It hasn’t been a great week for feminists in Alberta. First of all, Alberta’s Finance Minister, Iris Evans, made inappropriate comments about how children should be raised (see my post from June 19). And now Doug Elniski, a conservative MLA from Edmonton-Calder, made sexist comments at a Grade 9 graduation ceremony.
Elniski’s speech, which he posted on his blog (and has since removed due to the controversy it caused), included this advice to young girls: "Ladies, always smile when you walk into a room, there is nothing a man wants less than a woman scowling because he thinks he is going to get shit for something and has no idea what."
He went on to say, "Men are attracted to smiles, so smile, don't give me that 'treated equal' stuff. If you want Equal, it comes in little packages at Starbucks."
Rachel Notley, an MLA for the New Democratic Party is “very concerned that this is the kind of message that may be being given at junior high schools” and says the message is “hurtful and it sets the issue of women's equality back." At least one of Alberta’s politicians is as disgusted and disturbed by these sexist comments as I am.
How the hell can this joker get away with saying crap like this to kids? And on top of being incredibly sexist, he also throws in the s-word. How on earth can this be justified as appropriate for a Grade 9 graduation ceremony? The mind boggles.
Click here to read the CBC's coverage of this story.
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