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It's 2019, how hard is it to not be sexist?
Well, apparently for the person writing the review for Debbie Harry's memoir, Face It, it was an impossible task.
The Washington Post tweeted its review of Harry's memoir with the caption:
"Review: In her memoir, Debbie Harry proves she's more than just a pretty blonde in tight pants."
Sorry, what now?
Review: In her memoir, Debbie Harry proves she’s more than just a pretty blonde in tight pants https://t.co/JlZh82Icme— The Washington Post (@The Washington Post) 1569593003.0
And if you thought that was rough, imagine clicking on the piece to find this opening it:
"Even if Debbie Harry, of the band Blondie, isn't to your taste — her voice too thin, her sexiness too blatant, her music too smooth — you can't dismiss certain truths about her."
Her sexiness too blatant.
Hey Debbie Harry what are you going to do with all that blatant sexiness? Where are you going to put that? Oh who cares about your music when you have blatant sexiness on display?
@washingtonpost Can you imagine being given the gig to review Debbie Harry’s memoir and opening with this - https://t.co/QE03cdNhln— Sam Missingham (@Sam Missingham) 1569695803.0
@samatlounge @washingtonpost I know without even looking that the writer of the article is a man.— Ruth Virginia elections are Nov 5th (@Ruth Virginia elections are Nov 5th) 1569722316.0
@samatlounge @washingtonpost WTF? Who is the tool that wrote this?— Miss Norma Jeane (@Miss Norma Jeane) 1569712444.0
@samatlounge @washingtonpost Voice too thin?? WTF?— MikePence'sGayFriend (@MikePence'sGayFriend) 1569757006.0
Harry's legacy as one of the most influential rock musicians in the twentieth century has been reduced to a "thin voice," "blatant sexiness" and "smooth music," suggesting that this male reviewer has never even heard of Debbie Harry at all.
The internet is absolutely losing it at this misogynist nonsense.
They spared no expense or disgust in calling out The Washington Post's sexism.
@washingtonpost Was this written by a penis?— Sanho Tree (@Sanho Tree) 1569719762.0
the fact that debbie harry has been one of the most influential rockstars for over 40 years and did so much for pun… https://t.co/b10XPkQTGV— ✰ Miss Misery ✰ (@✰ Miss Misery ✰) 1569706304.0
At 18 I literally wrote a 25 page college paper on Debbie Harry and I can assure you I never resorted to such reduc… https://t.co/sNWua3HfBY— Amber Skye Noyes (@Amber Skye Noyes) 1569733655.0
this is so ugly and sexist i will literally fight whoever said this about my white grandmother debbie harry https://t.co/hCE6MH0P7m— kada (@kada) 1569713233.0
@washingtonpost https://t.co/EqbzjqcLmQ— femalepersuasion.net (@femalepersuasion.net) 1569690235.0
The Washington Post has since revamped the headline and "apologized" for the sexist review.
We've changed the headline. We got this one wrong and we appreciate the feedback. https://t.co/keVQCbxVx4— The Washington Post (@The Washington Post) 1569713088.0
But we are accepting only changed behavior in 2019, not just apologies.
@washingtonpost I cannot shake the feeling that you need to hire more women— Caroline Mala Corbin (@Caroline Mala Corbin) 1569713252.0
@washingtonpost I just. https://t.co/rx57cbszZZ— 100% That Witch (@100% That Witch) 1569717434.0
@washingtonpost Better, but still...really? Don’t you know who she IS?— Maria Rodale (@Maria Rodale) 1569713766.0
@washingtonpost Good. Hope you had the writer change that garbage opening line, too.— Arielle Andreano (@Arielle Andreano) 1569718470.0
@washingtonpost Seriously? You had to have people TELL you got this one wrong?— Lisa Glass (@Lisa Glass) 1569713325.0
In 2020, we want nobody to have to be told when they are being sexist, right?
It's not rocket surgery, guys.
Get Debbie Harry's book, Face It: A Memoir, here.
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