You're good...for a girl
The New York Times recently published an interview of Jann Wenner, cofounder of Rolling Stone magazine, about his upcoming book “The Masters”, a collection of interviews with rock legends like Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, John Lennon, and Mick Jagger. When he asked why his list didn’t include people of color and specifically women, he answered “Just none of them were as articulate enough on this intellectual level,” and remarked that Joni Mitchell “was not a philosopher of rock ’n’ roll.” (Insert huge eyeroll)
Reading about this story jogged a memory from my early days in editorial cartooning when at a cartoonists’ gathering, someone tried to compliment me by describing me as the “best woman cartoonist” currently working in the U.S. Considering there were only about three of us out there at the time, I didn’t really see this as much of a compliment. Now, understand that I don’t let these things take up too much space in my head , especially as I get older. I’d much rather use my energy and remaining time creating stuff. But you’d think after 30 years in the business with my track record the woman modifier would disappear… just last week I came across yet another “top woman cartoonist” description. I’ll give it an eyeroll and get back to my desk.