By Verónica Bayetti Flores • @veroconplatanos • 11 years ago

Quick hit: A template for writing about Wendy Davis

Via Wendy Davis

Via Wendy Davis

Have you read any articles discussing Wendy Davis’ gubernatorial candidacy in Texas? They seem to follow a mold. Texas political reporter and hilarious person Andrea Grimes poked fun of the familiar and condescending narrative forming around Wendy Davis’ candidacy in this hilarious template for journalists discussing her political solvency:

Acknowledgment that Wendy Davis is both physically and politically attractive, however abortions. Pricey running shoes and abortions. Mention of boots, because Texas. Condescending nod to people who believe Wendy Davis has a viable chance at winning the Texas governorship, but declaration of the veracity of the author’s singularly noteworthy ability to perceive political reality, in which the electoral landscape in Texas conveniently reflects author’s worldview. Curious absence of evidence that author has ever stepped foot in Texas.

I’m finding it particularly on point and reflective of my own one-on-one conversations with folks. People I’ve talked to who are outside of Texas have been generally pretty skeptical about her having a shot despite pretty minimal knowledge of the political landscape of the state. Meanwhile, the people I know who are organizing and doing political work in Texas are strong believers that she has a shot. I’m gonna go ahead and place myself in the camp of the believers. Go Wendy!

Read the rest of Andrea’s hilarious piece here.

 

1bfea3e7449eff65a94e2e55a8b7acda-bpfullVeronica is an immigrant queer writer, domestic artist, and music video enthusiast. 

New York, NY

Verónica Bayetti Flores has spent the last years of her life living and breathing reproductive justice. She has led national policy and movement building work on the intersections of immigrants' rights, health care access, young parenthood, and LGBTQ liberation, and has worked to increase access to contraception and abortion, fought for paid sick leave, and demanded access to safe public space for queer youth of color. In 2008 Verónica obtained her Master’s degree in the Sexuality and Health program at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. She loves cooking, making art, listening to music, and thinking about the ways art forms traditionally seen as feminine are valued and devalued. In addition to writing for Feministing, she is currently spending most of her time doing policy work to reduce the harms of LGBTQ youth of color's interactions with the police and making sure abortion care is accessible to all regardless of their income.

Verónica is a queer immigrant writer, activist, and rabble-rouser.

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