MSNBC: Ed Schulz's Sexist Slur

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Date: May 26th, 2011
Name: The Women's Media Center
Subject: Ed Schultz's Apology
Comment: Dear Supporter,

We did it! Yesterday the Women's Media Center asked you to sign our petition demanding MSNBC suspend Ed Schultz for calling media personality Laura Ingraham a "right-wing slut" on his radio program.

You spoke up, and MSNBC listened! Last night MSNBC suspended Schultz without pay, and contacted the Women's Media Center in order to work with us in order to prevent issues like this in the future.

Schultz also issued a heartfelt and authentic apology on last night's episode of MSNBC's "The Ed Show" before walking off the set:
Watch the video here: http://bit.ly/linpbM

Thank you to all our supporters who stood up and demonstrated that when you demean one woman, you demean all women. Unfortunately, such remarks are also everyday occurrences on our radiowaves, blogs, and social media, and this is just one part of the larger struggle to change the conversation. This isn't about Laura Ingraham, or Ed Schultz, but about standing up to fight sexist coverage across the board.

We invite you to join us continuing to amplify women's voices against sexism in our media. Can you take two simple steps now to keep the conversation going?

Sign our followup letter thanking MSNBC's management and Ed Schultz for acknowledging the inappropriate and sexist language and for taking swift public action here:
http://bit.ly/jMlTsL

Donate to the Women's Media Center to support our critical work holding media accountable for sexism:
http://bit.ly/i6U6T1

The Women's Media Center commends MSNBC's Management and Ed Schultz for recognizing that such language is harmful, and for taking steps to remedy the issue in the future. We thank MSNBC for leading on this issue and setting the standard for other outlets.

The Women's Media Center will be especially vigilant as coverage of women candidates in the 2012 elections heightens, and prepared to speak out against sexist attacks. We are thrilled to have supporters like you along the way.

Thank you for all you do,

The Women's Media Center Board & StaffTo support our continued work on this issue, donate to the Women’s Media Center here: http://bit.ly/i6U6T1

[On The Media]

It's no secret that several of MSNBC's commentators and anchors have espoused some moderately sexist to severely misogynist views over the years. In 2008, we went after Chris Matthews' derogatorycoverage of Hilary Clinton's presidential race, resulting in MSNBC's decision to demote him from the anchor chair of election coverage to become a strictly political commentator. One thing was clear: Matthews crossed the line too many times.

Then, that same year, David Shuster was suspended by the network for comments about Chelsea Clinton being "pimped out" by the Clinton campaign, using a prostitution metaphor.

Yet, the networks' "progressive" male anchors and commentators aren't learning their lessons. Just yesterday, Ed Schulz called incindiary right-wing talk show host Laura Ingraham, a "right-wing slut" and a "talk slut" on the air.

While conservative bloggers and watchdog organizations are highlighting Schultz's remark, the Women's Media Center also calls on MSNBC to suspend Schultz for his comments, since they not only attack Ingraham, but all women. Ms. Ingraham is no friend to the Women's Media Center, but a sexist and misogynist attack based on her gender and not her political views or comments is harmful to women in media, politics, and beyond.

Ingraham provides enough fodder for progressive criticism that such base attacks have no place in coverage. As a new generation of women enter media and politics, such comments dissuade women from exposing themselves to vile attacks, and perpetuate inequality in newsrooms and in congress.

Join us in telling MSNBC that Schultz's comments are just as worthy of suspension as Shuster's, and to send a message to their on-air personalities that sexism is harmful and unacceptable! Click here to tell send a letter to MSNBC's leadership: http://www.change.org/petitions/tell-msnbc-to-suspend-ed-schultz-for-calling-extremist-host-a-right-wing-slutTo support our continued work on this issue, donate to the Women’s Media Center here: http://bit.ly/i6U6T1

"Speaking Truth To Empower."