Sunday, February 15, 2004

Mrs. Lee

So that crappy, overcommercialized Hallmark "holiday" went down yesterday. Quotations are appropriate, because in the world of Bohica, its not really a holiday unless the sheeple get the day off.

As usual, I'm taking in the news this morning. All my favorite online sources with CNN headline on in the background. Gotta feed the monkey. Every 25 minutes, a local station breaks in with San Antonio news. One of their bits was so darkages sexist I was surprised no one at the station realized and pulled it. I'm actually thinking about calling and complaining.

Here is the set up: evidently a hundred or so romantics tie the knot on V-day at City Hall. KSAT had a crew go down and get some shots.

The offensive bit involves the public humiliation of Maria Heidi Garcia Lee. Someone off camera asks her what her name is.

She replies, "Maria Heidi."

Asked again, she repeats, "Maria Heidi."

Her busband who is standing next to her starts to react and looks at her funny.

After the third query, Maria Heidi says, "Maria Heidi Garcia."

Now the husband says something to the effect of didn't you just get married?

On the fourth go, a flustered Maria Heidi gives the answer sanctioned by the patriarchy, "Maria Heidi Garcia Lee." Shivering from the cold, she adds apologetically, "I'm cold."

This tripe is airing on the half hour all day long. Its pretty humiliating for Maria, making her look like a confused little woman.

I wish Maria Heidi had had the self-confidence to say right off the bat -- "My name is Maria Heidi Garcia and merely getting married doesn't change it."

But if she had, I doubt KSAT would be airing the footage.

I thought the whole woman giving up her name at the alter bit went out as a given years ago. To see the local media publicly flogging poor Maria Heidi in this day and age is rather sad.

posted by Bohica at 3:27 PM