Leaders shouldn’t be misogynistic: Diary of a female journalist

Dear Diary,

When I was younger, I was told I could be anything I wanted. 

Of course, I took this literally. I decided I’d be a mermaid. You can imagine my disappointment when I was told that wouldn’t be possible. So, I settled for becoming a writer. If I couldn’t become a creature of the sea, I might as well write about them. 

I chose to become a journalist in hopes of using my voice to help people make informed decisions and provide valuable perspectives for discourse in our society. 

And of course, for my 5-year-old self to find out if mermaids really do exist. 

Now, I’m told that pursuing a career in writing is preposterous and doubtful, no matter how much I love it. 

I was warned there would be challenges in pursuing journalism, and I accepted them to follow my dream. 

What I should’ve been more prepared for were the challenges of being a woman in a world that tries so hard to silence me. 

I’ve since wondered if I should revisit my initial plan and start growing a scaly tail, pack my things and move underwater where I might have a better chance of being heard. 

CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins was berated by President Donald J. Trump in a press conference when the president dismissed her question, told her she was “the worst reporter” and said he’d never seen her smile.

He said this behavior was evidence of  “not telling the truth.” 

Trump has belittled and name-called female reporters in several other situations where they’re trying to ask him relevant questions and fulfill their duty to the public and press. 

In response to an article co-authored by Katie Rogers, President Trump called Rogers “third rate” and “ugly, both inside and out.” 

He’s given similar treatment to reporter Catherine Lucey, telling her “quiet. Quiet, piggy.”

An unidentified female reporter from the Press Association also had an uncomfortable  encounter with President Trump. 

The reporter asked Trump a question about his opinion on people protesting his visit to Dublin. 

He said “you know, you remind me of somebody,” describing her as “a very cute Irish singer who passed away recently.”

As a woman and journalist, I was appalled to see these televised moments of disrespect toward female reporters.

The leader of our country publicly tearing down journalists made me think of how insignificant my words feel in a society that tolerates this behavior. In a country so deeply rooted in hate and discrimination, I wonder how my voice can change what years of history and progress couldn’t. 

I thought we were past putting women down in such distasteful ways, but now I realize that the war against women is never truly over. 

We’re made to feel as though our worth is purely measured by superficial qualities that uphold outrageous standards. Just as the president silenced reporters with shallow insults, women are made to feel that their voice doesn’t hold value apart from their appearance. 

These acts of disrespect are unacceptable, especially from the leader of our nation. 

Men like President Trump feed outdated standards with juvenile insults and blatant disrespect.

His behavior reinforces the misogynistic idea that female journalists don’t belong in the White House press pool or at breaking event coverage.    

We’re not pigs, deceased singers and unfortunately not mermaids. We are, however, committed to showing the young girls watching broadcasts or scrolling through the news that we are strong and intelligent.