Canadian women newsreaders ridicule ‘bare arms’ criticism

CANADIANS have called for the “right to bare arms” after the country’s former prime minister made the unusual suggestion that women newsreaders should not wear sleeveless outfits on television.

Kim Campbell, the first woman prime minister of Canada, who served briefly as leader in 1993, caused a backlash when she said that women who wore sleeveless dresses “undermine [their] credibility and gravitas”.

She tweeted: “I am struck by how many women on television news wear sleeveless dresses – often when sitting with suited men. I have always felt it was demeaning to the women and this suggests that I am right. Bare arms undermine credibility and gravitas!”

The post led to her being ridiculed, with many women, including Canadian MP Michelle Rempe, saying they wanted the right to “bare arms”.

Campbell’s original tweet linked to a blog post by Nick Morgan, an American communications coach, which says: “Apparently, we humans are pretty simple creatures.

“If you show up in front of us with skin exposed, we’re going to think about your body. If you’re wearing lots of clothing, we’re going to think about your mind.”

Many pointed out that Michelle Obama frequently wears sleeveless dresses, and people take her seriously, but Campbell replied that she was talking about women reporters.

Natasha Pace, a reporter, replied: “I don’t believe bare arms undermine credibility. Shouldn’t the audience be focusing on what is being said and not an outfit?” – The Telegraph