Bob Brown is apparently hyper-sensitive to the 'subconscious' sexism aimed at the PM.
PESKY thing, the subconscious.
One minute you're looking at a Prime Minister for a hint of vision or leadership or whatever it is a Prime Minister is expected to exhibit and the next minute, uh oh, the subconscious has registered that the PM is a woman and you've lost all judgment.
You just drop into automatic sexist mode and you don't even know it. Before you can stop yourself, you'll be calling her a feckless sheila.
This, anyway, is the view of Greens leader Bob Brown, who apparently is hyper-sensitive to this sort of thing.
''Quite a bit of the criticism [of Julia Gillard] is sexist and unfair and unrelenting and the Prime Minister needs a bit of a break from that,'' he declared yesterday.
''I just think the degree of relentless criticism on this Prime Minister coming from male commentators - it's probably all subconscious - but is sexist and quite ridiculous at times.''
Setting aside the bothersome fact that the subconscious is a buzzword beloved by those who frown a lot but which is hardly used in psychology (Freud himself rejected it and psychoanalysts prefer the ''unconscious'', which sounds even more devious), Senator Brown's criticism seemed a little selective.
Male commentators? What does this say about The Age's own Michelle Grattan, The Australian Financial Review's Laura Tingle, a veritable newsroom of female ABC commentators and various other women of the commentariat who have, from time to time, said most unkind things about Ms Gillard? Subconscious fellow travellers of sexist blokes?
And what about us male commentators who have noted on occasion that Kevin Rudd is an insincere poseur or that Tony Abbott is a dork and Bob Brown is a shameless opportunist? It's probably OK. They all wear trousers.
The venerable Mike Willesee, brought out of retirement by Channel 7, didn't help his fellows much by inquiring during an interview with Ms Gillard on Sunday night: ''Do you cry much?'' It was, viewers screamed on Twitter, hardly the sort of question that would be asked of a male prime minister like John Howard or Paul Keating. Perhaps Willesee's subconscious got the better of him: Bob Hawke once wept copiously on a Willesee show.
Ms Gillard, anyway, didn't have much trouble batting the question to the stands.
''I'm not someone who would spend a lot of time with tears in my eyes,'' she said. ''Does that mean that I don't feel emotions and sadness? Of course it doesn't everybody's different.''
Quite. And Ms Gillard seemed perfectly able to take care of herself when she was asked at a press conference yesterday about the continuing media speculation that a showdown was inevitable with that troublesome male, Kevin Rudd.
Reporter: ''Prime Minister, when was the last time you spoke with Kevin Rudd and have you got an assurance of his support?''
PM: ''Look, I deal with Kevin Rudd frequently in his capacity as Minister for Foreign Affairs. On everything else I'll leave you to your fevered speculation which doesn't need any facts or any commentary from me for it to continue.''
Or pop psychology, either, you might think.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
What did Bob Brown say about criticism of Prime Minister Julia Gillard being sexist?
Bob Brown argued that quite a bit of the criticism of Prime Minister Julia Gillard is sexist, unfair and unrelenting. He suggested much of it comes from male commentators and may be driven by subconscious bias, and said the Prime Minister deserved a break from that kind of treatment.
What does the article say about the word 'subconscious' in the debate over sexist commentary?
The article questions the use of 'subconscious', calling it a buzzword and noting that Freud rejected the term; psychoanalysts prefer 'unconscious'. The piece suggests the label may be overused and that Brown’s charge sounded somewhat selective.
Which specific examples of gendered or sexist media questions about Julia Gillard are mentioned?
The article cites veteran interviewer Mike Willesee asking Ms Gillard 'Do you cry much?'—a question viewers criticised on Twitter as unlikely to be asked of a male prime minister. It also references ongoing media speculation about tensions with Kevin Rudd.
How did Julia Gillard respond when asked if she cries much?
Ms Gillard replied she is 'not someone who would spend a lot of time with tears in my eyes' but that this doesn’t mean she doesn’t feel emotions or sadness, and noted that everybody is different.
Does the article point out any female commentators who have criticised Julia Gillard?
Yes. The article names Michelle Grattan from The Age and Laura Tingle from The Australian Financial Review, and it also notes various female ABC commentators who have, at times, said unkind things about Ms Gillard.
What critique does the article make about Bob Brown’s claim that male commentators are mainly to blame?
The article suggests Brown’s criticism was selective, asking what his claim says about prominent female commentators who have also criticised Ms Gillard. It argues that criticism has come from both men and women, so blaming only male commentators may be too simplistic.
How did Julia Gillard handle questions about her relationship with Kevin Rudd?
When asked when she last spoke with Kevin Rudd and whether she had his support, Ms Gillard said she deals with him frequently in his role as Minister for Foreign Affairs and dismissed the media’s 'fevered speculation' that needs no facts to continue.
Why might everyday investors care about media narratives and political commentary like the ones described in the article?
The article highlights how media treatment and public commentary can shape perceptions of political leaders. Everyday investors who follow politics may find it useful to be aware of media narratives—such coverage can influence public sentiment and the political backdrop that affects policy and markets.
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