U.S : ZERO women of color as moderators in Democratic debates !

Dear friend,

This week's Democratic debates had some ups and downs. We saw jabs, policy plans, some yelling about electability, myths and facts about health care, and plenty of applause lines, but you know what we DIDN'T see ?! A single woman of color moderating.

Debates are crucial in shaping voters’ opinions about who is best suited to lead the nation, and debate moderators help frame public opinion on the issues and the candidates. They guide the debate towards "electability" or policy, "pragmatism" or change. That’s why we absolutely cannot afford to let white men’s voices be the primary ones defining what is important to every voter in the U.S. 

We have shown we can make change happen. Last month, after UltraViolet members spoke out, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) committed to having at least one woman moderate every debate, but there still have been zero Black women or women of color moderators.¹ ABC is hosting the next Democratic debate in Houston in September. Let's make sure a woman of color--like Robin Roberts, anchor of ABC's Good Morning America, or Sunny Hostin, Senior Legal Correspondent and Analyst for ABC News--is included on its team of debate moderators. 

Tell ABC and all other networks hosting future debates :  "Add Black women and other women of color as moderators  in all upcoming debates !"

Sign the petition

Moderators hold a lot of power over how the debates unfold. They determine what questions are asked, which issues are centered, and which candidates get the most air time. Moderators are supposed to represent voters' greatest interests and concerns, but how can they do that when they don’t represent so many American voters ?

Today's voter base is more than half women and more than one-third people of color. If major networks like ABC are going to host debates, then they have a responsibility to ensure those debates are inclusive, relevant, and actually representative of the American people.

Black women are the backbone of the Democratic Party, but so far, they are missing from the moderator’s table. Plus, Black women and other women of color are vastly underrepresented in on-air analysis of the candidates after the debates. White males are overrepresented. ABC can fix this in next month's debate. 

Add your name to demand that ABC adds Black women and other women of color as debate moderators.

Thank you.

Shaunna, Kat, Karin, Kathy, Susan, Anathea, Emma, Natalie, Melody, Pam, Lindsay, Ryan, Sonja, and Kimberly, the UltraViolet team

Source :

1. Activists slam CNN for skimping on women of color debate moderators, New York Post, July 30, 2019

---

Want to support our work ? UltraViolet is funded by members like you, and our tiny staff ensures small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.