The online magazine website “Alternet” is starting a donation pledge to help out women writers. The “Gender Byline Gap Project” is aimed at fostering and promoting such voices. The necessary campaign prompted a reflection about our own OC political blogosphere. There are many different websites, with different political takes and personalities, but it must be acknowledged that diversity ends when it comes to gender and women voices.
- On our very own Orange Juice Blog: Vern Nelson is editor, Art Pedroza, Sean H. Mill, and I contribute with various frequency and consistency.
- Over at The Liberal OC: Dan Chemielewski, Chris Prevatt and Claudio Gallegos are the frequent writers on the blog. Marla Miller was introduced as a new contributor some time ago, but not frequently and her first post? Palin.
- And our Friends over at Friends for Fullerton’s Future: Tony Bushala, Joe Sipowicz and Travis Kiger are among the core of political chatter there.
- Last and least, Red County: Matthew Cunningham and Chip Hanlon are among the most consistent contributors. I will say Cynthia Ward is among the voices there.
- Oh, and our amigos over at the OC Weekly’s Navel Gazing blog?: La misma: post machine Matt Coker, R. Scott Moxley, Nick Schou, Spencer Kornhaber, and Gustavo Arellano (with Megan Brescini in the mix)
Let’s face it. The online chattering class in the OC political blogosphere is a virtual sausage fest (with only a few chorizos!) Why? Among politicians we can point to many women who have been elected and are seeking election: Michele Martinez, Rose Espinoza, Lorri Galloway, Sharon Quirk Silva, Claudia Alvarez, Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, Deborah Pauly, Janet Nguyen, etc (just off the top of my head) In that list there a lot of women of color. On the blogosphere? Nil if I’m not mistaken. There’s no reason for this lack of blogging diversity. Now, we don’t have to do as Alternet and call for donations. Only some of “us” get paid to do this otherwise volunteer jale. (certainly not me!)
But a) recognizing the lack of gender diversity leads to b) calling out for women bloggers across the spectrum to join the fray.
Thanks for the info, glad to see people care about blogging diversity
HAHAHA! So true…
The most prolific blogger at the OC Progressive (http://www.ocprogressive.com) is old Juice friend Heather Pritchard.
And Tony’s Fullerton blog has the pseudonymous “Fullerton Shadow” who is said to be female.
As for us, we dearly miss our Red Vixen and Jill Ann Puich!
Did the OC Progressive undergo an online facelift? I don’t know if I’m confusing it with another progressive blog or not, but awhile ago I remember it not having new posts or the current layout. Might be wrong about that.
yeah, Joe Shaw gave it a total facelift a few months ago…
Now he’s been too busy with his Council race, and Gus too busy with his political work, so it’s being mainly held together by Heather…
The words Sausage and MATT CUNNINGHAM have no place in the same story!
Go ahead Dan, post your defense.
It’s not a sausage fest at the Liberal OC. There isn’t a set of balls between the whole lot of them over there. Just a bunch of whiny little bitches.
when I finish L. School I am your girl!
I miss commiegirl……..
As Vern pointed out, we have had women blogging here, but they are gone now. We miss them.
No one I think misses Sarah Spinosa, whose brief reign as our web master was filled with far too much drama.
It should be noted that many women in the OC use Facebook as a blog, although its reach is limited.
if you see notes on FB that display perspectives that would help out this blog, extend the invitation. Orange Juice could use a woman’s touch!
*It was Red Vixen, actually, who first suggested that I start blogging here. I didn’t take her up on it then, but, eventually I ended up here.
Really? So Red Vixen planted the seed, and I chased you down.
And amazingly I didn’t scare him off! 🙂
Should ask Costa Mesa’s own “la Femme Wonkita”.
She hasn’t posted her blog for awhile but she would probably make an occasional special guest appearance. She’s incredibly knowledgable about the big environmental issues facing the county, Bolsa Chica, Banning Ranch, OC Fairgrounds, etc. etc……
I was kinda thinking of her too gericault…. you dont think she’s too .. WONKY?
I will send her a copy of this story
I try to blog when I can, but well, I also blog Nationally. I’m just not thought of as being relevant. That’s fine.
where do you blog nationally? and why are you not thought of as relevant? am happy to see OC Progressive get the layout face lift and will be visiting more often 🙂
Evil Orange, Daily Kos, do a lot of environmental stuff there under Ellinorianne.
Vern, she’s a little detail driven , but when dealing with some of these bigger environmental issues a lot of time it gets down to the eirs, and ceqa’s. Having that information would be invaluable for those needing to get her knowledgable insight into these issues.
We don’t have a lot of environmental issues really unpacked over here. Just the dirty politics and BS that goes on in the meetings, after the fact.
It would be nice to have a forum for the issue to be discussed before those meetings take place. Madam Genis is your gal.
She might need an editor. She’s got a lot to say, and most is worth listening to.
Sounds interesting. We are very weak in terms of environmentalism and county issues related to that. Sounds like a possible win-win.
Gabriel San Roman? Hmmm….haven’t had the pleasure. Sandy was invited to join this
band of brothers just about three years ago. Between all the contravention and drama
issues…..our thought is…..she probably figured it wasn’t a worthy platform for serious and integrated discussions. You know – stating your case….and then not calling someone a
“bad name” – anytime you disagreed with their latest concept.
In any event, you are way….way off base! You didn’t even bother to rate all the mentioned blogs and then to tell us why you rated them ……that way. If you are going to be bold enough to mention the lack of female input…..then you haven’t been reading enough Ron & Anna.
Bold editorial/opinion if you please…. “Gabriel San Roman”!
Anyway, it is always nice to meet another “New Kid in Town”….with our deepest apologies to the Eagles – of course!
rw
Sandy was invited to join this band of brothers just about three years ago. Between all the contravention and drama issues…..our thought is…
Ha. Maybe the blog just didn’t have the JUICE it has now.
Newsflash: Sandy “La Femme Wonkita” Genis, and Debbie Tharp, will both be joining the team soon with their varied brilliance. Thank you Gabriel for precipitating this estrogification!