Sexism in media.

[futurebird.livejournal.com]

"What Does An Important Person Look Like?" That's the question Jennifer Dalton poses in her new "Cool Guys Like You" exhibition, opening Friday at New York's Winkleman Gallery. And in case you hadn't guessed, the answer is: a dude.
As Dalton explains in her statement about the installation, an open letter to talk show hosts "Bill/Brian/Charlie/Jon/Leonard/Rachel/Stephen/Terry": "When I looked closely at whom you interview -- the people you collectively decide are the most important of the moment -- I was very surprised…. In 2010, the most lopsided show among you featured only 17.5% female guests. The most balanced among you still only featured 34% female guest s…. If I may be so bold, WTF?"

From Salon.com : Does "The Daily Show" still have a woman problem?
BY MARY ELIZABETH WILLIAMS Posted on FRIDAY, SEP 9, 2011 14:10 ET 

Whenever anyone tries to talk about sexism the one frequently seen reflexive response is to say something along the lines of "there is a very good reason why there are more men than women" then reasons are given that range from the blatantly sexist (women are not funny) to the systemic (not enough women who can fit these roles, women don't want to do these things in large enough numbers) These responses can be found in the comments of the salon.com article --the trouble is all of these responses are cop-outs and they are rarely supported by data.

A quick internet search will tell you that women outnumber men in journalism schools, and women outnumber men in drama schools. This is a hard indication that women WANT these kinds of jobs and they WANT to be in the industry and they are studying and working toward that goal in large enough numbers that it should not be hard at all to find one good woman suited to a given job. Of coure, a degree doesn't make one qualified or good, but the idea that there isn't a sufficient pool of women seeking these positions is nothing more than a comforting myth that helps us ignore the 10,000 gorilla in the room:

That even funny, awesome, compassionate liberals can be sexist.

My challenge to you: Don't try to explain this away. Instead think of something, however large or small it might be, that you can do to change it. Do you need an incentive beyond simple justice and fairness? Well, think of this: When we tap in to all of those silent female voices we will have better media and funnier comedy, that's just what happens when you select from a bigger pool without sexist blinders on.

Comments

[curseangel.livejournal.com]

Are you saying comedy clubs, The Tonight Show, etc, are purposely (subconsciously or whatever) not choosing many females because they want males, or don't want females?

Er, yes, actually. Because believe it or not, even comedy clubs and the Tonight Show can be sexist. And they are.

Are all of us internet people biased too?

Yes. This really should be kind of a "no shit, Sherlock" thing. Of course "internet people" can be sexist. And they by and large are.

Or could it be that like most sports, most of the best comedians are male?

lolwhut. So your response to a question about sexism is to give us some sexism? Cos um, no, there are tons of very, very funny women out there - and tons of women who are very awesome at sports. Thing is, sexism not only denies them success within those fields due to societal stereotypes that women aren't as good at sports or as good at being funny as men, but it also denies them the ability and opportunity to try in the first place. It is incredibly difficult to succeed as a female comedian, and many women aren't going to even try because of the perception that they won't make it through the door in most places.

[notmrgarrison.livejournal.com]

"Thing is, sexism not only denies them success within those fields due to societal stereotypes that women aren't as good at sports"

This is a stereotype?
Do you honestly think the NFL or NBA would be 50% female, or even 5% female, if not for people's attitudes? Do you honestly think track and field world records would be held by 50% women, or even 15% women, if only society were unbiased?

[curseangel.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it is a stereotype. And actually, yes, I do. Not least because if it weren't for societal attitudes that women are "less than," especially in sports, the WNBA and other women's sports organizations, leagues and what have you would be a great deal more popular, and would probably have the same following as the NBA and other men's sports. Women's accomplishments would be more noted, as well, rather than glossed over.

[mrbogey.livejournal.com]

'Not least because if it weren't for societal attitudes that women are "less than," especially in sports, the WNBA and other women's sports organizations, leagues and what have you would be a great deal more popular, and would probably have the same following as the NBA and other men's sports.'

Watching the WNBA is like watching college basketballs from the 50s. And I find modern B-ball kinda boring.

Oddly enough the LPGA is quite popular. Gee, I wonder if it's because the women are good enough to warrant as much attention as the men.