Face the Facts: Botox Has Nothing to do with Politics
Housekeeping, hairdos and Botox – this is what the Washington Examiner writes about when it comes to Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi. “Nancy Pelosi recently updated her hairdo, but if you take a closer look, you may be wondering what we are -- is that all the House-keeping she's been doing?” begins the article in today’s paper. The Examiner even took the time to seek out a plastic surgeon to give an opinion on Congresswoman Pelosi’s face.
Apparently the House Minority Leader’s appearance is more newsworthy than her efforts to pass a jobs act, her stance on recent healthcare reforms, or, you know, anything else actually relevant to her role as the one of the highest-ranking female politicians in American history. When asked by the Examiner for a comment, Pelosi’s press secretary, Drew Hammill, hit the nail on the head by telling the authors, "You are a disgrace to journalism."
This is only one example of how the disproportionate media coverage of female politicians’ appearances is just plain sexist. It distracts from the relevant issues, damages political careers, and discourages other women from running for office. Is it really too much to ask that the media pay attention to a female politician’s accomplishments in office, not her looks? Sexism and equality don’t mix, so let’s name it and change it.