The War on Women: And The Media Thinks It's BS, Too.
Audrey Sowell
Parks & Recreation Leslie Knope Inspired Art
Though the ‘War on Women’ is approaching its second year, and for some odd reason, the inside of our pants have transformed into furrows full of men extremely interested in what goes on in there, the past month has been momentous. Talk of the Personhood Bill and other related women’s healthcare issues have made their way through Congress, countless news headlines, and pretty much everyone’s mouths; yet I’ve refused to discuss them here, no matter how relevant the subjects are to women, the nation, or this blog’s focus. However, when I saw this video today that pokes fun at the hilarious case for men being in charge of women’s health, I knew it was just too good to pass up.
I still refuse to discuss the Personhood bill itself or what’s going on in Congress, so don’t get too excited, but what I do want to talk about is the encouraging media coverage of and response to the Bill, birth control, and women’s healthcare.
Like this Funny or Die video that parodies Congress’ birth control panel (which was free of any female presence), the majority of media outlets are taking the satirical approach to discussing these issues — an incredibly encouraging stance.
Jezebel.com, alone, has run numerous pieces in the past weeks regarding the issues. Based solely on the headlines, I’m sure you can guess the tone of the pieces. Here are a few of my favorites:
Bishops Still Sulking Over Birth Control Coverage
Anti-Planned Parenthood Video Is the Most Hilariously Lewd Thing You’ll Ever See
Congressional Birth Control Hearing Involves Exactly Zero People Who Have a Uterus
Santorum Backer’s Idea of Birth Control: Sluts Should Keep their Legs Closed
Nancy Pelosi is Sick of this Birth Control Bullshit, Too
Meet the ‘Inappropriate’ Female Witness Barred From Speaking at the Birth Control Hearing
Ridiculous but True: Rick Santorum Thinks Abortion Providers Deserve Jail Time
Congress Doesn’t ‘Really’ Care What Women Think About Birth Control
Rapidly Expanding Religious Hospitals Are Trying to Govern Ladyparts
Texas Sensibly Rejects Federal Funding That Would Provide Poor Women Medical Care
Granted, Jezebel.com is known for it’s feministic agenda so this coverage comes as no surprise, but they are certainly not alone in their approach. Most of these stories carry over from more straightforward news outlets like the NY Times, Chicago Tribune, MSNBC, and CNN — something that would’ve never happened twenty years ago —Jezebel simply put their style stamp on the stories.
As women, it’s incredibly hard to see what’s going on right now and not feel discouraged with our place. And while it may seem like we are currently the lowest ranked we’ve ever been in history — being stripped of rights to our own bodies that our foremothers fought so hard for — keep in mind that we are actually making some strides (in at least one arena).
Yes, it is saddening how little conservative politicians, and their supporters, care about women today. But the good news is how asinine the media seems to find the government’s current agenda on these issues, and they aren’t afraid to point it out.
We all know how fast the media can squash politicians hopes and dreams when they put their mind to it, so here’s hoping those Congressional jerks pull one more great display of idiocracy and fully piss the media off. Then, maybe those guys will be too worried about keeping their own balls to worry about our vaginas. A girl can always dream…
What do you think about the media’s coverage of these issues? Promising? Or do they have no control? Leave me some comments, and a little love! Or hate, your choice!