This morning I received an email asking for my help in publicizing a new HBO documentary film about New York Times columnist Nick Kristof. Here is my response:
(Update–in a very strange request from someone who is trying to drum up pr, after posting this, I was asked to remove the gentleman’s name from my response. According to his letter, he represents Attention for HBO and began by saying that he was writing on behalf of HBO Documentary Films. I have several queries out as to a reasonable explanation. The film’s producer says that they are not aware of this marketing effort. I have an inquiry in to HBO as well. More when I hear further. For the time being the name is removed.)
Dear *****,
While I admire much of Mr. Kristof’s work, I am going to decline your request for several reasons. As admirable as it is that he uses his very valuable media real estate to draw attention to human rights issues and especially violence against women, the reality is that much of what he talks about are issues that women have been trying to publicize for a very long time.
As important as it is for there to be men working to raise awareness about these atrocities, the Feminist Peace Network blog is dedicated to providing a space for women’s voices and my experience is that our male allies tend to get plenty of publicity for their work and when it is given by blogs such as this, it is rarely reciprocated.
What is needed, desperately needed, is for outlets such as HBO to showcase women’s work for social justice. Imagine if instead you were to show Abigail Disney’s, “Pray The Devil Back To Hell” about the brave actions of women in Liberia to end violence in their country. Or a movie showcasing Naomi Klein‘s analysis of economics or Riane Eisler‘s work on the value of caring and partnership. Or you could even take a look at how few women there are on OpEd pages or whose movies get shown on major cable outlets like HBO. These are just a few of the many possibilities.
I will be happy to discuss this further and to help you put together an advisory board of women in media and in social justice to address these issues.
Sincerely,
Lucinda Marshall, Director
Feminist Peace Network
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