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Aug
24
Nope, No Media Bias in NYT Can-Women-in-Expensive-High-Heels-Really-Be-Taken-As-Serious-Politicians Article
Filed Under Campaigning, democracy, Gender, leadership, Media, Politics, Sexism, Social Issues, Women | Leave a Comment
I’ve written before about how exactly do women use whatever positive attributes, as women, we have on the campaign trail, especially given that there are three or four generations of women around to vote and they definitely don’t all view female politicians and campaigning as a woman in the same way. But now the New York Times has really conflated the coverage of women politicians and still somehow managed to ignore what does matter in a political competition in, “Blazing Campaign Trails in a Certain 3-Inch Heel.”
Folks: Women politicians can be covered for fashion – in the fashion section and at the same rate that men politicians are covered for fashion. I would never deny that fashion is something no one candidates – male or female – thinks about.
But women politicians should be covered by the media for their issues and character and leadership abilities, based on their experiences, accomplishments and vision for how they’ll fulfill expectations in public office should they win. Exactly as men politicians.
It’s beyond the pale now: there is NO QUESTION that the NYT did this story to get up hackles and in the end, throw serious political reportage of women candidates under the bus. It’s an inexcusable dog and pony show for readers and frankly, if I were that candidate, I would have demanded a different article.
Now – lest I be picked on for saying that a woman politician should be able to choose being portrayed anyway she wants, fine.
BUT I would then ask: WAS SHE GIVEN A CHOICE? Did the Times say to her: we can either do a fashion piece on you and connect shoes to women running for office, or we can do a piece on how you and Maloney differ and what you bring to the table that she doesn’t. Which would you like? Read more
By Jill Miller Zimon at 12:10 pm August 24th, 2010 in Campaigning, democracy, Gender, leadership, Media, Politics, Sexism, Social Issues, Women | Please comment
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Aug
21
Definitely an improvement: Sunday talking heads #diversitywin
Filed Under Culture, democracy, Ethics, Gender, intolerance, leadership, Media, Politics, Sexism, Women | Leave a Comment
Better than five old white guys for sure.
Now, if only we could do better with the guests:
14 slots total. 11 men (on is showing up on two shows) and 2 women. Yeah. No.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 9:13 pm August 21st, 2010 in Culture, democracy, Ethics, Gender, intolerance, leadership, Media, Politics, Sexism, Women | Please comment
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Aug
17
[UPDATE] ODB Unpacks Concern Over PD Endorsement Gender Bias
Filed Under CuyahogaCounty, Gender, leadership, Media, Ohio, Politics, Sexism, Voting, Women | 2 Comments
Anastasia does a great job in Ohio Daily Blog’s A Disturbing Pattern with this subject and honestly, I feel as bothered if not more so (probably not possible though given how passionate we both are about this).
What is going on? Please read her post and comment here or there.
And remember, just because there is no intention does not mean that there is no bias. It should be revealed and filtered out or otherwise acknowledged and/or controlled for.
17 primary endorsements total from the PD
11 in Democratic primaries: 10 men, 1 woman
6 in Republican primaries (no Republican primary in the other five districts): 5 men, 1 woman
For County Executive:
2 endorsements total (one per party)
4 Democratic candidates (2 men, 2 women): PD endorses Ed Fitzgerald
3 Democratic candidates: (3 men): PD endorses Matt Dolan
So, if Cuyahoga County voters went with all of the primary PD’s endorsed candidates, the gender composition of the brand new Cuyahoga County government, with 12 elected officials, would be either 10 men and two women (or less than 20% female composition) or 11 men and one woman – less than 10% female composition.
With less than 25% women even in these races, we’ve not given ourselves very good odds. But that does not excuse the PD from needing to unpack what’s going on with their endorsements, including the difference in the decisive value between managing tempests with aplomb versus being polished.
Oh – and just for the fun of it? Cuyahoga County, as of the Census data for 2009, was composed of 52.6% women – not less than 20%. Just in case, you know, representative government has you confused.
Guess they’re all worried about the end of men – which certainly doesn’t seem to be in sight here in Cuyahoga County, if these PD endorsements reign.
Last but not least, why having more than one matters so damn much. I cannot say it any better than Swanee Hunt and Kerry Healey earlier this year:
…we share the conviction that a “critical mass’’ of women will lead to better public policies.
What’s a critical mass? Research shows that when about 30 percent of a group is made up women, the discourse, values, and working style of the entire organization changes.
Women collectively bring a broader perspective to the political debate, based on their different social roles and life experiences. That breadth is crucial in order to solve the many challenges society faces, including the current economic crisis, national security issues, and health care reform.
While no stereotype is true for all men or all women, social science research says women tend to be more inclusive, more easily build bridges across ideological divides, and are more in touch with their local communities – all necessary traits for the kind of leadership needed in this deeply divided country.
But it will take a big effort to get women to imagine themselves in the political ring. Unfortunately, women candidates are often held to a different standard by power brokers and opinion-makers, including party leaders, donors, and the media. Sometimes other women are a female candidate’s harshest critics – so the obstacles to women participating in electoral office are not placed there by men alone. When a mother runs, voters of both genders often wonder, “Who will care for the children while she campaigns?’’ – a question for Pauline but not Paul. And typically, those controlling the party’s purse strings demand proof that the candidate has raised a substantial portion of her projected budget before even discussing how they can help her win her race.
This observation about what’s happening with our brand new county government and the media’s role in endorsements for 12 new elected offices is an opportunity to lead, not to be defensive.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 10:10 am August 17th, 2010 in CuyahogaCounty, Gender, leadership, Media, Ohio, Politics, Sexism, Voting, Women | 2 Comments
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Aug
16
Strickland not Democrat distancing self from Obama
Filed Under Barack Obama, Campaigning, Democrats, Government, leadership, Ohio, Politics, Ted Strickland | Leave a Comment
Chris Cillizza wasn’t the only one writing about whether Democrats should be closer to or farther away from President Obama in the current election cycle but his piece, Some Democratic candidates distance themselves from Obama, covers the bases. Here’s evidence that Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland is not one of the ones distancing themselves:
President Barack Obama
joined by
Governor Ted Strickland
and
Yvette McGee Brown
Candidate for Lieutenant GovernorWednesday, August 18, 2010
The Strickland for Governor event
begins promptly at 11:30 am
Columbus Athenaeum
32 North Fourth Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215RSVP online by August 13:
http://www.TedStrickland.com/BarackObamaRSVP
Corporate contributions are prohibited. However, partnerships, LLCs and other unincorporated entities may contribute, but must provide the name of an owner to whom to attribute the contribution. Ohio law requires that all contributors must provide their name and address regardless of the amount of the contribution and the name of their employer if the contribution is for more than $100. If the contributor is self employed, the business name and occupation of the contributor must be provided. Ohio law in general prohibits the award of an un-bid state contract if contributions to the officeholder from an owner, partner or shareholder of the contracting entity or their spouse have exceeded $1,000 from the person in the two calendar years prior to the award of the contract. State employees are prohibited from donating to the campaign and should disregard this invitation. Contributions to Strickland for Governor are not tax deductible for federal income tax purposes.
Strickland for Governor, John P. Brody, Treasurer, 65 E. State St., Suite 1800, Columbus, Ohio 43215
Good, bad, neutral move?
By Jill Miller Zimon at 9:02 am August 16th, 2010 in Barack Obama, Campaigning, Democrats, Government, leadership, Ohio, Politics, Ted Strickland | Please comment
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Aug
12
Politico Has Big #Diversityfail
Filed Under Blogging, democracy, Elections, Gender, Government, leadership, Media, Ohio, Pepper Pike, Politics, Research, Social Issues, social media, Transparency, Voting, Women, Writing | Leave a Comment
Okay – so – you know – I don’t want to whine. I don’t want to claw. I don’t want to – oh hell, you know what? I’m pissy. I’m just very very pissy because Politico, which I really do read and really do get news from, really did have a reporter write a story about political bloggers who run for office – see, here it is – More Bloggers Throw Hat in the Ring. And he really did get to me by THREE different routes: Alan Rosenblatt emailed me to include me in on a conversation when he first got contacted, then the reporter contacted me directly and then BlogHer got a shout out from the reporter and they asked me if I would like to speak with him (by which time I’d already set up a phone call with the writer).
And we talked for over an hour. And I told him to check with Technorati, which it didn’t sound like he was going to do or hadn’t thought of yet, because that would put into metrics and context just how many political bloggers there even are, let alone those that run for office that are we can find/trace/hear about (given how hyper-local both blogging and running for office can be).
Then at this little gathering of 2400 bloggers, called BlogHer10, you know, I do this thing called an Inspirational Call to Action speech for 50-60 female bloggers who are interested in running for office or helping others run for office or advancing their causes through the political process and you know, I feel, like Denise encourages us to, kinda powerful – like I’m going to make a difference, just from my blogging – and, you know, running for office, all by my lonesome (with some serious BlogHer mojo behind me of course).
Then I follow up and get a nice note that the article will post this week and I’m not going to be in it but my info was very helpful (of course it was – why else do you stay on the phone with me for an hour?).
And then I read it. And you know what? My heart sank – it sank. Because it mentions my city – but not me.
Pepper Pike is 11 characters or spaces. Jill Miller Zimon is 17 characters or spaces. The reporter says it was a space issue.
You can read the rest at the original post at BlogHer.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 10:24 pm August 12th, 2010 in Blogging, democracy, Elections, Gender, Government, leadership, Media, Ohio, Pepper Pike, Politics, Research, Social Issues, social media, Transparency, Voting, Women, Writing | Please comment
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Aug
8
Call to Action: We Are The Change We’ve Been Waiting For: Don’t Get Mad, Get Elected
Filed Under activism, Blogging, BlogHer, Campaigning, democracy, Elections, Gender, Government, Jennifer Brunner, leadership, Politics, Sexism, Social Issues, social media, Transparency, Voting, Women, Writing | 9 Comments
Long before there was an August 3rd set of ballot issues for Pepper Pike, I’d been asked and accepted an invitation to be the inspirational call to action speaker at The White House Project’s training program done in conjunction with BlogHer10, a gathering of more than 2400 women bloggers organized by three of the most powerful people in new media. I adjusted travel plans to accommodate being at the conference and the training and this post recaps my speech intended to encourage female political bloggers to run for office.
Ironically, a reporter for Politico contacted me within the last couple of weeks (after two others whom he’d contacted had also contacted me about his inquiries) on the topic of political bloggers who run for office, and his research is in part in relation to this post I wrote last November about the rarity of both news stories on political bloggers who run for office and the rarity OF political bloggers running for office. The training collaboration between BlogHer and The White House Project will, I hope, make a dent in this lagging area of civic engagement for bloggers (going beyond blogging and running for office). As soon as the article is out, I’ll link to it.
Here is a Flickr set of photos taken by The White House Project from the training and, after the jump, you can read the text of the entire speech. I was only supposed to speak for 15 minutes, which I did, but then they were so pleased with that, that I took a few questions as well. I particularly love explaining to people why all the excuses they have for why they can’t or won’t run for office are surmountable. Go ahead try me!
You can also read a live-blog of the speech as well as the Q and A here.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 9:50 pm August 8th, 2010 in activism, Blogging, BlogHer, Campaigning, democracy, Elections, Gender, Government, Jennifer Brunner, leadership, Politics, Sexism, Social Issues, social media, Transparency, Voting, Women, Writing | 9 Comments
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Aug
3
Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland Announces Women’s Hall of Fame Inductees
Filed Under activism, Gender, leadership, Ohio, Women | Leave a Comment
And one is my nominee! Rita Singh of Pepper Pike. Many of you will recognize the names of Lana Moresky and Barbara Fergus, both of whom I also have the privilege of knowing. Mazel tov to all of the inductees whom you can read about below or at this webpage:
| Governor Announces 2010 Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame Inductees |
Columbus, Ohio–Ohio Governor Ted Strickland and the Governor’s Office for Women’s Initiatives and Outreach today announced the 2010 inductees to The Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame.
“These exceptional women, all leaders in their fields, have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to excellence, achievement and service, often against great odds, with courage, determination and compassion,” Strickland said. “I am proud to welcome them in to The Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame.”
The inductees for 2010 are: Read more
By Jill Miller Zimon at 10:35 am August 3rd, 2010 in activism, Gender, leadership, Ohio, Women | Please comment
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Aug
3
Calling Out Sarah Palin on Contributing to Use of Sexist Rhetoric in Politics
Filed Under Gender, Hillary Clinton, leadership, Media, Sarah Palin, Sexism, Women | Leave a Comment
Gender neutral punches. Gender. Neutral. If we don’t lead and show how it’s done, we can never be heard to expect that others stop it too.
Why? Watch this video – again and again – and see how men and women contribute to the sexist treatment of politicians (in this video, Hillary Clinton is the target but the remarks are lobbed by everyone from Michelle Malkin to Chris Matthews):
And here’s a collage of how bad it was against Sarah Palin herself:
It has got to stop and we have to stop it – and replace it. It’s not right when Maureen Dowd does it or Chris Matthews does it or Glenn Beck or Donny Deutsch (as shown in that video and you can read more here), and it’s not right when Sarah Palin does it either and compares President Obama and Governor Brewer’s cojones.
It’s just not okay. Period. Ed Schultz – you get a star for getting this one right and calling her comments out as sexist:
ED SCHULTZ, HOST: Sarah Palin is hitting President Obama below the belt on immigration. The same Sarah Palin who claimed to be a victim of sexism during the 2008 campaign has no problem making sexist remarks about the President of the United States. Here she is at home on Fox News Sunday.
And Newsbusters, you get an F- I suppose you think macaca is okay too.
Unbelievable. And very unpresidential (yeah yeah – don’t get bent out of shape – I call out Obama on junk like this too – remember his sweetie comment during the 2008 campaign?).
By Jill Miller Zimon at 9:10 am August 3rd, 2010 in Gender, Hillary Clinton, leadership, Media, Sarah Palin, Sexism, Women | Please comment
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Aug
2
No Excuses Allowed: Tackling The #1 Reason Women Don’t Run For Office
Filed Under Campaigning, democracy, Elections, Gender, Government, leadership, Media, Politics, Sexism, Social Issues, Transparency, Voting, Women | 1 Comment
In 2004 and again in 2008, Jennifer Lawless (Director, Women & Politics Institute, American University) and Robert Fox published reports that examine why women don’t run for elected position. The first was called Why Don’t Women Run For Office?, and Why Are Women Still Not Running For Office? was the follow up. Both reports eventually were published as books.
While seen as mostly accurate in nailing a number of issues related to the paucity of women in elected office, especially the suggestion that women may be victims of an ambition gap, there also was some criticism of that perspective being placed above systemic sexism.
I personally don’t buy the ambition gap per se, or even the assertion in an article from just a few weeks ago, Stagnating Gains For Women in Politics, that “The central obstacle to getting more women in elected office is the fact that they are less likely to even want to run for office.” [bold emphasis is mine]
If you want to read about the number one reason we don’t have more women in political office, read the full post here and leave a comment with your thoughts.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 9:11 am August 2nd, 2010 in Campaigning, democracy, Elections, Gender, Government, leadership, Media, Politics, Sexism, Social Issues, Transparency, Voting, Women | 1 Comment
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