Alan Ferguson

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  Alan commented on the article | over 2 years ago

  NY Daily News Cartoon Suggests “Gagging” Sen. Gillibrand

  The sexism test is whether the cartoon works with a man or a woman, and it certainly does in this case.  If the above cartoon was referencing Joe Biden (also guilty of not shutting up) its highly unlikely that it would be controversial at all. 

  
  

  I'm always supportive of feminism and I feel that these observations/accusations feed the caricature of the feminist who slaps misogyny labels on everything in the media. 

  
  

  I voted NO a couple of times on that poll, there's no sense in influencing a YES opinion.  This would almost be a shutout cut and dry argument that there's no misogyny in the cartoon, but damn that sock looks like a penis.

  
  

   

  
  

   

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  Alan commented on the article | almost 3 years ago

  Pretty = Dumb? Now, That's Just Stupid.

  It seems like 2009 and beyond looks great for embracing equality and dignity.  Things don't seem to be getting worse - they were certainly not better 30 years ago.  For the beautiful woman considered dumb - she has to work just as hard as the stud does to break through as an intellect.  
  Its the price the beautiful people pay.  You get advantages here, here and here, but when you have dumb moments, the other humans love to bundle up your beauty/airheadedness.  If Tina Fey said something stupid in an interview, I would definitely give her a free pass.  She's brilliant, and any missteps are probably circumstantial.  
  Direct answer - the beautiful woman considered dumb until competent won't be considered dumb once she demonstrates her aptitude.  Beautiful people are given enough advantages as it is.  Humans don't like admitting that someone else might be 100% better than them, smarter and more attractive, haha.  
  Its hard to sympathize with someone who's beautiful, intelligent and has a position of power yet sits there whining about how people 'think' that he/she is dumb.  Its not a gender issue, schedule yourself in an educated presentation next week, and stop complaining, person - you have it all! 
  I just don't want to give the benefit of the doubt to someone who is actually incompetent, beautiful and running a company.  It would be really easy for them to hide behind this stance you propose, Jen.  Some people are treated like they are dumb because thats an accurate assessment of their mental wealth.  It seems like the truly intelligent women/men would exude their mental prowess regardless of beauty, no?

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  Alan commented on the article | almost 3 years ago

  Pretty = Dumb? Now, That's Just Stupid.

  I like this post, Jen.  I don't disagree with any of your bullet points per se, but I have some amendments.  
  Its unfortunate that a beautiful woman in a high position of power would be assumed to be a dunce, yes.  I'd like to think that I'm on board with the new wave that doesn't make any early judgments on an attractive manager.  
  Is it fair to say that while not every attractive manager is 'dumb,' almost all 'dumb' managers are attractive?
  If I told you that this guy http://tinyurl.com/7w7te9 was a VP Exec of a multimillion dollar company and that this guy http://tinyurl.com/7lb5uo was a high ranking officer at his company, what are your first thoughts?  They're both more than competent, but it is not sexist or crazy for you to initially assume that these studs milked the "who you know" cow instead of the "what you know" cow. 
  There are endless combinations and degrees of attractiveness vs. positions of power, so its hard to come up with a blanket statement that will always hold true.  
  My best shot at a statement that covers both sides of the bias is simply that attractive managers regardless of sex need to be aware that they might be considered 'guilty until proven innocent' ('dumb' until proven 'competent') in the workplace.  
  Once we hear these hotties eloquently discussing risk management and the fundamentals of their business approach to surviving the recession, we forever discontinue doubting their competence.  
  I do not agree with a movement toward assuming 'competent' until proven 'dumb' because there are many socialites that shmooze into positions that the educated and hard-working are denied.  In the name of preserving hard-earned professional respect, I don't give any intellect points out to anyone until they are earned.  
  Also, I like Tina Fey as your graphic, but you didn't really explain her story.  She's an excellent example of someone who wasn't attractive until later in life, and achieved her success with her wit and intellect.  On top of that, she constantly exudes intelligence in every appearance, and forces her beauty to take a backseat to her mind.  Thats the way to do it.  I love 30 Rock.