First on the board is Mayor of London, Boris Johnson.
He has perfected his image of blonde-mopped, harmless, foppish, bumbling, Tory boy and as a consequence appears politically impotent to many (most, probably) in the UK. And I’m not buying it.
This week he has come under fire for a sexist “joke” where he claimed
the high number of female university entrants was because they “have got to find men to marry”.
I really wish my mother had told me this before I went to university. I thought it was about education, both in the academic and personal sense; figuring out your future; beginning a career; gaining independence and seeing how long you could last on a diet of honey, toast and vodka. Clearly I was doing it all wrong. And I’m still unwed! When will the pain end?!
The fact that a high-profile politician in a position of power (alliteration, ahoy!) felt it was okay to make such a statement at the World Islamic Economic Forum where they were discussing the role of Islamic women in society shows where his stance on women lies. Most people would never have been aware that such a meeting happened, and instead of taking the chance to do something useful, he reminds us all of his sexist views. Boris must’ve known a soundbite like this from him would always have spread like wild-fire. (You can listen to the full exchange and get other details here.)
No doubt there will be a large section of society who claim feminists are blowing it all out of proportion. “It was only a joke for Christ’s sake! What’s the matter with you love, that time of the month?” Actually, it is. But I would’ve found his comments moronic, regardless of the date in the calendar. I hope he never decides to bumble* his way further up the political ladder.
*purposefully scheme and plot
originalvanilla 