Emily
MikeThere’s been a lot of buzz about the latest Newsweek cover, which depicts Sarah Palin posing like a beauty queen in running shorts and sneakers. Palin herself has spoken out against the cover, stating:
The choice of photo for the cover of this week’s Newsweek is unfortunate. When it comes to Sarah Palin, this “news” magazine has relished focusing on the irrelevant rather than the relevant. The Runner’s World magazine one-page profile for which this photo was taken was all about health and fitness – a subject to which I am devoted and which is critically important to this nation. The out-of-context Newsweek approach is sexist and oh-so-expected by now. If anyone can learn anything from it: it shows why you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, gender, or color of skin. The media will do anything to draw attention – even if out of context.
A lot of people agree with what she’s saying, even if they don’t like her politics. Still, others make the point that she did participate in this photoshoot, even though it wasn’t for this magazine, and she’s made the decision to shape her image this way.
I’m torn. Personally, I want Sarah Palin to go away. But, you know, if wishes were horses… Therefore, given what we have to work with, I don’t agree with Newsweek’s choice to use this photo. (Though from a business perspective I understand why they’d do this). Palin’s right that it’s been taken out of context to make her look silly and trivialized. I’d make the argument that she does a pretty good job herself at looking silly, and doesn’t need the help of mainstream news sources. She’s a politcal figure for better or worse (read: worse), and women in politics don’t need to be trivialized even more than they already are . And no, I don’t think they’d treat a man this way. Palin’s photo makes more sense in the context it was originally taken– highlighting her commitment to running and fitness with a series of photos of her in exercise gear, stretching, etc. Palin isn’t thoughtful or honest about choosing her sexism battles, and she’s never going to fool me into thinking she’s really looking out for women other than herself– and I don’t think this cover is the most atrocious thing in the world, but still, I say: Palin’s a hypocrite, ignorant, and bad for women. But so is this Newsweek cover.
What do you think?
Filed under: Politics, Pop Culture, Stereotyping Tagged: | newsweek, sarah palin, sexism
She crafted her own image, although “craft” gives her way too much credit. It was a mistake for her to pose in this manner for the health magazine to begin with–if you want to be taken seriously, how about looking less like you’re trying to capitalize on your appearance? THAT’S sexist.
[...] Various people around the internet agree with Palin that the cover is sexist. Other people disagree. Some of us remember [...]
I too want Sarah Palin to go away, but I also think this photo was an unfortunate choice by Newsweek. It clearly trivializes Palin, and that isn’t what a news magazine should be doing. Let her own words and actions trivialize her, not a photo that was shot for a totally different purpose.
Yes. I get that the media is all for sensationalizing stories, but if Newsweek wants to position itself as a legitimate news magazine, it shouldn’t rely on things like this. Like you said, Palin’s own words and actions should be enough to trivialize her.
I mean her elbow.
Didn’t even notice the flag issue. Very weird choice.
Sh is being disrespectful by leaning her hand on that flag
Ultra-Right-Wing drivel.
There is absolutely nothing Newsweek could have done that would have satisfied sexist idiots.