Media Coverage of Prominent Women

Is anyone else tired of how women are portrayed by the media?

The most prominent example of disparity right now is Sarah Palin. Politics aside, asking if she can do the job and still raise a family is SEXIST (and insulting). Suggesting that if she had stayed home and paid more attention to raising her kids than running Alaska then her 17-year-old wouldn't be pregnant is ridiculous. Has anyone told Dick Cheney that if he stayed home and paid more attention to his daughter that she wouldn't be gay? Has anyone told President Bush that if he stayed home and paid more attention to his girls they wouldn't have been caught drinking underage?

Hey media - if you wouldn't ask that question of a man.... then don't ask it of a woman. Have some standards and follow them! Have none of you ever seen the 2000 movie The Contender? If not then you should. It directly relates to this situation. A woman runs for vice president and the media start asking sexist questions - and making unfounded assumptions. Sound familiar?????

My next example of poor media coverage of a woman is more local. Those of you living in Detroit or Michigan in general know what I am talking about. The coverage of Christine Beatty in the local media is absolutely sexist. Week after week the media post beautiful, perfect, touch-up photos of ex-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. I am assuming this is a "stock" photo released to the public of the Mayor.

The local media have access to the same type of "stock" photo of Beatty - yet they constantly run unflattering, harried, and downright ugly photos of Beatty. I understand the woman is charged with multiple violations and has not been the most forthcoming with information. But, the fact that the media uses DECENT, RESPECTABLE, and HANDSOME photos of Kilpatrick (who chose to step down and take his medicine) they should give the same to Beatty.

I am just asking for some gender equity here folks. Let's try and live in a new century and give both men and women the respect they deserve. If you aren't doing something to the men.... DON'T DO IT TO THE WOMEN!