospital in March because of suicidal thoughts. She attempted suicide on Thursday and was taken off life support on Sunday. Parsons has created a memorial page for her daughter, where she wrote: "She made my life complete. When Rehtaeh was born, I dedicated everything to her and promised her the world. Others in this world took that away from her." [CBC, image via Rehtaeh Parsons's Facebook Memorial Page] __________________ "If you have come to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us walk together." Lila Watson You say you love rain, but you use an umbrella to walk under it. You say you love sun, but you seek shade when its shining. You say you love wind, but when its comes you close your window. So that's why I'm scared, when you say you love me. -- Bob Marley