Race, Gender and the Media: Week 4
March 15, 2010
The “Queen Bee” article has me thinking about why I myself sometimes feel sexist toward women. Both of these women must be intelligent and hard working, or they would not have made it as far as they did in this highly competitive industry. Contrary to popular belief, it does take more than a pretty face to make it in broadcast.
I know they had no control over what was written in the article itself, or how it was written, but they could easily have said, “look, I’m a professional and you will not portray me as a sexual object or put me in some silly, contrived pose.”
I’m angered by the fact that they allowed themselves to be photographed the way they were. I feel it is these actions (and in this context, this is one of the most minor violations women make) that make me have to work that much harder to gain respect from my male counterparts.
These stereotypes exist for a reason. It’s self fulfilling prophecy. And it drives me crazy. Women that are serious about being taken seriously have to break all kinds of ground and put up with all kinds of harrassment because of those who perpetuate the perception of females as vain, shallow sex objects, who are either dumb or manipulatively conniving.
If all women would step up and act like responsible and intelligent citizens of society, this problem would be quickly eradicated. You can only blame (white) men for so much. At some point, women (and minorities in similar situations) need to accept the cards they were dealt and take the responsibility upon themselves to break the cycle.
