Melyssa Ford, I’m SORRY!!!!!!!
Today, Bossip posted our video of Melyssa Ford encouraging everyone to mail back their census forms. (The forms will be hitting your mailboxes in March.) While I am super appreciative that they showed love and threw up our video, I was a little surprised to see how they spun it.
More after the jump.
Instead of focusing on Ford’s message, they questioned whether she could actually be a legit spokesperson, given that she was once a video model. They also posted a semi nude picture of her. The picture appears to be from earlier in Ford’s career.
I understand that Bossip is a snarky gossip blog and that anything goes, but I was a little taken aback. Because I was connected to the post, I thought more critically about how the story was being framed. And couldn’t help but thinking that it sucked that the model/actress was being presented that way. After all, it’s not like we gave her a script, or even paid her to discuss the census. She did it because she was passionate about the issue. (When I first saw the video I was actually hecka excited that she was so articulate. I can tell you from first hand experience most entertainers have no clue about the process.)
As the day went on I became more and more frustrated about the post. It made me think about my male privilege and how men aren’t only defined by our sexuality. Yes, Melyssa Ford was a video model, but she is clearly a talented young lady who has much to offer the world. (I also read somewhere that she actually hasn’t been in a music video in five years.)
I understand Bossip’s shtick. But it made think; it’s crazy as hell that we allow women to be presented like this ALL the time. At some point we have to come to grips that our patriarchy is preventing us from becoming empowered communities. Nobody is able to become a complete person in this crazy environment.
As a straight man, I have to admit that I am no saint. I struggle with my ego, and my perceptions of gender on a daily basis. But I promise that I am going to use Bossip’s blog post to push myself to become better at challenging my own male privilege and patriarchy in general. After all, our communities will never become stronger if we don’t improve the status quo.
wow,this is really cool,a man discussing male privilege and patriarchy. keep up the good work.
Good look, Biko for the insightful response to the post. I made the mistake of opening up the post at work and DAMN!
We have to do a better job of celebrating when a young person, star, model whatever..steps up and uses their name and reputation to uplift our communities. Ms. Ford should be admired and lifted up for her leadership, not mocked.
I ain’t mad at Bossip though…I’m mad at everybody, cause we all contribute to this!