Feminist Theory

As a sophomore in college, I was planning to stay in Chicago for a summer journalism internship. I was short on funds so I decided to apply for the Chicago chapter of the Association for Women Journalists summer scholarship.

I asked one of my mentors/professors to write me a recommendation letter, which she was happy to do, but with a small warning. She wanted me to know that she hadn't ever put much stock in organizations that are for subgroups of the profession. "We're all journalists," she said. "Regardless of our gender or our race."

This was a woman who was in the newsroom being her tough, hard-nosed journalist self while the men around her doubted her right and/or ability to be there.

In all of the newsrooms I've been in since then, either visiting or working, I've never felt that anyone doubted my right to be there because I was a woman. I've never had a man talk down to me in an interview because I'm just a little girl reporter. I know our society is not "post-gender" but it just does not make any sense to me that my gender would ever hold me back. However, the numbers don't lie so in the Alternet article, I agree that women benefit from the feminist media because it promotes their interests. Hopefully, there will be a time when the numbers are more equally and people aren't just getting old, white, uppermiddleclass men's view of the news.


In other related news, there has been controversy at the Loyola Phoenix about a shout-out done by the Sports Section (run by two males), but read by the copy editors, managing editor and the editor-in-chief (six females) before it went to press.

The offensive statement written by Raf Onak read: "Rihanna should have known that Brown doesn't take any crap from anyone: Is ya man, on the flow? If he ain't let me know. Let me see if you can run it, run it, girl indeed I can run it, run it. Obviously he's a man who likes to be in charge."

The apology also written by Onak read: "In response to 12.11.09's Shout-Out to Chris Brown, I apologize to my fellow students, professors and administrators who were offended and disappointed by the crude comments. The decision to ridicule domestic violence was inappropriate and ill-considered. I did not intend to condone or reward the event that occurred. Neither I, nor the Loyola Phoenix as a newspaper, justifies domestic abuse in any way, shape or form. The Shout-Out to Brown was intended to be a joke and was not aimed to hurt anyone. We apologize to those who were dismayed in the process and appreciate the letters of concern."

Personally, I don't have the responsibility of reading the sports section before it goes to press. The editor-in-chief and managing editor were not aware of the Chris Brown/Rihanna domestic abuse situation, therefore, they read it and didn't think twice about it. I conveyed to them my deep disappointment in them and in Onak for writing such an absurdly offensive "joke" in the Phoenix that represents the student body and that the whole staff pours so much energy into just to see our reputation harmed by his carelessness.

The Women Studies and Gender Studies department are holding a forum to further discuss the issue of domestic abuse in the media. It is important that these women have brought this important topic to the forefront of the university's attention. However, I believe the Phoenix as part of the media has a greater responsibility to take a role in the dialogue that is continuing on campus. It is important to acknowledge the role we play in creating dialogue about women and gender issues such as this.