Right to bare arms: Former Canadian PM ridiculed for dress code tweet
Former Canadian Prime Minister Kim Campbell has been widely ridiculed for saying women news anchors who have the gall to appear on TV while wearing sleeveless dresses demean their sex and “undermine credibility and gravitas!”
Writing on Twitter, Campbell, who briefly served as Canada’s PM in 1993, criticized female news presenters for showing their bare arms on air, describing it as undermining and “demeaning to the women”.
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! https://t.co/plBRrrtqKV
— Kim Campbell (@AKimCampbell) February 13, 2018
The Great White North’s first, and to date only, female PM, made reference in her tweet to a blog post by a US communications coach who said that women who wear more clothing themselves up are seen as smarter by their peers.
Prominent Canadian broadcasters were quick to reject Campbell’s claims, with many taking to Twitter to ridicule the former politician and post photos of their own bare arms.
Just wanted to say hey @AKimCampbell#righttobarearms#sunsoutgunsoutpic.twitter.com/IEB4fttHaA
— Lindsay Dunn (@LindsayDunnTV) February 13, 2018
I don't believe bare arms undermine credibility. Shouldn't the audience be focusing on what is being said & not an outfit? I think people should dress how they are comfortable & what makes them feel confident. Women on tv are criticized every single day, wish it would stop.
— Natasha Pace (@NatashaPace) February 13, 2018
On the air with the first edition of @GlobalNational And for those who care (I'm talking to you @AKimCampbell !) I'm wearing a sleeveless dress under a jacket. Not that I give a damn, because it's 2018! pic.twitter.com/JYGNN1SOhA
— Dawna Friesen (@DFriesenGlobal) February 13, 2018
Hey @AKimCampbell: women have been wearing sleeveless clothes on and off air for many years. Judge less. Think more. The only thing demeaning to women is your tweet. #RightToBareArms 💪 https://t.co/oWLPZxQcWO
— amber mac (@ambermac) February 13, 2018
Really? No disrespect to you @AKimCampbell, but myself and my female colleagues wear what we chose to wear with dignity, respect, and professionalism. We have shed the stereotyped female suit and are proud of it. Pants, skirt, dress, jacket #ourchoicehttps://t.co/Bfs3USAr1w
— Angie Seth (@kateygoalie) February 13, 2018
Other Netizens highlighted Campbell’s hypocrisy, sharing a photo of the ex-PM with uncovered arms.
I’ve always loved this photo of you @AKimCampbell. #righttobarearms#justsayingpic.twitter.com/VNY46RK94G
— Sophie Lui | 呂婉謀 (@sophielui) February 13, 2018
Wasn't there a scandal about your bare arm once? pic.twitter.com/7zOoLUaPzB
— Lisa Hepfner (@HefCHCHNews) February 13, 2018
At least one anchor took Campbell’s advice - albeit not seriously.
After much consideration I decided to take what former PM @AKimCampbell said seriously and cover up today pic.twitter.com/Su4ZaRjEgq
— Jenna Mo (@JennaTMo) February 14, 2018
However not everyone had such a light-hearted approach.“When you are the first woman at anything, you have a responsibility. Whether you intend to be or not, you are a role model and what you say has an impact,” Canada’s Global News anchor Farah Nasser wrote.
“We often tell young women that what they say matters, the work they produce matters, but the one woman who has achieved something no other woman has in our country is saying, ‘No, it is how you look that matters,’” she added.
