On the Media - Episode: Go Woke, Go Broke

Release Date: August 11, 2023
Host: Micah Loewinger
Produced by: WNYC Studios

Introduction: Heartbreak Over the US Women's Soccer Team's Exit

In the opening moments of the episode, Micah Loewinger sets the stage by recounting the elimination of the U.S. Women's Soccer Team from the World Cup. While fans expressed deep disappointment, conservative commentators quickly seized the opportunity to critique the team's focus beyond just winning.

Micah Lowinger [00:00]: "When the U.S. women's soccer team was eliminated from the World Cup, fans were crushed, but some of the usual suspects were crowing."

Right-Wing Reaction and the "Go Woke, Go Broke" Mantra

The episode delves into the immediate backlash from right-wing figures who attribute the team's loss to their activism and celebrity status rather than their athletic performance. This perspective aligns with the prevalent "go woke, go broke" slogan, suggesting that embracing progressive values leads to failure.

Alex Abad Santos [00:08]: "The team has shown more interest in being activists and fashion icons and celebrities than winning."

Conservative voices, including former President Donald Trump and influencer Benny Johnson, publicly criticized the team, labeling their progressive stances as detrimental to their success.

Alex Abad Santos [02:21]: "President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social. He said many of our players were openly hostile to America. No other country behaved in such manner or even close woke equals failure."

Media's Role in the Culture Wars: Scrutinizing the New York Times

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the media's portrayal of transgender issues, particularly criticizing the New York Times. Five months prior, over 200 NYT contributors published open letters condemning the newspaper's coverage of trans topics, arguing that it endangered a vulnerable minority and fueled aggressive political movements.

Unnamed Contributor [00:39]: "What has all this coverage so far amounted to? We've endangered an entire vulnerable minority and played into the hands of a pretty aggressive political movement."

Critique of the New York Times Coverage on Trans Issues

The hosts examine specific criticisms of a New York Times Magazine article by Emily Bazelon titled "The Battle Over Gender Therapy." Central to the controversy is Bazelon's use of the term "patient zero" to describe a transgender child seeking gender-affirming care, a phrase loaded with negative connotations reminiscent of stigmatizing language from past epidemics.

Unnamed Contributor [13:45]: "The notion of a patient zero creates this sort of disease model where being transgender is a negative thing that is spreading too fast through the population."

Jules Gill Peterson, a historian at Johns Hopkins University and signatory of the open letter, acknowledges the problematic nature of the term and the subsequent editorial changes made by the NYT to replace "patient zero" with "the first patient."

Jules Gill Peterson [20:21]: "He is quoted saying other things and he's quoted saying that this treatment saved his life and Emily didn't realize that it was going to have another connotation for other people."

Despite the correction, the episode highlights ongoing frustrations with the NYT's framing of transgender issues, arguing that it often aligns with right-wing narratives rather than providing balanced, humanizing coverage.

Analysis of NYT vs. Washington Post Coverage

The episode references a study by FAIR, a left-leaning media watchdog, which compared the front-page coverage of transgender issues between the New York Times and the Washington Post over a twelve-month period. The findings revealed stark differences:

• Washington Post: Published 22 trans-centered articles on its front page, focusing on humanizing stories and the real-life impacts of anti-trans legislation.

• New York Times: Only featured nine front-page articles, with two hinting at threats against trans rights. The majority of NYT's coverage framed trans issues as threats to others' rights, mirroring conservative rhetoric.

Willa Paskin [39:43]: "At the Times, the narrative that was being focused on in these front page stories was primarily about trans people as threats to others... That's exactly the right wing framing."

The Impact of Media Framing on Trans Rights and Public Perception

The hosts discuss how media framing can inadvertently or deliberately shape public perception, often not in favor of marginalized communities. By presenting trans issues through a lens of threat or controversy, the media can contribute to the stigmatization and politicization of transgender individuals.

Jules Gill Peterson [27:08]: "I don't believe that there's anything in this story or in the other news coverage that supports banning gender therapy."

Moreover, the episode touches on the broader cultural battles surrounding topics like Critical Race Theory and how similar strategies are employed to marginalize trans rights.

Alex Abad Santos [09:31]: "Barbie earned $1 billion at the box office."

Conclusion: The Ongoing Struggle for Fair Coverage

The episode wraps up by emphasizing the need for objective, balanced journalism that prioritizes the experiences and rights of transgender individuals over political agendas. It underscores the responsibility of the media to foster understanding and support rather than fueling divisive narratives.

Jules Gill Peterson [52:20]: "What have we actually done? We've endangered an entire vulnerable minority and played into the hands of a pretty aggressive political movement."

The hosts call for a shift in journalistic practices to ensure that coverage of transgender issues is handled with the sensitivity and depth it deserves, moving beyond superficial or politicized portrayals.

Notable Quotes with Attribution and Timestamps

• Micah Lowinger [00:00]: "When the U.S. women's soccer team was eliminated from the World Cup, fans were crushed, but some of the usual suspects were crowing."
• Alex Abad Santos [00:08]: "The team has shown more interest in being activists and fashion icons and celebrities than winning."
• Unnamed Contributor [00:39]: "What has all this coverage so far amounted to? We've endangered an entire vulnerable minority and played into the hands of a pretty aggressive political movement."
• Jules Gill Peterson [20:21]: "He is quoted saying other things and he's quoted saying that this treatment saved his life and Emily didn't realize that it was going to have another connotation for other people."
• Willa Paskin [39:43]: "At the Times, the narrative that was being focused on in these front page stories was primarily about trans people as threats to others... That's exactly the right wing framing."
• Jules Gill Peterson [52:20]: "What have we actually done? We've endangered an entire vulnerable minority and played into the hands of a pretty aggressive political movement."

Final Thoughts

This episode of On the Media critically examines the intersection of sports, activism, and media portrayal within the broader context of American culture wars. By dissecting the reactions to the US Women's Soccer Team's World Cup exit and scrutinizing the media's coverage of transgender issues, the hosts highlight the challenges faced by marginalized communities in navigating a polarized socio-political landscape.