Everyday sexism, Boris Johnson division.
Boris Johnson has risked accusations of sexism after he told a City Hall audience that rising numbers of women are attending university in order to find a husband.
Well that’s a stupid way of putting it. It’s not much of a “risk,” is it. It’s the other way around – it’s uppity women who make “accusations of sexism” against important men who take a risk, not important men who say sexist shit. I know this. I still get solemn, “thoughtful” guys telling me I owe Michael Shermer an apology for pointing out that he said something sexist when he did in fact say something sexist.
Boris Johnson risked nothing by making a stupid degrading sexist joke. Nothing.
Johnson’s remark was made at last week’s launch of the World Islamic Economic Forum, where he appeared alongside the Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak.
Asked about the role of women in Islamic societies, Razak told the Evening Standard’s Pippa Crerar:
“Before coming here my officials have told me that the latest university intake in Malaysia, a Muslim country, 68% will be women entering our universities.”
After which Boris interrupted with the suggestion that:
“They’ve got to find men to marry”
The comment was greeted with widespread laughter as well as a few groans.
See what I mean? Widespread laughter and a few groans. Contempt for women is perfectly mainstream and risk-free.