Putting women in their place
Sir — I am writing to applaud you and your team on yet another Sunday Independent issue (July 31) which manages to be in equal parts entertaining and poignant. As an excellent parody of 1950s misogynistic journalism, it is an excellent example of humorous and thought-provoking satire. I am grateful that the very idea of a national broadsheet newspaper ever feeling that it is acceptable to blatantly portray women in such an oppressive and archaic way is now so absurd as to be positively laughable.
I particularly enjoyed the opening photo spread of the LIFE magazine. An embarrassment of riches satirically. The use of almost exclusively models or former Miss Ireland contestants, and a ‘sack the stylist’ feature clearly impressing that a woman’s value is dependent entirely on her ability to wear clothes, was genius. Sidelining Angela Merkel and Theresa May, arguably two of the most powerful women in the world, to a small and unflattering photo with the hilarious quip “I just go to ze local barber”, was brilliant. Highlighting the assumption that women at their level of power must, in fact, be men. Oh, how I laughed.
And then the poignant and powerful way in which your team managed to reduce Jennifer Zamparelli, an accomplished business person, broadcaster and wit, to a tragic character wracked by guilt and anxiety due to having to leave her child at home to go to work, made me want to laugh and cry. Choosing to edit a potentially insightful interview such that a sizeable portion of text focuses on the fact that Jennifer had the good fortune to know Nicky Byrne growing up, was a nice touch.
That the tactful journalist had the presence of mind to ask “did you fancy him?” was satirical gold. The juxtaposition created is thought provoking.
How would, for example, a similar interview with an equally talented Tommy Tiernan be treated? Would the headline point to his crippling guilt at leaving the house every day and the family sacrifices he must make in order to pursue his career? That Jennifer is only relatable as a successful woman if she is angst-ridden and conflicted is exactly why important publications like this communicate the kinds of inequalities that did exist in the past but are no longer acceptable. I’m sure that the mothers reading the article are relieved that their daughters will grow up in a world where such undermining of a woman’s worth as a person no longer happens.
I await your next issue excitedly. Perhaps Barry Egan might helpfully inform us that a Foxrock-born debutante is newly single. Or LIFE might feature a photo spread of a male celebrity’s wife who prudently spent her husband’s money on a tastefully designed kitchen? The options are endless. Keep up the good work. “Women, Know Your Place!”