The Compartmentilization of Blogging (or Bloggers)

TRYING to not beat a dead horse with the BlogHer thing….I love them, I love what they do…but the internetz has been rife with reviews, thoughts, opinions from those that attended and those that did not.

Attendees of the event were furious that an article in the New York times on the conference was in the Style section. This was felt to be demeaning to the women who attended the conference.

But I wonder…why the outrage? When as dear folks like Beth mentioned in her own rant - just look at the swag and sponsors that dominated the event seemed more to focus on family and STYLE over substance.

I hate to say it…but BlogHer reflects all the schizoid identity crisis that us post feminist revolution are continuing to face.

We call for ‘equality’ in the workplace. For ‘respect’ for being a mom (stay at home or not).

But for all the ‘equality’ we want to be recognized as a power of our own…I read constantly how ‘different’ the ‘fairer sex’ is..how we DEAL with people differently from the men folks.

And yes…that is mostly true. We ARE different. We do deal with SOME things differently from men and that is fine. And yes, OUR way should be respected. To a certain extent.

And we can’t get our knickers in a knot when we find ourselves LIVING the gender stereotypes…like the type of swag and parties that were at BlogHer. Heck twitter was alive with us worrying about shopping for new outfits and shoes for the con….sure all in fun…but you have to admit - very girly.

And there was a lot of tears and hugging…things I don’t think you see at a Microsoft Convention.

There was also a lot of angst about ‘fitting in’ - even from me - I don’t recall ever reading a guy state this sort of anxiety when about to attend a con, but I do remember my own husband feeling pretty much the same way I did when he attended his first Comic Con as a Professional.

So maybe we tend to be a bit more sharesy and touchy feely.

There has been talk about how BlogHer was more a ‘MommyBlogHer’ that us parental types dominated the conference. I don’t know if that is true or not. There does seem to be a lot of us out there.

Mommy Bloggers want to be ‘respected’ for their power and influence with consumers out there..they want marketers to pay attention.

But don’t exploit us…..this is the dilemma. Don’t make MommyBlogging a dirty word. This is a big issue.

R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

But it seems a bit confusing about what that really entails…and this gets to the heart if all…for now anyway….

The genderization of bloggers seems to fall prey to far too many stereotypes.

My response to Citizen of the Month and his feelings on this was “stop the gender stuff and say the truth..the moneymaking or ‘business’ sites vs..the PERSONAL sites…

that IS the distinction and confusion is it not?”

BlogHer the site is a community site for ALL women who blog….whatever the subject.

That is what inspired me to set up Wet Coast Women.

While I did feel a bit hinky about it being just for women - I felt this better than just mommybloggers - mainly because….while I may be a mommy who blogs, my interests and what makes me, are far more varied and diverse than that single category can define.

Networking should cross the ‘types’….we can’t network with just mommybloggers or tech bloggers networking with only tech blogging….what do we learn from that?

We shouldn’t just hang with boys only or girls only either…but small steps and one network associate can lead to another and another.

I think the South By Southwest conference is an amazing example of how the ‘types’ can mix together.

But not to say BlogHer does not have an important role. BlogHer through its own popularity has managed to bring together many important networks and events. Their power to draw good advertisers alone is a HUGE incentive for us teeny tiny non superstar bloggers to join their network.

But I really had NO interest in having lunch with Chef Rocco DiSpirito….really. No.

Maybe the cooking bloggers do…and that is great….but not me.

Was I disappointed that so many of the trade show tables were focused on mommy objects? Yes.

If we as WOMEN bloggers are calling for RESPECT ON THE INTERNETZ then we should be seeing the same sort of folks that attend ANY tech or blog conference at BlogHer.

Or not….I don’t know. We are not all the same. Our agendas, opinions and needs in blogging and real life are all different. We cannot speak in one voice…as men cannot either….blogging or not.

We cannot GENDERFY (lots of new words here today folks) blogging when it suits us and cry foul when it does not.

We cannot be pissed at the NY Times for placing their story in the Styles section at the same time enjoying a party sponsored by Macy’s.

The internet has created many amazing opportunities for all. New types of work have been springing up all over the place. New ways to make money. New ways to get noticed.

Blogging will continue to evolve and change as the technology AND the needs and wants of those blogging does too.

The BlogHer conference will continue to evolve too.

I HOPE WetCoastWomen evolves and grows too.

But have to stop the judging and the stereotyping not just when it suits us.

Personal Blogging has its place just as Tech or Business or Entertainment. Personal blogging..no matter the subcategories….mom, dad, single, straight or gay…or whatever.

Those are distinctions to START with..but can certainly then blend and mix with all the rest…..is that not what blogging is all about….finding and building communities….but DIVERSE communities….with one thing in common….the love of the blogging platform.

Sorry, I just had to add another link to a GREAT bit on exactly what I am talking about here…and probably does it better. Go read The Lovely Mrs. Davis…