The Gatekeepers of (White) Feminism - Part 2
If you don't want to fight the patriarchy, just say so and keep it moving
First of all I have an article in The New European today. My first for them: The uncomfortable truth about race and Englishness
I don't often write stuff like this for platforms that pay me, as my only real expertise is in prisons and the Criminal Justice System, but the topic was egregious!
Next month I'll be interviewing jazz musician, Alex Hitchcock. Catch up with my last episode, Ethics, Engineering and Star Wars with Gareth Dennis here.
Second of all, I wish people, specifically editors and literary agents would reply to emails. Even with just a quick yay or nay.
When I was editor in chief at Media Diversified I didn't reply to one email from a writer about 12 years ago. He was a semi-famous American author, but the piece he submitted was not good... So I didn't know what to say to him. I still feel bad about not replying, TWELVE YEARS LATER.
Yes, editors are busy but can't be busier than anyone else in the world, e.g nurses with frankly, more important jobs! Lots have talent (more than me at least) but some are just people who have lucked into being gatekeepers.
A few weeks ago I sent an intro email for a friend to editors I know at Sky News and Channel 4. He had a story about a prison governor. Whilst not fully formed then, I thought it was interestng enough that they may want a conversation. He's an expert after all. Yet, no replies.
Last week The Times published it as a big exclusive, because it was a big story! Petty as I am, I sent the link to both the editors. One replied immediately. So there is a calculus to commissioning that I don't yet understand.
Nonetheless, I was lucky this week as I had a great editor at the New European who through a series of questions kept me focused (something I struggle with, as you know!) and had a strong idea of what he wanted. (Plus answered emails swiftly!)
Whilst parts don't now sound like me, it's for the better of the article. So shoutout to all the great editors I've had, Ramzy, Hicham, Lo, Steve and now another Steve! You are appreciated.
That said, here's my take on gatekeeping and feminism, originally published in 2022, and updated for the times and JK Rowling's astonishing trajectory.
The outsize attention given to JK Rowling and her fellow travellers’ has silenced the numerous important concerns that women have today, from poverty, abortion, coercive relationships to fertility.
An article published in the Guardian during the election last year agreed:
And how exactly did the following headline take precedence over any other news of the day and make the front page?
Somehow Rowling's personal thoughts about the new cabinet were the priority over the bombing of a children's hospital in Gaza.
Her amplification is largely because her narrative suits the ruling class, but is there something more going on here?