I didn’t attend Mumsnet Blogfest yesterday but I followed the twitter hashtag with interest. Then this morning I checked out my twitter feed and discovered a hateful, spiteful article, written by the Daily Mail (or Daily Fail as it is often referred to in this house) columnist Liz Jones.
She has written about her experiences as a speaker at Blogfest. She comes away with this view of Mummy bloggers;
“The most revolutionary tool we have – namely, free speech on the internet – has been turned into a giant WI meeting, with women being PAID to sit at home, ignore the child about to toddle into the glass wall that makes kitchen and garden seamlessly as one, and to write about being mothers.”
and this;
“Suddenly, rather than feeling I’m with a group of women who want to change the world, I am in a tangled teepee of virtual knitters, spinning yarns so they can remain inside their cupcake-scented world.”
Ok Liz, lets address this bullshit one issue at a time. Firstly yes ‘free speech’, meaning that I can write about what ever the heck I like, and if I fancy writing about Catherine Kidson flavoured cupcakes which I baked in my 1950’s dress whilst multi tasking with a feather duster then I bloody well will. If you don’t like it, don’t read it, there is no need to be nasty.
Next up my children are not being ignored. I stay at home with my three children, meaning I am caring for them all day from 6am to 7pm, without much respite. I do not ignore them and their safety is always paramount. Then after I put them to bed I work on my blog, very hard, so again no need to be rude.
Finally, if I want to knit (I don’t) or bake, or make paper doilies out of spare newspapers (probably one of yours, best use for it) I will. If I want to change the world I will. I think Caitlin Moran’s point in “How To Be A Woman” is that feminism means that we want to be equal, free to choose our path based on desire not gender. So don’t be rude.
Finally this;
“Women have again been duped into thinking the world exists in their tiny, safe, fragrant homes, that life revolves around burps.
They might just as well don a burka, and shuffle, so narrow is their vision.”
Is racist and extremely rude. Plus can I point out that since babies are the future of our species life does, somewhat, revolve around burps!
Don’t make dolls out of old copies of the Daily Mail because
1) that involves buying a copy which means Liz Jones gets paid
2) you have a child who can read and you don’t want to subject him to such drivel – if he thinks that learning to read only results in being able to read such articles he won’t bother to learn any more.
good point, I will stick to old copies of cup cake magazine then
I did attend yesterday and thought she cut a pretty pathetic figure with her immovable features and rabbit in headlights look. Some of her comments are addressed at my blog specifically and it did actually make me quite cross this morning, but then I had so many folks tell me that it’s a badge of honour that I’m ok with it now.
Liz Jones is a cartoon character of a writer and about her claim that she is an ‘artist’ ? If creating a Cruella DeVille type caricature of a personality for herself is what she means then maybe.
I’m not a ‘Mummy Blogger’ I’m a blogger who happens to be a parent. I’m neither smug nor cliquey, but I don’t expect her to understand that when she freely admits to having no relationships as she is so nasty about everyone.
On another note, it’s a shame you missed the day, the goodie bag was EPIC !!
They say all publicity is good publicity so hopefully this hateful bitch will at least drive traffic your way. Enjoy your goodie bag.
Awful woman isnt she. I think she is just bitter, twisted & jealous x
She does appear to be pretty twisted.
Hi – following all the Liz backchat with interest, as a fellow panellist! have a look at my take on the day…. Eliza
A cup cake scented world sounds wonderful to me! bring it on 🙂
http://flyonthewalljamyd.wordpress.com/2012/11/12/women-bashing-other-women/
I blogged about it too with alink back here 🙂
Good post, and yes cupcake does smell rather lovely.
If Liz Rogers wants to change the world she should spend more energy accepting that the word woman doesn’t mean a homogenous entity! Accepting this as the case, would perhaps mean she could spend less time bitching and backbiting (a female trait I am not keen on) and more time accepting and unifying women. One of the reasons we are less likely to change the word is the energy wasted on bitching…coming from a female strong nursing background this is a common problem. That is not to say bitching isn’t fun sometimes especially when served purple. 😉
Purple bitching is so much better than any other kind.
Stand firm if you are a “Mummy Blogger” or not. I´m with you! I see this as the modern way to be in volved in the most importent work in the world – to be a parent. Whether you live in the countryside, in the city, in Sweden or UK.
Grandmother, knitting and baking with proud.
MormorAnn
Good for you Anne, rock on !