Print This Post Print This Post

Jan

22

What is with all the men? All white men except for President Obama


From the Huffington Post, “DAY 2: ERASING BUSH’S FOREIGN POLICIES President Signs Order to Close Guantanamo Bay”

Bookmark and Share

By Jill Miller Zimon at 12:52 pm January 22nd, 2009 in Barack Obama, Gender, Government, Women 

Comments

19 Responses to “What is with all the men? All white men except for President Obama”

  1. 1 Scott on January 22nd, 2009 1:53 pm

    Yikes! I’m a white guy, and even I was blinded by the lack of melanin in that room…

    Not that I’m an authority on these matters by any means, Jill, but sometimes when I see things like this I think, “It’s not right, but it’s just a matter of time before a photo like that will become inevitably more diverse.” In other words, the change we want to see (i.e., more gender and ethnic diversity in positions of authority in our society) WILL happen, but it’s going to take time.

    Then I wonder if I think that way mainly to absolve myself from doing anything about the problem, or so that I don’t have to have a sense of urgency about it. (“Hey, it’s going to happen anyway. We just need to be patient.”) It’s an interesting problem.

    And by the way, being left-handed, I’ve been thrilled to see the president doing so many things with his left hand, such as signing that Guananomo order in the photo above… that is until recently when I read an article showing how a disproportionate number of presidents have been left-handed, especially over the last 20 or 30 years. I wonder why that is?

  2. 2 JumpingToConclusions on January 22nd, 2009 2:05 pm

    Hey there,

    I’m a fan of this site and I’m a women in the progressive online politics world, but this post is an example of knee jerkedness. Better to find out who the white guys are first.

    According to the NY Times:

    “As he signed three orders, 16 retired generals and admirals who have fought for months for a ban on coercive interrogations stood behind him and applauded. The group, organized to lobby the Obama transition team by the group Human Rights First”

    This wasn’t a random assortment of important old white dudes. Good on the old boys club for doing the right thing. And no need to diversify for the sake of having a rainbow pic of power in the backdrop.

  3. 3 Jill Miller Zimon on January 22nd, 2009 2:10 pm

    Jumping – that is a very fair addition of information to offer – I appreciate it.

    But you do realize what it still shows? Lack of gender or color diversity in the military ranks. And media presentation – bad on the HuffPo for not making that more clear with the photo, no?

    Tokenism is dicey – no question – I’ve been chosen as token myself in some situations.

    But still – there is not one single sector of this society that should be so white and so male. Not in the 21st century with the demographics this country of 300+million has.

    But again – you make a good addition re: info. Thank you.

  4. 4 Mark on January 22nd, 2009 3:39 pm

    Jill,

    Are we just going to give promotions because the demographics merit it? Maybe there aren’t that many women who continue in military careers long enough to be generals and admirals? Maybe, just maybe, the women generals and admirals do not agree with these guys? Geez, to just make decisions on demographics is as bigoted and discriminatory as a whites only sign or a no negros need apply sign or men only.

  5. 5 Jill Miller Zimon on January 22nd, 2009 3:46 pm

    Mark – I know you are really trying to bolster these other reasons, but here’s the thing you’re missing:

    Again, you make the case for my point about the centuries’ long exclusion and discrimination.

    Why haven’t women had that length of a career? Maybe because policies haven’t made it possible for women to have that length of a career – why should the military be exempt from being a family-friendly employer?

    Not once have I ever asked for or mentioned anything related to what you write here: “to just make decisions on demographics is as bigoted and discriminatory as a whites only sign or a no negros need apply sign or men only.”

    That is your own defense mechanism giving out a talking point in opposition to making changes that would not only level the playing field but welcome the diversity in talent that is out there regardless of gender, race, age etc.

    I would never support an unqualified someone over a qualified someone. But we’re not talking about that – we’re talking about sectors that absolutely excluded women and people of color for decades.

    Why do you think the Tuskegee Airmen were there in DC at the inaug on Tuesday?

  6. 6 Tim Russo on January 22nd, 2009 4:22 pm

    you are aware of who is secretary of state, are you not?

  7. 7 Jill Miller Zimon on January 22nd, 2009 4:49 pm

    Tim – what’s your point?

  8. 8 Laura on January 22nd, 2009 7:43 pm

    I think that Obama is concerned about the men’s suit industry. He has decided that women’s clothiers need no stimulus package, but that men’s suits companies might go under if they let some women in, which would result in less suits being purchased.

    Change we can count on. HA!

  9. 9 Jill Miller Zimon on January 22nd, 2009 7:48 pm

    What about the Jill Biden and Michelle Obama tall black boot brigade!? Then, all the women legislators could really sing These Boots Were Made for Walking!

    Thanks for the comment – made me smile.

    Sigh – ok – no more raining on parades. Just get me some parity.

  10. 10 Laura on January 22nd, 2009 7:56 pm

    Technically, Michelle Obama wore green heels.

    One more drizzle: My take on the whole needing to work her way up thing is “give me a break.” Yes, sure, Obama had to work his way through a few ceilings, and women surely are working their ways up. But why don’t we just stop making people contort their lives to fit into centuries old norms, and say oh look, an intelligent, gifted, proven professional in her field, let’s bring her in for some new insights, perspectives and ideas. Is someone channeling me to the White House?

  11. 11 Jill Miller Zimon on January 22nd, 2009 8:02 pm

    I think she wore the boots on the Whistle Stop thing on Sunday – her bday – that’s what it looked like, didn’t it?

    I total agree your last questions.

  12. 12 Laura on January 22nd, 2009 8:25 pm

    Oh, the train thing (which I don’t understand), I guess she was wearing boots there.

    Maybe we need a shadow government like they have in the UK, but here it would be composed of women. Oh wait, isn’t that what we female bloggers are doing? Trying to infuse our voices into the levers and into the seats of power. Keyboardettes Unite!

  13. 13 Neil on January 22nd, 2009 11:08 pm

    I think it is a complex issue counting suits and dresses or skirts. Thankfully, women have different values then men. In many instances, the old boys network still keeps the glass ceiling in place. In other instances, women make different choices based on different values. My daughter was climbing the corporate ladder when she decided that there was more to life than being on call 24/7.

  14. 14 John Ettorre on January 23rd, 2009 7:03 am

    What’s wrong with white males? You married one, didn’t you?

  15. 15 Laura on January 23rd, 2009 7:09 am

    John, in response to your question: on a one-on-one basis they are fine, some are even good, but running the world, not so much.

  16. 16 John Ettorre on January 23rd, 2009 7:17 am

    Fair enough, Laura. Your blog looks intriguing at first glance. I’ll be sure to give it a closer look over the weekend.

  17. 17 Carrie on January 23rd, 2009 9:19 am

    John: I wouldn’t bother. All you’re going to find there is a divorced, bitter woman with LOTS of issues…(“Some are even good?” Seriously?)

  18. 18 Jill Miller Zimon on January 23rd, 2009 9:24 am

    @”Carrie” #17 –

    Tone down the personal attacks, okay? This really isn’t the place for them. If you click on John’s name at the top of his comment, you can get to his blog and there’s an email address for him there – you can tell him all the good gossip you want that way. Thanks.

  19. 19 Laura on January 23rd, 2009 9:24 am

    Carrie, are you referring to me? I take offense at that comment. I am a divorced woman. I am a woman who has lived through things that I didn’t sign on for when I got married and I write about them so that other people can know to “have company” or to know what a loved one is experiencing. My blog, if you have read it, covers so much more than “bitter divorced woman.”

  • Writes Like She Tumbls

  • Voted into Top 25 Political Mom Blogs

  • Now on sale-WLST essay included!

  • Find Me On

  • RSS Posts About Pepper Pike City Council

  • 2010 WE Magazine 101 Women Bloggers to Watch

    Jill Miller Zimon,Blogging,WE Magazine

  • Category Specific RSS

    Pepper Pike
    Cleveland+
    Politics
    Women
    Ohio
    Elections
    Law
    Jewish
    by Tips and Tricks

  • Calendar

  • Archives

  • Categories

  • Meta

  • Search Ohio Blogs

    BlogNetNews.com

    media_bloggers.bmp

    BlogBurst.com


    Visit The White House Project

  • Notorious Women through History


  • Our Bodies, Our Blog


  • Spam Blocked

"));