Canada’s first women Prime Minister Kim Campbell’s recent tweet boomeranged. It did so as she felt that it was demeaning to wear sleeveless dresses by women news reporters.
I am struck by how many women on television news wear sleeveless dresses- often when sitting with suited men. I have always felt it was demeaning to the women and this suggests that I am right. Bare arms undermine credibility and gravitas! https://t.co/plBRrrtqKV
— Kim Campbell (@AKimCampbell) February 13, 2018
Kim tweeted “I am struck by how many women on television news wear sleeveless dresses- often when sitting with suited men.”
“I have always felt it was demeaning to the women and this suggests that I am right,” she mentioned in her tweet. The Ex-Prime Minister linked to a blog post citing a recent study suggesting people who wear more clothing are considered smarter.
In the blog, Dr Nick Morgan wrote: "Apparently, we humans are pretty simple creatures. If you show up in front of us with skin exposed, we’re going to think about your body. If you’re wearing lots of clothing, we’re going to think about your mind."
Kim Campbell further added that “Bare arms undermine credibility and gravitas!”
This tweet definitely did not go unnoticed. The tweet received a lot of criticism from people. Some even pointed out the example of Michelle Obama, who quite often than not wore sleeveless apparels. Kim Campbell simply replied back saying “She doesn’t read the news.”
Perhaps that is because I never said that. Read what I said and read the research that led me to believe my perception was not unfounded. I'm assuming you went beyond the 6th grade. BTW the research dates from 2012- hardly ancient! https://t.co/NzdMJzw5Ql
— Kim Campbell (@AKimCampbell) February 14, 2018
When the twitterati started their patrolling over the comment, Kim Campbell did not hold back. She rather gave a befitting reply to various tweets.
To all who R outraged by my RTs of research re skin exposure and perception, I suggest U contact the scholars at Yale, Harvard and U of Maryland & urge them 2 withdraw their (2012) paper bcs YOU don't agree, & NEVER show it to ANYONE who might find it useful! me-I'm in Paris ❤️
— Kim Campbell (@AKimCampbell) February 14, 2018
While the tweet was still under scrutiny, Kim asked all those outraged by her comment to contact the universities who came out with the research. She signed off with “me- I’m in Paris”.
Kim was Canada's 19th Prime Minister and first and till date the only women to hold the post. She defeated Conservative Stalwart Jean Charest and entered office after facing a statutory general election. Campbell was in office from June 13, 1993 to December 14, 1993.
Pic Credit Global news
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