BCUP outrage: #bcpoli's silliest tweet yet

BC United MLA Renee Merrifield slams NDP legislators, claims gendered language over bra sizes

Silly beyond words. Kelowna-Mission MLA Renee Merrifield has taken to Twitter to call-out NDP MLAs ‘like’ Minister of State for Child Care Grace Lore and Minister of State for Trade Jagrup Brar for their incorrect use of BCUP in talking about the newly rebranded BC Liberal Party. She says by calling BCU, or BC United, BCUP or the BC United Party, these legislative colleagues are making women’s bodies the punchline of jokes.

Bottom line - never mention party.

In a seemingly angry social media thread, Merrifield goes on to say this isn’t the first time women have called out the BC NDP Caucus for its gendered language, which reinforces misogynistic stereotypes. The MLA, who was elected as a BC Liberal, says it’s sad to see it continue to happen (by the NDP) and notes ‘your lack of respect for women is even more disturbing in light of the increase in gender based violence.’

Grace Lore is further called out for tweeting another statement that dared to call the BCU BCUP.

WTF?

Politics aside, are we led to believe that the NDP’s record falls far short of the Opposition’s record in terms of fighting for gender equality and using the right language?

Is there strategic malice behind the NDP in trying to make BCUP stick? And is a B-cup bra size, if that is in fact intended to be a slam, the thing that can take down a party’s credibility?

This is false outrage at its worst. Yes - I doubt Renee Merrifield is truly angry about this issue. Perhaps, I’m wrong and she is ‘woke’ and sensitive to the use of gendered language in undermining the equality and strength of women. But I fucking doubt it.

It’s a bad play by a BC United MLA. And if she was given advice as to take up this issue, well that too then is dubious counsel.

It’s a stretch and one that doesn’t play out even with real names.

Can you suggest PSAC, the striking Public Service Alliance of Canada, is insensitive to those who rely on colostomy bags?

For those wanting deeper thoughts, Merrifield’s ‘concern’ about gendered language is in fact exposing non-inclusivity on her part. Some might point out bras are neither a male nor a female item in a progressive world that includes gender fluidity or trans rights.

Here’s the kicker. Renee Merrifield has done more to profile and spread any misogynistic/collegiate humour with her social media outrage than a couple of MLAs did with their one-off anacronym posted to the New Democrat: BC Government Caucus accountability section.

Bruce Claggett is a 35 year veteran in the news media, having worked as a reporter, newscaster, producer/editor, senior editor, news director, journalism instructor and media consultant. He holds a BA (political science/geography) from UBC, B.Ed. (secondary education) from UBC and a Dipl. T. (broadcast journalism) from BCIT. He continues to work as a guest host on 980/CKNW, media trainer and communications advisor.

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