RECLAIM THE DAY! A Call to Action by Anita Hill

Fifteen years ago, in a book defending Clarence Thomas’s selection for the Supreme Court, author David Brock described me as “nutty” and “slutty.” After making millions in book sales, Brock recanted and confessed that he was “blinded” by his own financial and political ambitions. Last month Don Imus described the members of the Rutgers Basketball team as “nappy-headed hos.” A week of protests resulted in Imus losing his lucrative television and radio contracts with MSNBC and CBS respectively. Yet, Imus is reported to be suing CBS for the $40 million remaining on his contract claiming the network encouraged him to be “confrontational and irreverent.”

Because the debasement of women continues to sell and derogatory terms for women have become part of popular discourse, I’m convinced that we need more than Brock recanting or Imus being fired. We need a movement to counter the verbal assaults on women that flow freely in modern media outlets and that have now crept into our workplaces and are increasing in our schools. In addition to our efforts to “Take Back the Night,” we need to “Reclaim the Day!”

I’m not talking about censoring artists or comics.  What I want is positive entertainment and educational programming that replaces or, at the very least, balances the negative.   

It is true that many women struggle financially and continue to suffer abuse and discrimination. Yet, today, women as a group are more economically self-sufficient and better educated than ever.  We can use our brains and our spending power to develop and support programming that portrays women (and men) realistically. 

Please share with me your ideas about how this can happen. (E-mail: Anita@womensmediacenter.com) If you do, I promise to use all of the resources available to me to see that you are heard by those who can make them a reality.

--Anita F. Hill

Original article posted here, and reprinted with permission of the author.

Comments

[Anonymous]

"Cease and desist!" is my reaction towards the debasement of women. I don't think there is a balancing act adequate to be the counterweight against the media's negative stereotypes of women.

I believe Imus loosing out on his lucrative contracts is a step in the right direction. This trend must be continued by record labels that put a stop to debasing rap lyrics and Hollywood movie makes that continue to objectify women. Especially black women. But—realistically—it's not going to happen because smut sells. But, why does it sell? Parents, schools, churches, and communities must better educate the youth so they understand that calling someone a "ho" (and worse) is inappropriate. Children much be raised to understand that consuming music and movies that contain that langue is not acceptable. Many will holler in outrage "freedom of speech!", but what happened to "freedom of dignity"? Everyone in America and the world has the right to be treated with respect more than someone has the right to say whatever they want and hide behind first-amendment rights. But I say, what right has anyone to insult others?

Unfortunately, women seem to be such easy targets. We need to stop enabling rappers and radio hosts to say what they want to say by no longer listening to them. At home, in neighborhoods, at school, and at work we must stop backing down when we are insulted. Why? Insulting women is so ingrained in this culture that people don't even realize that what they say and do is offensive.

You, Anita Hill, and the Rutgers team took a great step forward by standing up and speaking out against this injustice, and I applaud you. More women must follow your lead and feel empowered to speak up everyday when they are called "b-----," when they are passed over for well-deserved raises in the workplace, when we continued to be objectified by media types. We need to stand up and not only "reclaim the day" but reclaim ourselves. We need to send a message that we're not going to take it anymore!

One of the best things we can do is begin asking the government to back programs that support women's advocacy in schools. Culturally, I don’t think women are taught to stand up for themselves as boys are. We need to change that by empowering women and girls to speak up for themselves. For those of us with daughters or nieces, we must set a great example for them. Women that are community and national leaders must also take a strong stand against the debasement of women as well if this movement is to succeed.