Women in Media 2013 - How's that equality thing working out?

Upworthy have compiled a video (above) of the successes and failures of women's portrayal in the media in 2013. 

First off, before everyone gets all defensive, it's important to remember the discussion of sexism isn't aimed at solely at men. Without recognising the repeated shortcomings of women as well in the equality race we won't really be getting very far. 

As Sheryl Sandberg points out, it's down to each individual (man, woman, anything in between) to take responsibility and stand up for what they think is right, fair, equal, unbiased, and so on. To stand up for women AND men.

Some may feel the pressure from the group to join into the jokes, maybe even find it genuinely funny, or have found themselves at a point where demeaning words are hardly even recognised what they represent or that they may cause offence/be incredibly outdated. Others are simply un-aware. 

And sadly some may even look at all of the below and see nothing wrong with it whatsoever, "is it not just harmless banter or home truths?" they might ask. "Must we really start this boring debate again?" 

Judging from the below, YES. We need a loud and clear debate, from all parties (girls, that means you). 

Was the wardrobe crew only available at specific shoots? Surely GQ could afford clothing for the ladies too, no?

Onto a subject very close to me personally, Sport. 

BBC Sports commentator John Inverdale decided to start the debate of looks-requirements for a professional Tennis player while stating Marion Bartoli wasn't ever going to be a 'looker' after she became Wimbledon Champion. As naturally this was the relevant response to the win. 

However, perhaps more disconcerting were some of the views reflected on the Twitter verse as can be seen above. Of course, and refreshingly, a large portion also erupted in outrage over the comments. 

Damon Bruce, a well-known US sportscaster, decided to share some personal views on how Sports has lost it's way due to women giving directions, and of course re-iterate the fact that us girls are playing in the boy's sandbox and must therefore toughen out and accept it or get out. 

Stylist tried to get a healthy debate going with their Fair Game campaign. 

Speaking of Sports... 

UniLad of course didn't stop there, but has shot itself in the foot repeatedly with self-help quotes like below. 

But let's not forget the 'apology', nor the comments expressing the lack of appreciation for the damn lass who reported the obviously 'harmless' rape-banter. Hmm.

Roxy's add campaign featuring pro surfer and five time world champion surfer Stephanie Gilmore involved a surprising lack of.. Uhm. Surfing. 

American Apparel didn't want to be left out, so they happily jumped on the advert bandwagon featuring the above. 

Robin Thicke had some penis issues, and felt the need to ensure the whole world was aware he had both a big dick and could surround himself with naked girls (/models if he paid them for said modelling), and Miley Cyrus fancied a piece of the action.

Let's not pretend it doesn't effect the highest levels of Politics either. We may have seen American elect a black man (baby steps) but from the looks of online commentary there still appears to be a shocking amount of outdated childish opinions when it comes to the idea of a female leader. 

Why, exactly, is it we can grasp the issue of racial inequality within, for example, politics but sexism still prevails so easily in the same debate? 

Food for thought?

xo

P

No laughing matter

 (This isn’t meant to be a rambling blog, but simply couldn’t refrain from this one.)

‘Nigella Lawson choked in public – husband calls it a playful tiff.’ Headlines like these are currently covering the front pages, and a quick scan of Google or Twitter reveals divided response lines. (more on theoriginal story here)

No matter what really went down at that Mayfair luncheon, it’s another awful story featuring abuse that should never be condoned.

 

Over on HelloGiggles this excellent summary has just been posted. Among other things it raises the question of why no one seemed to make any effort to intervene or, at least, ask if Nigella was ok? It also reminds us of the collective response that seems to frequently question the victim.

After spotting the headlines I was scrolling down the Instagram feed and spotted the below comments under a picture of the newspapers.

What part, exactly, of this is a laughing matter? Sure, discuss the privacy debate and paparazzi as much as you like (although this event occurred in front of diners and passer-bys in a very public place), but to joke about it? Not only too soon, more importantly too wrong.

Parallels were immediately drawn to the 2009 images that surfaced of Rihanna, having been assaulted by Chris Brown. Back then the instant fan reactions, readable in the comment fields of just about any relating article/video, featured disturbing content questioning, of all things, Rihanna.

In fact, large segments of the Internet had devoted themselves to making Rihanna the scapegoat for any woman who ever had the gall to do something worth getting hit, and then the cloying self-esteem to go to the cops about it. Bloggers and their commentators flocked to Chris Brown’s defense in droves. It was a full-blown tearing-down of female self-worth, an assault on any progress women have made in this country in the past 200 years, and the mainstream media ignored it.

 (HelloGiggles)

Back then statements were issued in support of the lady in question, but surprisingly many remained neutral ‘fans of both’.

Later in February, a photo of Brown riding a jet ski in Miami hit the Internet, and singer Usher was caught on video commenting on it: “I’m a little disappointed in this photo,” Usher says in the video. “After the other photo [of Rihanna's bruised face]? C’mon, Chris. Have a little bit of remorse, man. The man’s on jet skis? Like, just relaxing in Miami?”

The backlash was so severe that Usher was later forced to publicly apologize.

“I apologize on behalf of myself and my friends if anyone was offended,” he said. “The intentions were not to pass judgment and we meant no harm. I respect and wish the best for all parties involved.”

The Grammy producers also issued the following statements when Brown eventually returned to the stage –

“We’re glad to have him back,” said executive producer Ken Ehrlich. “I think people deserve a second chance, you know. If you’ll note, he has not been on the Grammys for the past few years and it may have taken us a while to kind of get over the fact that we were the victim of what happened.”

(HelloGiggles) 

Re-read that last part. They clearly zeroed in on the most important issue at hand, the Producers feeling victimised by the inconvenience caused from the boyfriend violently assaulting his girl. Sure. Who can’t relate to that? (Sarcasm)

There is also the incident of UniLads, one of the many ‘lads’ groups featured heavily among the younger male (15-35) UK market. This one posted tips on how to score on a night out, ending the write up with

And if the girl you’ve taken for a drink happens to belong to the ‘25%’ group and won’t ’spread for your head’, think about this mathematical statistic: 85% of rape cases go unreported. That seems to be fairly good odds.*

*Uni Lad does not condone rape without saying ‘surprise’.

(more here)

After eventually, due to increased media pressure, publishing a half hearted apology the comments field quickly filled up with a rather worrying banter trend

Back to the headlines at hand today then. A woman is humiliated in public by someone who is meant to love and care about her. Everyone around stands back, not wanting to get involved in the public ‘scene’. The media report on it and the comment fields appear, again worryingly, divided. Is Saatchi right? Was this not just a playful tiff? What did she do to set him off?

This is a serious issue too often overlooked or clichéd. Yes we often discuss and disapprove of domestic violent, and the majority of people around you will say they think it’s blatantly out of order. But what difference does all that talking do when the reactions at an actual event like this seem to be divided loyalties and a sense of “ooh this is awkward, can we not just move on and not talk about it already?”

Perhaps joking about it might help some people rationalise something we struggle to wrap our heads around (why someone would hurt someone they ‘love’ like that). But that sounds like a hollow reason to justify those types of comments. Look around. In your friendship group/family there is probably a woman (or several) who have been through some form of abuse/sexism/uncomfortable confrontation but probably isn’t up for publicly discussing it.

Before you laugh at a rape joke or a victim take a moment to consider those ladies in your life. Matters like these are never just ‘jokes’, and everyone has a responsibility to do something abt it, even if it’s as simple as not to laugh or condone.

Just saying...

 xo xo 

'P'