CNN asks: “Is Feminism Obsolete?”
June 22, 2009
by Amy Siskind
CNN asks: “Is Feminism Obsolete?” I’m asking: “Is CNN?”
Carol Costello of CNN filed a story last week titled Is Feminism Obsolete? Here the video that goes along with her article:
This refrain: “where are the feminists” is frankly, well, getting kinda old. How many more nights do we have to endure Bill O’Reilly, Greta Van Susteren and the rest of the Cable folks talking about the end of women’s advocacy?
I have two theories on what is afoot here. One is that the folks at FoxNews like this story line – they want us to fail. O’Reilly’s executive producer loved my piece Sexism Against Conservative Women is Still Sexism and proposed a story line along what The New Agenda was doing with other groups to protest Letterman. O’Reilly didn’t want to run with it. We also had a slew of viewers ask us to reach out to Greta – and many of our viewers sent emails and cc’ed me. I called Greta’s producer who assured me that if I sent Greta more information on what The New Agenda was up to on the Letterman front, Greta would certainly like to know. So we did. Crickets.
And then this story by Carol Costello in which she takes a poke at Tina Brown — mind you Tina wrote about the term “feminism” being passe last November:
Our poll suggests a lot of scope for a revised and updated women’s equality movement—as long as it doesn’t call itself feminism. Only 20 percent of those surveyed are willing to attach themselves to a label that seems to have become as droopy as one of Bella Abzug’s hats. So passe is “feminism” that the bi-partisan woman’s activist group New Agenda, formed by Amy Siskind in August after Hillary’s defeat, is canvassing for new names to re-invigorate the cause (suggestions gratefully received).
But there’s a difference. When Tina spotted this issue 8 months ago, she wrote a responsible piece. She said, yes, the term is not polling well, but then leaves us with the next option (or next wave) – not some watered down, boo hoo, go home to the kitchen girls.
So, here’s the other possibility. That it is not feminism that is becoming obsolete, it’s our cable networks. Stop and think about it. Could it be that our new medium, the blogosphere, is rendering the other media out of touch? I mean, anyone who was on the blogosphere for the last two weeks could have read what millions of mothers and fathers were saying about the Letterman episode. It was on every blog. Here’s what I wrote in my piece last week about the Next Wave:
Gone are “protest rallies.” Picket signs are being replaced by keyboards. This wave is cresting with alliances formed on the blogosphere. With writings critical of the media’s culpability in blaming the victim. With the organization of boycotts.
I mean did Costello, O’Reilly or Van Susteren even mention all the organizations that banded together to get sponsors to drop out? Or how our collective actions are responsible for Letterman having to apologize not once, but twice. H-E-L-L-O! How do these folks think these actions occurred? The cable stations are truly missing what is going on with the public because it ain’t happening where they can conveniently film it and stick it up on a clip for the 5 o’clock news. It’s happening on the blogosphere.
And thank goodness in the blogosphere our voices can be heard. In the blogosphere, WE get to tell the story and if you can type, your “voice” can be heard. You don’t get edited out by a cable tv reporter because your point of view doesn’t fit their story line.
I’m just thankful to have the likes of Tina Brown and Arianna Huffington. I don’t always agree with what is written on their blogs. But we get to tell our side of the story. And I’m thankful that two of the most successful and prominent blogs/news mediums are run by women who actually do want the story line to be “what’s next” not “give it up gals it’s over.” Cuz, guess what, it ain’t over — it’s just beginning!
Good piece Amy. I completely admire your ability to write so clearly and to keep hammering at this.
Just an aside here, Gail Collins wrote an op-ed piece for the NYTimes on Sat where she called the Letterman episode a “dust-up”. I fired back a pointed response to her, saying that she is part of journalism’s quashing of sexism by brushing it aside and that women journalists like her need to wake up. Needless to say, my comments were not published. Indeed, a lot of the media is just not listening. But I believe you are right, it’s starting to get through.
Great post, Amy. I used to have a bumper sticker that said “I’ll be post-feminist in the post-patriarchy.” The fact that we still have blatant examples of sexism on mainstream media is a clear sign that feminism isn’t obsolete. The challenge, however, is that sexism has become more subtle. Women still earn less than men, but they are participating in careers that used to be closed off to them. Women who stay home with their kids are doing so because of choice, not because they feel they have to. And we had a woman run for president and come pretty darn close to winning. This is great for young girls and young women, but it also makes them feel like they don’t need to fight for their rights because they take all of this for granted. But feminism is obviously still necessary if it’s a big deal that a woman has been nominated to the Supreme Court. And feminism is still necessary if we’re constantly on the verge of losing our reproductive rights.
Bill O’Reilly and his ilk can bite me. They’re the ones who are out of touch, not the feminist movement.
Great post. But is it Carol Costello now who does the flip-flop so deftly? Or is CNN telling her to shut off her own opinions?
It was, after all, none other than Carol Costello (one of the 3 panelists with Republican Blanquita Cullum and journalist Marie Cocco) who appeared and gave her wonderfully astute, insightful commentary on:
Howard Kurtz’s ‘Reliable Sources’ historic segment on
“THE MEDIA AND MISOGYNY” –CNN, May 25, 2008.
Carol Costello, Cullum and Cocco gave their professional poignantly raw opinions on this crucial subject of Media and Misogyny and, to this date, I have yet to see a more objective, timely, hard-hitting and heart-felt discussion on an issue that will cement women’s new wave….
Thanks, Amy, for your wonderful efforts and I wish you’d post this Reliable Sources interview with Carol, Marie and Cullum–all three women from different political/professional perspectives speaking from their minds and hearts. It incredibly and prophetically reaffirms your organization’s own “mission” in North America and proves conclusively that the New Agenda is needed much more than mere party, or even national, affiliation to ensure that the inclusiveness and diversity of opinions that should be heard–with one voice.
Thanks to Amy’s post here, I just watched Howard Kurtz’s CNN special on Media and Misogyny and paid attention to what I found astonishing:
Blanquita Cullum is the highly-respected Republican woman appointed by Pres. Bush as Governor on the Broadcasting Board of Governors (and Talk Show First Amendment Charwoman) is absolutely supportive of Hillary Clinton’s right to fight for her nomination and says her own party wanted to deprive her of the right to run a credible campaign without belittlement by her own party and horrible media-bashing.
This just goes to the hear of what Amy has been writing at HuffingtonPost and Daily Beast!
Not in France it’s not:
http://syd4.blogspot.com/2009/.....e-per.html
Hate to say I told you so, but I did. Conservative hate-mongers like O’Reilly are completely uninterested in eliminating sexism. The only reason they gave you the time of day was because it was conservative darling Sarah Palin who was in the antifeminist frying pan. Cable news isn’t out of touch – it’s not interested in promoting equality for women. Nor is the NY Times, which allows columnists like Collins and Maureen Dowd to hock up furballs at will onto prominent women like Hillary Clinton. Forget them. Eventually, like Rumplestiltskin, they’ll stomp their feet a little too hard and sink into the earth.
You know, I saw a spokeswoman for this site on Foxsnews.
(Sorry it is just that time of day that my brain has farted,so I don’t exactly remember which show)But it was either O’Reilly or with Bill Sheppard.That is how I found Smart Girl Politics as well.
A recovering Liberal and newly registered Libertarian thanks to the likes of “Faux Feminist” and their incredibly dangerous antics towards women of an opposing political ideology,like Sarah Palin and Michelle Malkin.
I though that “The New Agenda” would not allow the same aggressiveness, so to speak, that I have seen elsewhere.
The purpose of Feminism is to see to it that if anything, ALL women are treated with respect,no matter where they stand politically,religiously, socially, etc.It is about women standing in solidarity. Not tearing at each other’s throats based on issues meant to divide us.
I find some of the comments left around here to the same divisiveness destroying everything that our Fore Mothers fought so hard for years ago.
I have never seen O’Reilly be sexist or heard him to such.He has a disproportionate number of female commentators on his show.Which is fine by me.He also supports “Jessica’s Law” and “It Happened to Alexis” foundation.Just because he is not “PC” enough for everyone,I see nothing that comes close to the misogyny I found at the likes of the HuffPost,or even the lies that I have caught that supposed “News” outlet put out as facts.
This comment is not about standing up for O’Reilly.
But to point out that even here I still see the “Faux Feminist’ movement working it’s way into a wonderful organization.
I think I will stick to he conservatives at least they understand solidarity for ALL women.
Jessica – To whom are you speaking – just the general “they” that can be blamed for anything and everything you don’t like?
Oh sorry.
It is kinda a general,because there are several coments I have seen just from briefly looking at the site that lead me to the assumation.
Like the comment above mine from Marilyn concerning what she has duped ‘Conservative Hate-mongers” makes a reference to Palin as the “conservative darling’.That is a,I think a good example.
I guess I was just really expecting more from this site in general after hearing about the organization.
I have always considered myself a “Feminist”.My great-grandmother was in the women’s right’s movement and a thinker far before her time.My granny chose to be a single mom w/two young children rather than be beaten to a pulp my a husband,in a time when it was just UNspeakable to do so.I could go on about the strong women in my family that have influenced me.And the women I have seen suffer.
So to hear that an organization that has Re-Newed the foundations of Feminism was just a breathe of fresh air.Only to be disappointed with the same divisiveness threatening women in this country.
But I have thought about it and I think I just set me expectations to high.So I will give it another shot.Just with my eyes wide open.
I apprecate the comment.In a way that it has made me really think about the organization.
Jessica – Ah, I see it WAS my comment that set you off. I, in fact, was very vocal in support of the Letterman boycott. No woman should have to put up with that. But I take nothing back with regard to O’Reilly and the conservatives that will go to bat for her, but crap all over Mrs. Clinton, Ms. Sotomayor, and others who aren’t spouting the party line. If you can’t see that, then I suspect you aren’t as much of a feminist as you claim to be.
Unity please all.
TNA will speak out against sexism directed at ALL women regardless of party, etc.
Think “Big Tent”!!!
Amy, I appreciate what you’re saying, but tents blow down. Women cannot just be allies because they’re women. I cannot support women who support people I feel are not humane, who hate without compunction. “Tiller the Babby Killer.” Nice.
Big tent!
Hey just what i have been looking for;)
i supported Hillary during the election.Even as a Latina I chose to vote where my conscience lays.I personally feel Sotomayor is not a good pick for the the Supreme Court based on the record not what line she stands on.I don’t think she in any way should have given up her memberships to all women clubs if a man is not suppose to give up his.Fair is still fair.
Name calling and disrespect is what it is.We can come together as women to support women and further the causes that will help us grow as citizens and people.Not just a gender.
I was not set off,just merely pointing out an obvious.I am extremly disappointed not only in the media but the very groups like NOW that were suppose to be “For” us.But now only stand for women that they don’t agree with when pushed to do so.
This I know I am not wrong about.Whether you agree with Palin or not she in No way shape or form deserves the barrage of misogyon that she has had to endure.Especially with little to no support from so called “Women’s groups”
Am I angry at them ‘Yes,I am’ and I have a right to be so.And that anger is what makes me a Feminist.Just because I do not see eye to eye with some women on the poltical spectrum does not mean that I or any other Conservative Woman will not stand by our siters on the Left for dedecency and respect. (sorry no spell check,late and I think I just had a brain fart=)).
But the the abortion issue is not the only issues that identifies us as “Feminst or Non-Feminist”.It is an issue being used to further the gap between women.Divide us so that it can send us back to an oppression of our rights.
Yes tents do blow down.But the roots of Feminsim stand strong against the storms of oppression when we recognize that those roots are cemented in fertile ground of basic a sisterhood.
“Cable news isn’t out of touch – it’s not interested in promoting equality for women. Nor is the NY Times…”
Of course not. Who sits in the “anchor” (newsreader) chair is immaterial. The money and power behind all these old media entities, and the corporations that fund them, is male.
Power concedes nothing without a fight.
We’ll see about the Internet. Because barriers to entry are lower, it has the potential to be both more democratic and more gender balanced. The monied and powerful will put a stop to that too, unless we stop them.
*****A
CNN has lost its way. It used to be a decent network, but now it continually loops Anderson Cooper and Larry King after 9 pm EST, I guess to cut costs. You would think that nothing happens overseas during the time the US is asleep.
Feminism is dead? I guess we can not have women thinking that they are people because then the world would stop spinning round on its axis, there would not be all that low cost labor and bum kissing. I would like to see CNN do a special called “Female in America,” with the same amount of promotion that “Black in America” receives. I guess racism matters because if impacts men on a broader scale than sexism does.
I think we should declare pre-Internet media dead.
Am I angry at them ‘Yes,I am’ and I have a right to be so.And that anger is what makes me a Feminist.Just because I do not see eye to eye with some women on the poltical spectrum does not mean that I or any other Conservative Woman will not stand by our siters on the Left for dedecency and respect.
That’s a tent I can get under, Jessica, and I feel the same way about conservative women. Heck, I am a conservative in some of my political opinions. But please, please don’t ask me to be respectful about a man who is neither conservative or liberal, but rather stands for a good deal of what patriarchy is about, including unthinking anger. He HAS made sexist remarks and behaved inappropriately. He does not deserve and will not get my respect. You’re better than that, too.
Marilyn as long as women can come to an understanding that true “Feminism” is not separated by political ideology.But umbrellas ALL women.Then that is all we need to agree on.=)
Anything else…well that’s your point of view and I respect it.
All I am looking for by being here is the support and respect that women deserve.When may not see eye to eye on every issue.But at least we can still stand for the sisterhood.
Have a wonderful evening:)
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