That is a very valid point I had never noticed before, and rather a nasty subliminal message to girls. (Mind you, for the writers of these things it's possible that 'subliminally convince all women they can only be great, inspiring, awesome or amazing if they espouse left wing political views' is more feature than bug.)
Was Condoleezza Rice's childhood pre-segregation, or pre-desegregation? My American history isn't strong, but the current version sounds wrong.
Similarly, I've seen a couple of "not you" memes (as in https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/not-you-tu-no) saying something like "Happy International Women's Day to all women" and then Rowling or Priti Patel on the "not you" square (this has been in previous years; maybe this year it would be Braverman?)
Although I can't actually find many examples now... (googling 'International Women's Day "not you"' finds a handful mostly filled with people I don't recognise, plus a Harry Potter one with Umbridge on the "not you" square, which I'm happier to give a pass to, I think because they're fictional characters?) I think I've mostly seen these on people's friends-locked social media posts.
You're at risk of committing a fallacy here: if lists about inspiring women or games about inspiring women don't have your favourite politician in them then that says nothing more or nothing less about the issue than... some list-makers or game-makers don't want to put your favourite politician in their list or game! It probably doesn't mean the Left are winning. You're avoiding seeing this issue in the simplest way possible: no one who puts lists together or creates games wants Thatcher in what they do because Thatcher was cringe.
I think if you widen your perspective a little you'll notice that many people think Thatcher was cringe, and many people think she was great. This post is drawing attention to the striking coincidence that (almost) everyone who writes these kind of books are in the 'Thatcher cringe' camp. The result is that these books don't offer a representative look at women considered great, or a look at the women most widely considered great, but a biased sample of noteworthy women.
Your arguement about a book not having Iain's favourite politician in meaning very little seems to miss that he presented quite a few missing examples that fit the pattern, from quite a few different books.
That is a very valid point I had never noticed before, and rather a nasty subliminal message to girls. (Mind you, for the writers of these things it's possible that 'subliminally convince all women they can only be great, inspiring, awesome or amazing if they espouse left wing political views' is more feature than bug.)
Was Condoleezza Rice's childhood pre-segregation, or pre-desegregation? My American history isn't strong, but the current version sounds wrong.
let’smake is missing a space
if she dares to think for yourself -> herself
Rice's childhood was pre-desegregation - thanks for picking that up.
And thank you for the share!
Very good post calling out an infuriating thing.
Similarly, I've seen a couple of "not you" memes (as in https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/not-you-tu-no) saying something like "Happy International Women's Day to all women" and then Rowling or Priti Patel on the "not you" square (this has been in previous years; maybe this year it would be Braverman?)
Although I can't actually find many examples now... (googling 'International Women's Day "not you"' finds a handful mostly filled with people I don't recognise, plus a Harry Potter one with Umbridge on the "not you" square, which I'm happier to give a pass to, I think because they're fictional characters?) I think I've mostly seen these on people's friends-locked social media posts.
Yes, I'm relaxed about Umbridge, too!
You're at risk of committing a fallacy here: if lists about inspiring women or games about inspiring women don't have your favourite politician in them then that says nothing more or nothing less about the issue than... some list-makers or game-makers don't want to put your favourite politician in their list or game! It probably doesn't mean the Left are winning. You're avoiding seeing this issue in the simplest way possible: no one who puts lists together or creates games wants Thatcher in what they do because Thatcher was cringe.
I think if you widen your perspective a little you'll notice that many people think Thatcher was cringe, and many people think she was great. This post is drawing attention to the striking coincidence that (almost) everyone who writes these kind of books are in the 'Thatcher cringe' camp. The result is that these books don't offer a representative look at women considered great, or a look at the women most widely considered great, but a biased sample of noteworthy women.
Your arguement about a book not having Iain's favourite politician in meaning very little seems to miss that he presented quite a few missing examples that fit the pattern, from quite a few different books.