This article discusses the strides women have made in leadership positions, and the future progression of women in leadership positions based on research studies. After interveiwing and comparing female leaders to male leaders all over the world, the researchers eventually found that women on average are just as competent, if not slightly more competent, than their male counterparts in leadership positions. Despite these findings, female leadership has actually been decreasing in recent years, just as we have learned in class.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/hbr.org/amp/2019/06/research-women-score-higher-than-men-in-most-leadership-skills

It is interesting to read about the criteria that is neccesary to be considered a good leader, but it also put bias into perspective for me. If we always took into account competency and expertise as the only reasons for hiring or promoting someone, so many people would be in places of power that otherwise would never be able to reach, while some people in power now would never be allowed to manage anyone. What are your preferences for gaging professional competency? Do you beleive that there are any other reasons- based on what we have learned in class- on why women do not get promoted as much as men do?

When Mom’s Zoom Meeting Is the One That Has to Wait

The article generally sums up the experiences of women working from home during the pandemic. It talks about how though in 2020, more women are a part of the workforce, being stuck at home with their children has taken us back more steps than forward in the cause if feminism and equality. The article talks about the experiences of some women who have had to hold off doing their work and attending zoom meetings at home because they, along with their children are all self isolating at home and the women have naturally taken on the nurturing role.

 

The article ties into class themes of how female politicians and females in the workforce in general are seen as the ones who are solely responsible to take care of household work as well as tend to their children because day cares and schools are shut down. Women in the workforce always have to face the dilemma between choosing their careers or choosing a family life if not both, whereas for men, that distinction is a lot clearer and defined. The article reminds me of female political office aspirants who are all asked if they would be able to balance a political career with their family life which men are generally not asked. Though more women are in the workforce now, and more women are starting to get into politics, the coronavirus pandemic seems to have set us back in time with regard to feminism and the struggle after the pandemic might be much worse than it already was. The article makes you think about where all societal problems stem from, and it very simply looks like all these problems start from home. How we treat and respect our peers start from our households and though we may be making social advances in society, no movement seeks to make a difference in the household level.

Daniel Craig Hosts ‘S.N.L.,’ but Elizabeth Warren Steals the Show

This article talks about Elizabeth Warren’s appearance on Saturday Night Live in March, shortly after she left the presidential race. It goes through a number of jokes she made, some directed at the media, some at her competitors, and some about herself.

I watched this episode of Saturday Night Live, and when I later watched the clips in the “I Can See Russia From My House!” module in Canvas, I was reminded of it. SNL often provides political commentary in their weekly shows, and sometimes they even get the politicians to appear. I think when they do so, it’s usually good for them, because it shows personable attributes that we don’t see in debates and speeches. In this case, Warren was able to take ownership of some of the jokes made about her – things like her supporter consisting entirely of teachers, or her specific interest in Subarus, presumably because older, liberal women are often profiled as people who like Subarus. Generally, I think the fact that she got to talk and joke about those things herself is a good thing, especially in that it combats the stereotype that women are overly sensitive, as she successfully addressed critique and other people’s jokes about her in a lighthearted, casual way.

In a Field Dominated by Men, She’s in Charge

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/05/business/women-electricians.html?searchResultPosition=1

The New York Times narrates the story of Tonya Hicks, an incredibly inspiring woman in Atlanta, Georgia.  Hicks had completed 5 years of electrician school only to be faced with an even more difficult roadblock; blatant sexism in the industry.  Hicks had been denied work, sexually harassed and told that she would not progress anywhere in her career.  Instead of complying and following what she was told, she decided to create her own space where she can live up to her full potential as an electrician.  Hicks created her own company against all odds.  2.4% of electricians are women and only 9.5% of electrical contracting businesses are owned by women.  Not only did Hicks create her own electrician business but she also helped create a venture which gives women training in male dominated industries.

I think Tonya Hicks is incredibly inspiring.  She followed her passion of building things and playing with trucks and messy things and pursued a passion in a field she is excited about.  Hicks’s struggle is not a struggle that she faces alone.  Many female politicians also face a glass ceiling between their interest areas and then gender, racial and sexual barriers and the productivity and success they could garner.  In class, we learned about Shirley Chisholm and her Presidential run.  This reminds me a lot of Hicks’s story.  Chisholm was a hard worker, had great policy initiatives and had a good amount of support, however, she was widely looked at as the “joke” candidate due to her gender and religion.  Hicks is also very well qualified, smart, hardworking, and great at her job, but she too had many doubters and disbelievers.  I am happy she is able to prove them wrong as she expands her company to Europe next year.

Is Biden Gaining Older Voters, and Losing Young Ones?

This New York Times article compares Joe Biden’s current polling against Donald Trump to Hillary Clinton’s in the 2016 election. Overall, Biden’s poll numbers reflect Clinton’s very similarly, but the article notes some differences between them.

In class, we’ve learned about the effects of gender and age, among other things, on voting. Hillary Clinton won the majority of women’s votes in the 2016 general election, including the majority of young women’s votes. The article discusses the differences between Biden’s and Clinton’s voting populations, and it seems noteworthy that Biden seems to have more support than Clinton did among the oldest voters, but less among the youngest. The article also discusses the possibility that Biden may have more support among women than Clinton did based on recent polls, although it’s not certain whether this is true, because this may be a result of Biden’s success with a different demographic.

When Mom’s Zoom Meeting Is the One That Has to Wait

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/22/us/politics/women-coronavirus-2020.html

Social interaction has been narrowed down to essentially one platform over the course of the past month: zoom. According to the NYTimes article, women who earn a lower salary than their significant others are often also handed domestic work. These adjustments are tolling for all, but added aggravations falling onto a single person causes anxiety and affirm gender roles. For Saba Lurie, the stress became so great “Her bathroom became an emergency office.” Lurie has been tending to her two daughters while her husband continues in his normal routine. As a private psychotherapist, many of her clients have expressed the same sentiment. Prior to the crisis, women spent four hours a day doing unpaid work compared to 2.5 hours for men. This has only worsened with the outbreak. Having childcare has gone out the window for most and is hitting after stinging political defeats for women. The two seemed disconnected, but the representation remains constant; lacking and discouraging. This is a topic we discussed at the very beginning of the semester as we reviewed gender roles. I️  find it disappointing to hear how these issues have been dismissed in the wake of an emergency. While it may not be urgent nor deadly, it is important and changes the trajectory of the lives of countless females and male counterparts.

FDA eases restrictions on blood donations from gay and bisexual men during coronavirus pandemic

The Food and Drug Administration has opened up some previously strict guidelines and now is permitting gay and bisexual men to donate blood. This is due to the oncoming shortage of blood supplies during the pandemic and the FDA wishes to reach out to as many safe, healthy and willing donors as possible. 

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/04/02/coronavirus-fda-revises-rules-gay-bisexual-men-donating-blood/5114874002/

There are a few guidelines that are much more relaxed now that the pandemic is in full swing. For one, male donors should not donate if they have had anal sex with another man in the last three months, which has been significantly reduced from a full calendar year preciously. This time span was also reduced for women who have has sex with a man who had sex with another man in the last year, which has now also been reduced to three months. 

I am completely amazed that these guidelines have been around since the 1980s AIDs epidemic, and have not gotten changed until now. Still, this change seems temporary, but I feel as if it’s fair to say that if we can accept blood from these individuals now in a time fo need, we should continue to open up the opportunity for them under these relaxed guidelines permanently. I feel as if we changed these rules months ago, even years ago, we would have been in such a blood shortage as we’re in right now. At the time of this implication, the AIDs crisis was at its peak and our medical knowledge of handling the disease was minimal. Now, over 30 years later, we now far more than we did and are closer to finding a cure than ever before. However, I believe that there is still a reason these regulations have been staying around this long. I still link it back to the stereotypes of gay and bisexual men. These men are prejudiced and this is clear by the fact that we are still practicing thee outrageous rules today. 

Personally, I believe that if they’re good enough to help during a crisis, then they are good enough to help always. Of course, we should keep some regulations in place, like the 3-month abstinence minimum to qualify to donate. This is to ensure the safety of those who are receiving the blood. But a full year is ridiculous and now it looks like these men are a convenience. 

Who gets a ventilator in a shortage? ‘Can’t buy your way into salvation,’ NJ governor says

New Jersey has created a state-wide plan deciding who would be issued ventilators and other critical medical supplies in the case of an emergency. That emergency being if the state (or even the region) runs out of supplies to save everyone who contracts COVID-19. The policy does clearly state that people will not be turned away/denied based on their race, ethnicity, sexuality or gender, insurance, age, etc.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/04/14/coronavirus-who-gets-ventilators-shortage-new-jersey-adopts-plan/2989244001/

Governor Murphy of New Jersey stands behind this policy because he believes that every state should have an emergency plan in case. this plan is not to be used unless absolutely necessary, but it is a reasonable and equitable plan if need-be. He said that an individual basis will be accounted for, and no one will be denied access based on their character, wealth or self-worth. But rather, the individual’s current state of health on a 1 to 8 scale will be used. If they are likely to survive on their own without the need for assistance, they will be far less likely to get it than someone who could die if they are not put on a breathing machine. 

He said “you cannot buy your way into salvation” and that absolutely struck home with me. I am pleasantly surprised by Murphy’s choice to use a religious anecdote because even if one does not believe in salvation, the quote reigns true with numerous other things. Generally speaking, in a time of crisis, and ideally, at any time, a person with money or status should not be chosen before someone without these assets. We are all human and we all have needs in one way or another. We often find that those who have insurance or those who pay for medical costs out of pocket tend to be “the first pick” and have more choice in their medical care. But thankfully, according to Governor Murphy, the state will do their absolute best to ensure not one race or gender or socioeconomic class will be chosen above another. We see across the nation that African Americans are subject to poor health insurance and thus have lower rates of seeing doctors. If more plans were put in place like this, then maybe we would see the trends change. 

For Black Men, Fear That Masks Will Invite Racial Profiling

African American men (and women) are living on edge as many counties and cities across the nation are requiring masks to be worn in public. This is leading to many of them feeling as if they will become harassed or even physically threatened by both the police and citizens. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/14/us/coronavirus-masks-racism-african-americans.html?searchResultPosition=4

Many African Americans are afraid to go out in public wearing masks now that the nation’s health officials are strongly recommending states to require face masks to be worn whenever one goes into a store, restaurant or other building. These individuals are afraid because it could draw unnecessary an increasing amount of attention to them. Especially for me, who are already afraid to go out at night because they’re afraid someone will find them threatening or physically endangering. And sadly, not only are African Americans more likely to be profiled for covering their faces, but they also are at a disproportionately higher likelihood of contracting the virus, to begin with. 

I feel like this is horribly true and this says a lot about where the nation stands today. Just as soon as we like to think that we’re making significant progress, we still are having our black communities worry about profiling and racial harassment. To me, this can open a doorway for corrupt/racist individuals (citizens and police alike) to accuse African Americans of doing something illegal just because of the way they’re dressing or the type of mask they have on. Many people across the country are wearing scarfs or bandanas to cover their mouths but that cannot be so easily done for some. Many African Americans are afraid that they will be mistaken for a gang member or a criminal and will be treated poorly or even not allowed to enter a store. I never would have thought to look through the lens of race when it comes to COVID-19, but this sadly is turning into an excuse to revert back to old ways and find excuses to discriminate rather than band together and get through it as a nation. 

I Spent Two Years Trying to Fix the Gender Imbalance in My Stories

https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/02/i-spent-two-years-trying-to-fix-the-gender-imbalance-in-my-stories/552404/]

Yong is a reporter who, when reviewing her articles, found she interviews and covers men as sources for stories significantly more than women. The issue is not a lack of credibility or knowledge by women, but gender bias. This is an example of how women are overlooked for the same work as male counterparts. Specifically, in science, women face a barrier men do not have to simply because of their gender. Yong went forward intentionally balancing men and women the same as sources after the run-in she opened with. She held herself accountable with a spreadsheet, which I think is an amazing, simple idea. She found she needed to quote more women to get a better balance. She suspects the reason is that women assume they are not the right fit.

As a woman, this story interested me from the getgo. Too often, men are perceived as more knowledgable or credible in all fields.  What I took away is how it only takes a little bit more effort to create this balance, literally. Yong said she found herself only doing 15 minutes more worth of sourcing per piece. That was encouraging in the sense that it proves this is not impossible to do. I think it would be interesting to conduct the same study on myself.