Women Erased From Historical Photo

Women have been erased from history for millennia. Countless courageous events led by women have gone unwritten or rewritten in the history books. Yet, in the age of feminism in modern times, we assume this doesn’t happen anymore, right?

Wrong.

According to CNN, the uber-Orthodox Jewish publication Di Tzeitung, a Hasidic newspaper based in Brooklyn, New York, whited out Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Audrey Tomason, director of counterterrorism from the now iconic “Situation Room Photo” take while President Obama monitored the raid on bin Laden’s compound.

Just like that. Zip. Gone. The two women present no longer exist with a swipe of Photoshop.

Why would they do such a thing?

Apparently, according to Rabbi Jason Miller, a blogger who picked up the story Sunday for The Jewish Week after another blogger wrote about it on Failed Messiah, Di Tzeitung does not include images of women in print “because it could be considered sexually suggestive.”

Not to diss Hillary (I’m admittedly in Team Hillary), but seriously, she’s just not looking super sexy with her furrowed brow and her hand over her mouth as she awaits the outcome of the risky mission. And Ms. Tomason — well, you can barely see her, seated way back behind all the dudes.

Since when were women in politics just doing their job so scandalous?

I’m not a religious scholar, but rumor has it that Hasidic Jewish law mandates that men and women not be pictured in the same photos, since it’s just too darn sexy.

But laws also require truth — and any manipulation of the truth (such as doctor a photo) is patently outlawed.

When faced with the choice between breaking one law or another, clearly manipulating the truth won out over showing powerful (but potentially racy) women, doing their thang in the situation room with dudes.

‘Scuse my French, but WTF?

How is it that women are still at risk of being erased from history? It’s no wonder we as women are fearful about standing up for what we believe, speaking our truth, putting ourselves out there, and being seen for who we really are. After all, we’re still at risk of being erased, even when you’re a women who ran for the Presidency.

Not to be culturally insensitive — and not to ignore the first amendment rights of this newspaper — but how is this still happening in our culture? I’m frankly flabbergasted.

When will we as women be permitted to stand fully in our femininity without fearing that we’ll be censored for being too sexy?

Also appearing in the news this week was an article about SLUT WALK, an international series of protest marches spawned by a Toronto police officer’s comment that women should avoid dressing like “sluts” to avoid getting raped. In these walks, women and men dressed in provocative or revealing outfits marched in protest to “slut-shaming.”

Why is this still happening? Are women really so alluring that men can’t help themselves? Are we really supposed to cut off our feminine power to avoid wreaking havoc for men?

I’m no man-hating feminist. In fact, I love men, and I consider myself a feminista. But when I read stories like these, I feel my blood boil.

I am a woman, and I will not be erased.

I will not be silenced. I will not be censored. I will not go away. I will not downplay my femininity or sensuality just to make someone else more comfortable or keep myself safe from the violence of men. I will stand, not just for myself but for each and every woman out there who wants to be unapologetically who she is.

I am woman. Hear me roar.

What about you? What do you think? Are you outraged? Not surprised? Frustrated? Tell us what you think and let us hear you roar.

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Learn more about Lissa Rankin here.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Sarah M.

7:17PM PDT on Jul 25, 2011

What an outrage!

send a green star

Paul D.

1:49PM PDT on Jun 14, 2011

They got it all wrong. If there is a creator, and that is a big IF, how are we to understand the creator? From a book written by some male bronze age desert nomads who borrowed ideas and creation myths from all the cultures and that surrounded them and preceded them. Or do we observe the creation as a reflection of the Creator.
In that case it is likely that the creator is female. For it is only the female of the species that bears the gift of creation. It is the female that has an abundance of nurturing, compassion and justice instincts.
The male is merely there to provide the catalyst for the creation and, if he is a real man, protect her and the child while they are at their weakest and most vulnerable.
~;^}>

Jennifer B.

10:45PM PDT on Jun 13, 2011

Not at all surprised but very disappointed.

I wouldn't be surprised either if they censor out anything to do with Anne Frank, one from their own religion. It's a "men are better than women" and "women can't do anything good for themselves or for society" philosophy these men, either egotistically or ignorantly, believe.

Eternal G.

6:05PM PDT on Jun 13, 2011

Think we're reaching a turning point, see the legacy of men "ruling" over a few millennia... time for change ladies!

Linda T.

11:31AM PDT on Jun 7, 2011

I did not know that information. Thank you. It seems some men can not accept the fact some problems are caused by them, and are they willing to change?

tiffany t.

11:01PM PDT on May 16, 2011

schmucks : (

Jane R.

8:01PM PDT on May 15, 2011

Haven't you heard the saying "It's a mans world". That's just the way it is. Men decide.

Staci G.

3:14PM PDT on May 13, 2011

wow

Linda M.

9:54AM PDT on May 13, 2011

As an afterthought.....I wonder how much human history has really been genuine and truthful. Maybe stone age men scratched out the contributions of women in their petroglyphs. The original photoshopping. The "great" religious books are no doubt other examples.

9:46AM PDT on May 13, 2011

I agree with Paul D. All religions are misogynistic and are all about power and control (and not just of women but people in general, by fear of perdition). Some men have some kind of psychological castration complex and fear a strong, intelligent and educated woman as some kind of a threat. I wouldn't even associate with a moronic male of that mindset. I would not wish to intimidate a man with intellect (such as mine might be?) and would not accept intimidation in return. I would hope men I know would respect me as much as I would respect them. Nothing else would do.
As Stacey stated, would they photoshop Hillary out if she were President? Did this Jewish publication photoshop out Golda Meier? (?Spelling). Amazing.
This photo was also in the same paper as the "Slut walk". Good for the Toronto Star, a very open and progressive paper for a mainstream publication.