Councilwoman Washington: “I will not accept misogyny”
Male politicians from Michigan have been in the hot seat this summer…and not because of Global Warming. Apparently Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero learned absolutely nothing from the whole “vagina” fiasco. This past week, during a council meeting, he referred to Councilwoman Jody Washington was “Eric Hewitt in drag.” Hewitt was a one-term former councilmember, who had what M Live describes as “an acrimonious relationship” with Bernero.
Regardless of Hewitt and Bernero’s tension-filled past, Councilwoman Washington rose above Bernero’s comment and did exactly what she was supposed to do: call out Bernero for his inappropriate and sexist remark. According to the Name It Change It candidate guide, women see more positive feedback from voters when they directly address sexist comments made against them.
Washington was able to tell the mayor, on public television, that it was simply not ok to disparage his female colleagues. She said, “I am a strong woman, and I can accept criticism, but I will not accept misogyny, whether it is from a random person on the street, or the mayor of Michigan’s capital city.”
She spoke in front of an audience, the council’s board, and the mayor himself. “The mayor should be a role model for our children across Lansing. He should approach his actions and interactions with class, and instead he is calling a female council member a woman in drag. This is unacceptable.”
Washington concluded her speech saying, “I am a woman elected to do a job, and I am working hard to do it to the best of my ability, and I am asking that further comments of this type cease immediately.”
We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.
Published by Kate McCarthy on 07/12/2012