Frustrated by Sunday’s mom blog article in the New York Times (notice, no link)? Want to take action but aren’t quite sure what to do?
Here’s the thing. What matters to the New York Times is its pocketbook. Boycotts and Facebook pages aren’t going to do it, because the Times knows that many, many of those signers don’t spend a dime on the paper.
If you are a subscriber, you’ve got some power. Not much, but a little. So here’s what I suggest, and will be doing myself later today. Write your post about the article. Then print it out and MAIL IT to the paper. In your cover note, make sure you identify yourself as a paying reader, and request that the paper do a better, more balanced job of covering women, mothers and gender issues.
Don’t email it. Mountains of email don’t make an impression. And the guys at the modern-day Tammany Hall don’t read emails anyway, unless an admin prints them out. So we’re just saving her the time.
If you don’t have your own blog, or don’t have time to write a post, attach your cover note to Liz’s or Joanne’s or Kelby’s.
The address is:
Letters to the Editor
The New York Times
620 Eighth Avenue
New York, NY 10018
Now, if you are not a subscriber, you still have some power. Because you shop, right? Every once in a while anyway. So here’s my other idea.
Tell the New York Times advertisers that you patronize about the mom blogs you read. Tell them that those blogs would be a better way to reach your eyeballs than very expensive ads in the New York Times style section. On Sunday.
Now I realize that most of us aren’t buying Gucci or Tiffany these days, but if you are, wield the power of your pocketbook. Because I would just love to see an ad for Saks on Attack of the Redneck Mommy. Wouldn’t you?
Here’s who advertised in SundayStyles on the 14th, in the order they appeared in the section: Gucci, David Yurman, Bottega Veneta, Neiman Marcus, Macy’s, Hastens, Tiffany, Dior, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bulgari, Berdorf Goodman (twice), Ralph Lauren, Harrys Shoes, Architectural Digest, Crewcuts (J. Crew), Eileen Fisher, Barney’s, Wempe, AKA Flexible Stay Residences, Roc and Calvin Klein.
Words motivate. Actions create change. Use whatever power you have in your pocketbook to make change. Pun intended.
Whatever paper you read, or TV station you watch — ask it to do a better job at covering women, mothers and gender issues. And if it doesn’t, tell its advertisers where they can really find you.
Over here. Reading blogs.
Don’t count on them to figure it out. Tell them.
