Is AASL Sexist?

Yesterday’s closing session of the AASL conference featured “a panel of leading figures in the school library media field” - a statement that would be difficult to dispute. Steve Baule, Keith Curry Lance, Mike Eisenberg, Ross Todd, and Ferdi Serim are all well known and respected for their writings, research, and vision by most of us in the profession. And they are all MAWGs – Middle Age White Guys.

Hmmm, a strange demographic representing an organization and a field in which about 98% of the practitioners are smart, if not brilliant, women.

One can’t help but wonder if there is, ironically, and underlying sexism present in the choice of panelists when there was not even a “token” woman participating in the discussion, especially when there are so many gender-superior leaders in the field from whom to choose. Where were Joyce Valenza, Debbie Abilock, Barbara Stripling, Alice Yucht, Carol Kulthau, Toni Buzzeo, Carol Simpson, or any of the other dozens of women who are as widely published and visionary as the “guys” chosen to share their views?

Perhaps there is another, more subtle discrimination at hand as well. There was not a practicing librarian on stage. OK, the topic was “the latest research on student achievement and how school library media specialists can use it.” But wouldn’t you think that somebody from the trenches sharing how she has actually put the research into use or practice would have been of value to an audience of people who need to do this?

For a good old girls club, AASL is sending some pretty strange messages. Men have cred; women don’t. Academics are worth listening to; the practitioner ain’t.

Or, maybe the strategy was that a female audience would just like to see a bunch of hunky guys up there on stage.

Your thoughts?

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5 Comments »
I agree - I thought it very odd that it was so male dominated, given that probably 90-95% of conference attendees were women. I was a little disappointed with the final session, to be honest - it was something of an anti-climax…

Comment by Claire — October 9, 2005 @ 3:12 pm

I agree. I missed the last program and, hearing that, I’m glad.

Comment by Faith Williams — October 9, 2005 @ 5:35 pm

I can see why each of the men were included; they each had a part of the “pie” that was our dessert after a many-coursed meal of a conference, but it was stunning to see a panel of all men walk up onto the stage. Before the program, I had read their names and looked forward to hearing from each but was really taken aback by the visual effect of having an all male panel. After all, I had just participated in workshops led by so many very intelligent women. Sitting with Joyce Valenza, Francey Harris, Debbie Abbilock and Doug Achterman, I was heartened (but not surprised; Doug is very astute) that he turned to me before the women did and expressed his immediate shock. And I’m also not surprised that you felt that way, too, Doug. Whew!

Comment by Sara — October 9, 2005 @ 5:54 pm

How about, in addition to the women mentioned, a panel with Vi Harada? Or Gail Dickinson? Just browse the AASL blog and names pop out at you.

Comment by Sara — October 9, 2005 @ 6:09 pm

Two thoughts:
1. Since the topic was *research* and the impact of school library programs, surely some of these names could/should have been on that panel: Carol Gordon, Susan Ballard, Jody Howard, Su Eckhardt, Annette Lamb, Connie Champlin, Nancy Miller, Nancy Everhardt, Marjorie Pappa, Hilda Weisburg, Diane Chen, Pam Berger …. and that’s just for starters!

2. Why do TPTB *end* the conference with such academic programs? Why not end with a rousing motivational pep-rally type program that sends us all back to work revved up and ready to do great things, rather than snoring through more serious speeches of sonorous statistics? We need cheerleaders, not suits up there!

Comment by Alice Yucht — October 9, 2005 @ 10:42 pm