You know that little blurb in the front section of Cosmo where it says, “If you want to give us feedback, send us an email at blah-blah or tweet us at @Cosmopolitan”? I always err on the side of Twitter, because let’s face it–those e-mails get sent to one giant bin of “Never Reading This Ever” somewhere in Hearst cyber-land.
Well listen up Cosmo, because this is longer than any tweet I could carefully craft.
You sent this tweet out on Tuesday.
The link is to this article by Anna Breslaw that talks about the salaries of the women who are featured on Bravo’s series, Real Housewives of ____. It lists the real salaries of every woman who is featured on those shows, and to most of their credit–they are, in some way, using their Bravo-found fame to do something. And while I don’t necessarily agree with their ways, good for them for actually being productive in some way other than seeing their life play out on television.
The real issue I have with this tweet is Cosmo’s insinuation of “torching our degrees” at the thought of seeing these salaries. EXCUSE ME WHAT?
Isn’t Cosmo the same magazine who urges women to “find themselves!” “do great things!” and lest we not forget, their new initiative that encourages women to “lean in!” with guest editor and author Sheryl Sandberg. I sincerely hope Sheryl is given word of this tweet Cosmo sent out, because I’m fairly certain her skin might crawl off her body itself, as one of her core values is education.
Since when is our society one in which reality television stardom trumps a solid educational foundation? One where a popular magazine is more worried about snagging a headline than a thoughtful editorial piece? I can’t say I’m shocked, just saddened.
What’s worse is that this idea is backed by a company that triumphantly declares WE EMPOWER WOMEN! WE SUPPORT ADVANCEMENT IN THE WORKPLACE!
Oh you do?
Then start looking for a digital media producer that doesn’t encourage women to burn their hard-earned diplomas in exchange for 15 minutes on a cable station. That’s real girl power.
What are your thoughts?
**UPDATE**
Cosmo saw this post and responded via Twitter.
Does the facetious factor make it okay?
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