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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminism: chat

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Original poster

Jess Phillips MP - too emotional?

22 replies

HopeItsChips · 09/12/2019 19:53

Hi All
I have had a disagreement with someone that Jess Phillips is 'too emotional'

I disagree that this is the case, I don't perceive her to be 'too emotional', I regard this judgement to be an example of everyday sexism along the lines of when women are dismissed as being 'hysterical' and it is a method of dismissing their opinion.

For example no one ever said that about Dennis Skinner? I didn't get to say this in my discussion as it was getting too out of hand.

Please can you let me know what you think?

OP posts:

ARoombaOfOnesOwn · 09/12/2019 19:56

I don’t think I’ve ever seen her be “emotional” tbh. Maybe when talking about Jo Cox? But that is understandable.

helterskelter3 · 09/12/2019 19:56

You are completely right. Men are seen as ‘impassioned’ and women ‘emotional’ with connotations of hysteria. It’s infuriating.

Original poster

HopeItsChips · 09/12/2019 20:12

Thanks for your responses

OP posts:

merrymouse · 09/12/2019 20:12

I think he is confusing 'too emotional' with 'good public speaker'.

She doesn't have to be everyone's cup of tea, but she can speak naturally and fluently on a variety of subjects which isn't a skill that most MPs possess.

AJPTaylor · 09/12/2019 20:20

Passionate. Not the same as emotional.

BlackForestCake · 09/12/2019 20:20

Phillips is an extremely formidable and articulate politician. You can recognise that even if you detest her politics, as I do.

Cuntysnark · 09/12/2019 20:45

I’d say passionate too.

IfWishesWereFishes · 09/12/2019 20:47

Is he confusing someone caring with someone displaying emotions, and not just regurgitating the talking points set at the morning election briefing?

AutumnCrow · 09/12/2019 20:50

Yes, impassioned, ebullient, and determined.

I can think of a lot of male MPs who are 'more emotional' than Jess Phillips, screaming away from the back benches.

foodiefil · 09/12/2019 20:50

You are right. It's dismissive and sexist. I like her. She's done some good podcasts if you want to have a listen - she's been a guest on a couple I've listened to and I enjoy listening to her. She jumped over the wall to get into Glastonbury and broke her ankle but carried on with her weekend. Perhaps chummy should stick that in his 'too emotional' pipe and smoke it

Original poster

HopeItsChips · 09/12/2019 21:53

Thanks again for all responses, will check out the podcasts @foodiefil

OP posts:

Gone2far · 09/12/2019 22:21

I think she's not very bright. It might be seen as passion, but I don't need passion in an MP, I need intelligence.
Also, her response to Cologne NYE on Question Time was pathetic and she has never had the guts to comment on trans issues, including the disruption of the WPUK meeting in Bournemouth.

1066vegan · 09/12/2019 22:50

I'm a big fan. She's caring , passionate and determined. I think that her experiences working for Women's Aid before entering Parliament gave her an understanding of issues such as domestic violence which a lot of MPs really lack.

Her book, Truth to Power, is a good quick read. One if the podcasts she's been on (I think a pp said they were interested) is You're Booked with Daisy Buchanan.

Justhadathought · 09/12/2019 22:57

I think she's gutsy and passionate...which inevitably involves emotion. Without emotion - you are consigned to being a Liberal: nice ideas about equality and so on......

Just because you don't agree with her does not make her lacking in intelligence. I think she has a native intelligence.

Gone2far · 10/12/2019 19:52

Native intelligence or not, she, like most MPs, is a coward. For all her 'gutsiness' I've heard a squeak from her about trans issues.

1066vegan · 10/12/2019 20:51

Failure to talk about trans issues doesn't make her a coward. It just means that she has other priorities.

Gone2far · 10/12/2019 21:05

yes, the priority of keeping her head down about issues that are pretty fundemental to women's rights.

VaggieMight · 10/12/2019 21:16

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at poster's request.

Justhadathought · 10/12/2019 21:32

Native intelligence or not, she, like most MPs, is a coward. For all her 'gutsiness' I've heard a squeak from her about trans issues

You're right - but she is not alone in this......which is why many natural Labour voters can no longer vote Labour ( plus for other reasons too). The trans agenda is holding most people hostage.

Squirrel134 · 10/12/2019 22:21

Jess Phillips is a genuine MP, who takes her job seriously, and represents her constituency, and thinks of the nation too. She is passionate, articulate, and shows true empathy for others.

She's an inspiration to the younger generation, especially girls, & to those of us who despair about the quality of MPs today.

It seems to me that the media are always harder on intelligent women, and try to belittle them (& achievements); whilst giving men a free pass. I guess that's most men of power & their cheerleaders for you, running scared, in case their incompetence & corruption is shown up.

We need more female MPs like her!

TheWildPlaces · 10/12/2019 22:42

She did say this...

Freespeecher · 11/12/2019 17:45

Goes beyond Jess I think - it seems politicians are coached to be more 'emotional' and 'passionate' when speaking. Personally I'd be happy if they just made their argument- who knows, it may yet co.e back into fashion.

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