On sexism and Elizabeth May

First, let me say that I'm glad Elizabeth May will be in the debates. Not because I'm a Green Party supporter (I actually wish people were less convinced that they're a left-leaning party), but because it's fair. There is a Green MP -- if that's not the threshold for debate participation, they're just bending the rules specifically to exclude May.

That said, I don't quite get why we're all saying it was sexist to exclude her in the first place, or that her inclusion is a victory over sexism.

Usually, I'm ready to see the sexist overtones of all kinds of things, but in this case... I just don't see it. Maybe I'm being naïve, but I don't think it was an "old boys club" trying to keep May out; I think it was crass political calculation (the same thing that got her in, in the end). I honestly think those calculations would have been the same if the Green Party's leader were a man.

Now, the fact the Elizabeth May is the only woman in the debates, that she's the only female party leader -- that's another story.

Why haven't we had more women in senior political positions, more women leaders of political parties, more women Premiers, Opposition Leaders, Prime Ministers? That's the result of systemic cultural sexism, and that's something we can and should decry and work against.

We need more women in politics. Not because they'd make politics less "macho" and more collaborative (I'm sure female politicians are just yearning to be political hall monitors)... but because women are 51% of the population, and ought to have somewhere around 51% of the representation.

But that's another rant.