SarahWurrey.com

My first feminist role model was, undeniably, Julia Sugarbaker of “Designing Women”.

This character knew her way around a takedown, whether expressing her point of view on sexual harrassment or standing up to a bitchy beauty queen.

In short, Julia Sugarbaker didn’t take any crap from anyone; nor did she suffer fools easily.

I think I can say with authority that the smart and talented women in social media, particularly those at Podcamp Boston 4 last weekend, all have a little Julia in them. How else can we describe the spirited and thoughtful posts springing out of the Podcamp discussion on gender and social media?

So why do I still feel so disheartened?

I think it’s because by and large, the women on the lawn that day seemed to fall in step behind Chris Penn’s conclusions. To wit, that sexism, or a “glass ceiling” effect, has nothing to do with the lack of women on the social media “A-list.” That anyone who thinks so is just falling victim to “self imposed limitations.”

The idea seems to be that if women aren’t succeeding, they have only themselves to blame. Quite a convenient theory, I’d say.

The argument that claiming sexism plays a part in any challenge we face is encouraging women to “play the victim” is far from new. It’s a straw man that’s tapped repeatedly in debates about feminism. And it positively reeks of privilege. Male privilege specifically, although the number of women adhering to it also hints that it might also be privilege of experience. That is, if you haven’t experienced something personally, it must not exist.

In an old but good post about privilege, Barry Deutsch quotes a paper on white privilege. Its author argues that white people are “taught to see racism only in individual acts of meanness, not in invisible systems conferring dominance on my group.”

With regards to sexism, it’s the “invisible system” that was the crux of my comments during the Podcamp gender discussion. It’s not always about some tangible, moustache-twirling man making a conscious decision to discriminate against women, or keep them off the stage at conferences. I argued that cultural issues are at play here, unspoken “rules” that we’re taught from a young age, and the constant messages we receive about women in the public eye. We are scrutinized far more closely, and judged much more harshly. We’re bombarded with messages that our appearance matters more than anything.

I mentioned at the sesssion popular livecaster iJustine as a woman who has “made it” in social media. Is it a coincidence that, along with being very smart working very hard, she is also a blonde bombshell? On the flip side, someone should ask her how much disgusting, sexual, or harassing email she gets. Someone should read about Julia Roy’s experiences being an attractive woman at the top of the social media game. Better yet, go back and read the story of what happened to Kathy Sierra.

Something tells me the men on the A-list aren’t dealing with these types of issues. Is it any wonder we might be somewhat reluctant to promote ourselves? What are the auto-suggestions when you type “iJustine is” into Google?

Naturally. As a woman if you’re hot, you’re golden. Unless of course you have opinions. Then you’re also annoying. Can’t have that.

Penn’s major comment during the session was that it “doesn’t care what’s between your legs, just between your ears.”

I was shocked at this statement, and moreso that the group actually erupted into applause after he said it. I basked in the irony that everyone seemed to think he was making some sort of statement on equality by using provocative language that dismisses the entire feminist movement as, basically, a bunch of whining vaginas.

Have there not ALWAYS been women with plenty going on between their ears? Are there not currently TONS of women in social media who are incredibly smart, incredibly accomplished, and incredibly under-represented everywhere–from the stage at SxSW to the Power 150?

Chris says we need to just “be awesome.” I’m sorry, I was unaware that we weren’t already awesome. I can name at least 100 awesome women right now. Why is it the responsibility for changing the state of affairs all on us?

Continuing his odd inclination to use language in this debate that boils women down to their genitals, Chris says of Michelle Wolverton, the terrific lead organizer of Podcamp Boston, that she “didn’t become lead organizer of the first and oldest PodCamp by demanding a chance because she’s got a vagina.”

Excuse me, but what? Find me one example of any woman who has written or spoken about this issue who has claimed that women should be given more speaking roles becuase of our “vaginas.”

This seems to be a consistent confusion, so let me clear it up right now. No one is saying that conference organizers just pick any old women off the street and give them a mic just because they’re women. No one.

We’re saying that women who are already equally deserving of these chances, women who ARE “awesome,” have been overlooked. And we’re asking that it be corrected.

One of my besties, Sara, is totally famous! Also, you should sign the petition if you happen to live in the Northern Virginia area. Check it out.

Stevie Wonders why he's sharing a stage with Shakira, too.

I attended the “We are One” concert on the National Mall yesterday. I had preemo, VIP seating of course. Sure, I didn’t have a ticket, but you should have seen my own private jumbotron right in front of the Washington Monument…right next to the 400,000 other people who were there, heh.

Regardless, it was amazing. The Mall was packed from Lincoln to Washington and beyond, and everyone was just about bursting over with joy and excitement. I’ve attended two other inaugurations, one Dem (Clinton 96, which was rather ho-hum) and one GOP (Bush 2000, which was naturally significantly affected by the weeks-long Florida mess), and I’ve honestly never seen anything like this. I voted for Clinton in the primary, I was never even that in the tank for Obama, but even I couldn’t help but be overwhelmed by it all.

It wasn’t all “Yay, ‘Murrica,” though, there were also some great performances, some whacky pairings and awkward moments. Here’s my rundown:

Most Surreal “Only in DC” Moment: Amid thousands of revelers were naturally some protesters looking to cash in on the captive audience. So, on Constitution Ave there were a group of religious zealots holding signs that read “Homo-sex is a threat to national security” and “God will punish the homo’s (sic)”. People were heckling them a bit, but when two older gay men started making out right in front of them, everyone on the street started cheering, and the guy with the megaphone was speechless for a couple moments before he started back in with his rants. It made my plan about snootily informing them of the massive typo on their signs seem somehow less effective.

Craziest Presenter: I’m going to have to go with Kumar (aka actor Kal Penn) on this one. How many people who don’t watch “House” even know who this guy is? The people in my section were either saying “Kumar!” or “…who??” when he was announced. But considering Rosario Dawson was also present (after hosting “SNL” the night before..when did she suddenly become hot? What has she even been in lately? Am I getting old for not knowing?) (Don’t answer that…), I’m thinking you didn’t necessarily have to be A-list to take part. Obama is inclusive to all crappy celebrities!

Best Unintentional Comedy: This one is a tough category, considering we had the poor Navy guy kind of botching the national anthem, and a couple of bald eagles who looked like they were being tortured as the audience murmured in horror, but it obviously goes to Obama’s niece, who was passed out cold behind him and showed up every time the jumbotron cut to the president-elect awkwardly bopping his head to the music. I honestly cannot do the comedy justice, you really had to be there, the crowd went nuts every time they showed her.

Zzzz....

Biggest Chills/Tears Moment: As my friend Jeff said afterwards, “I got the chills so many times I think I am going to catch a cold.” He was right, there were a lot of chills-worthy moments, and some amazing performances. But honestly, the moment that I got a little choked up came when Mellencamp did “Pink Houses.” The crowd was way, way into it, singing along to the chorus (..”ain’t that America, home of the free”) and his perfomance was the best of the day up to that point. It helped that it followed a fairly boring speech from Biden. The crowd needed a little energy, and Mellencamp delivered (even though I still call him “John Cougar Mallomar” in my head, as an extremely obscure “Beavis and Butthead” reference) (yes, I’m 12).

Lamest Attempt at Chills/Tears (FAIL): Tom Hanks and his extended, boring as hell tribute to Abe Lincoln. Lincoln got props all day long, naturally. Quotes and close-ups on his portrait and the even the monument itself was lit in a way I’ve never seen in all my years in DC. It was pretty special, right up until Hanks and his overinflated sense of “Tom Hanks-Wannabe American History Professor Since 1994″ bravado came in and bored the crowd to tears in an endless monologue. I’m normally moved by such things, but found myself saying, “Screw this, where the hell is Beyonce?”

Biggest Letdown: Beyonce was pure class and fully awesome at signing “America the Beautiful,” but I was fully disappointed she didn’t end up stopping halfway through and ripping off her conservative trenchcoat get up to reveal her “Single Ladies” leotard get-up and launching into “..if you like it then you shoulda put a ring on it!” Tell me Sasha and Malia wouldn’t have loved that.

Biggest Letdown Part Two: Okay. Someone explain to me why on EARTH Stevie Wonder had to share the stage with Usher and Shakira?? Is it suddently 2003, because that’s the last time I remember either of them being all that relevant, and Stevie is a freaking legend. I’m sure it was quite the moment for them, but he deserved way better than that. U2, who aren’t even American, get two full songs (not that they weren’t great, they were…but not the best; more on that later) and Stevie has to sit up there with Shakira’s crappy “Joe Lieberman with acid reflux voice” warbling in his ear? Where is the justice in that?? I did love that they did “Higher Ground” though, which will always and forever be known to me only as “that song from ‘Center Stage‘”.

Cheesiest “Awww” Moment: I honestly don’t think I’ll ever be involved in another 400,000 person singalong of “This Land is Your Land” ever again. It was utterly heartwarming (even for a cranky cynic like me) and adorable, as was Pete Seeger’s banjo and hat. Though I really wanted him to wear a coat, what is he, 80?

Hands Down, Best Moment of the Day: Garth Brooks by a country (heh) mile. He was amazing. Others have complained that U2 got only two songs and Stevie only one, while Garth got three…but man. I challenge anyone to get either of those other two to recreate the electricity in the crowd when he did “Shout.” It was phenomenal. This was the best video I could find of it so far, and it doesn’t even come close to matching what it was like to be there in person. I wouldn’t throw around the words “unbridled joy” without thinking twice, but that’s really what it was.

That’s my wrap-up. Were you there? Did you watch on TV? What were your favorite moments?

(I really hope those eagles are ok, better than these Eagles anyway, heh…)