Citizen Journalism and Feminist Fatale
There was an article by Julie Hollar for FAIR: Fairness and Accuracy in the Media in June of 2005. She discussed a public attack launched by Susan Estrich against LA Times op-ed editor Michael Kinsley for not including enough women in his pages. Ms. Hollar stated, “The problems run deeper than the op-ed pages of prominent newspapers; female opinions are muted across the media.”
Although that was almost five years ago, the same can be said of many newspapers today. In my city of Pittsburgh, for example, most of the op-ed pages are written by men, with the exception of Maureen Dowd whose columns from the New York Times are printed here at least once per week. Other female journalists are basically subjugated to the magazine section of the paper and do pieces on home and garden and cooking tips. It is of concern to me that there appears to be an inequity in the number of male and female writers, not only in newspapers, but in citizen journalism.
Being a news and political junkie, I scour the Internet for articles on current issues. Other than Arianna Huffington, the majority of blog writers or citizen journalists writing about these issues are men. Where are the female writers? I have been told by some that women are considered “too parochial.” According to Hollar’s article, “… feminism disqualifies them as public intellectuals.”
- Image by ★Debs★ via Flickr
Well, I do not care for labels but I know some apply to me. I am a wife, a mother, a Liberal and was a terrific Investigator, teacher, social worker and antiques dealer. I never ascribed the term “feminist” to myself. I sought only to pursue avenues through whatever paths my abilities could take. Granted there were times when I was employed as an Investigator for a government agency that I worked twice as hard and many more hours than my male counterparts. The reason for that was simple. I was one of the first female Investigators hired in that particular office and wanted to prove that I could do as well as the men. I did, but it was a self-imposed goal. If I could succeed, then the door could be opened for more women, which is exactly what happened. And then the cold water was splashed on my face.
I became a blogger. At first I took some hard knocks as some men who responded to my political articles blasted me because I was, according to them, seeing issues only as a woman. The feminist fatale had arrived, or so they thought. People cannot be categorized quite that simply. That was two years ago, and since then the tenor of our blog has been set. We disagree on certain issues; sometimes have a meeting of the minds, but never has anyone been disrespectful.
If citizen journalism is to make the strides it should in this vast arena, there needs to be parity of the sexes and a reliable sense of mutual respect. Otherwise it might as well be tabloid writing. So write on, all you women bloggers, and fear not the political venue.
—cher
You have the point, absolutely. We have been blogging about women in the world of men and how they manage to do more than men. I hope there are left less those who think of women in a certain bad way, and more those aware of their value. Both men and women have the ability to think. No big difference there.
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NewsMeBack,
Good points. Intellect is not a gender issue, so why are so many women treading lightly about their political stances? We are a large voting block and should be well-informed. Not being well-informed crosses both genders.
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Would that we only have a society where the term “feminist” is unnecessary…
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bluzdude,
I agree. I very much dislike the term and what it misrepresents.
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WRITE ON My Feminist Citizen Journalist. I am here with you, and I got all my sisters with me. women are the true “describers”. we see color and detail, not just the black and white facts. that’s why Women are more Compassionate and Detailed in our writings and our understanding of situations.
We Feel It, So We Know It. Excellent Piece Cher. You Make Me Proud to Be A Feminist Citizen Journalist. THANK YOU MY SISTER.
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At least there’s Arianna Huffington. The network she’s put together on her site is amazing. The bigger problem is that female journalists on television seem to be used mainly as eye candy. Whether it’s the Fox sorority, the CNN babes, or even network news, it seems you only get a shot if you are young, stately, and Cover Girl fresh. We’ll see what kind of a chance CNN gives to Candy Crowley.
When I first moved to Pittsburgh, I lived next door to Sally Kalson, who had a column inside the front page each week. Where ever they moved her, I never see her column anymore. Right now, at the PG, 3 of the 11 columnists listed are female.
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The history of the word “feminism” in the media is quite telling and much a part of why so many women live the term but refuse to use it. Before second wave feminism there were far fewer women than there are now doing wonderful things like writing this blog.
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Carpetbagger,
Arianna Huffington open a door which had been locked to women. Not only that, but she was the forefront of citizen journalism and has gained much-deserved respect. The way she conducts herself in interviews shows her beauty. She may not be beautiful in the classic sense, but she has class as well as intellect.
You really hit this target when you wrote about “eye candy.” It is denigrating to women that unless you are just that, you are not on the screen. Thankfully, Candy Crowley is on CNN, and no one did a finer job during the presidential campaign than she did.
Pittsburgh is way behind the times. Sally Kalson has disappeared. Imagine the Post Gazette having 3 female columnists. That is a stand-alone statement.
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Chris J,
The second wave of feminism has done a fair job, but not adequate. We fought long, hard battles to get doors open for women. Now there are many who just sit idly by on the sidelines and let life happen to them. What a shame.
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ausetkmt,
Excellent points on why women make great journalists. You are right in there, my friend. Fight the good fight. Thirty years from now, we may be in the same nursing home still ranting about young women who need to speak out and put it in writing.
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I just read an article on women bass players. Talk about a minority in a world completely dominated by men. Women are generally singers, so when they dare to venture out and hang with the guys on a very difficult instrument they are “vibed.”
But that shouldn’t deter them. I for one, could care less if it’s a women or a man playing next to me. If they can play, they can play. And of course, in fifteen years I’m hoping my daughter takes the scene by storm!
As far as women journalists go and opportunities, etc. It’s an uphill struggle for sure, but it’s worse if women don’t actually make the attempt. It’s unclear why there are less women journalists writing about substantive material. Is it because they are discriminated against, or because they don’t throw their hat into the ring? Or is it because more men are interested in the topics?
Thought provoking!
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One of The Guys,
Regarding why there are fewer female journalists, I think all your questions apply. I do know that there are many female journalists out there, but mass media does not pick them up, perhaps because their readership is primarily men. Nevertheless, it closes the wrong door and slights women who could make valuable contributions. Interesting thoughts, Guys.
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And what is wrong with thinking like a woman?
Who ever said that the thoughts of the man were Gods Gift to journalism, politic, even blogging…jeesh!
I think it is time that we look at what people have to say in the level of content not the level of protrusions….I thought we had surpassed that archaic way of thinking…in the professional world anyway~
Surely we are not so shallow as to fall back into judging a book by its cover ~
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D,
You are so right when you say it is an “archaic” way of thinking. I would like to believe that our society is not that shallow, but at the moment, I’m not convinced. The opinions of our society should be shaped by balance, and that includes thoughts from women. For the most part, we live longer and have much more to lose by allowing ourselves to be muted. It is time to Write On!
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Excellent article! I find that women to tend to explain things more and so i often look to people like you when i am trying to understand a concept (which is how we met in the first place!)
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Emm,
You are one of the young women who are exploring various aspects and issues of global impact. When I found your blog, A Passion To Understand, I was thrilled to see you tackling strong issues. You are a marvelous role model for women your age and a tibute to us all.
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I read a critique of Arianna Huffington’s site stating that the only woman she publishes on the front page is herself. Not surprising for someone who gives interviews to Playboy, I suppose. I’ll take Gail Collins over the former Republican living off her ex-husband’s money, any day.
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so-and-so,
I do not believe that Arianna Huffington needs to live off anyone’s money. And I have been known to vote Republican in the past as well. Further, I see many female journalists on her front page, so I’m not sure just what you are reading. She was the pioneer of serious citizen journalism and deserves much credit.
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Cher You Have Started Our Week of Wonderful Women Bloggers
http://badgals-radio.com/heat-it-up-sistawoman-make-em-hear-us
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