Top of Mind Thursday December 17, 2020: The Doctor is In

Last week, the Wall Street Journal published an op-ed piece demeaning First Lady-elect Jill Biden for using the title Doctor.

Leverage2Market LogoDr. Biden rightly earned a PhD in education from the University of Delaware–of that, there is no disagreement. The writer argues that because she doesn’t have a medical degree, it is improper for Jill Biden to use this honorific.

There are currently over 3 million PhDs in the US. It’s highly unlikely most of them are told they shouldn’t be using the title they worked hard to obtain.

The tone of the article implies that the writer is particularly upset because Dr Biden is a woman (in fact, at one point he even refers to her demeaningly as kiddo). He’s very much out of date. Over the last several years, American universities have minted more women than men as PhDs.

However, many women I know who’ve earned this degree tell me they encounter a similar attitude on a regular basis. Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris’ husband noted this comment would not have been made if Jill Biden were a man, and I suspect he’s right. However, I also know people of color of both genders who have been subjected to this treatment.

The WSJ has been asked to remove the offending article. I disagree. Publishing opinions like this shines a spotlight on what’s been kept quiet in academic situations for a long time. The reaction and outrage to the article means it’s a good thing this was brought out in the open–which may not be the reaction the writer was expecting.

Meanwhile, right now, a large dose of respect and common courtesy may be just what the doctor ordered.

Contact me to find out how you can get heard above the noise–even in a crisis situation.


Check out our marketing thought leadership podcasts and the video trailer for my book, Marketing Above the Noise: Achieve Strategic Advantage with Marketing that Matters.

Marketing Above the Noise.

Download a FREE chapter now.

What are people saying?

Buy now.

 


Let us help your business rise to the top.

linda@popky.com
(650) 281-4854
www.leverage2market.com

This entry was posted in News and Updates, Top of Mind Thursday Memo and tagged , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Comments are closed.

  • Read Our Blog

  • What’s New

    PodcastLinda Popky appears as a guest expert on Technically Speaking to outline your steps to launching and promoting your book! - Listen

    Podcast: Linda Popky and Dan Weedin (Shrimp Tank Podcast) talk with Brett Clark from BC Fitness about the importance of staying active and doing resistance training to slow down muscle loss as we age. - Listen

    SAC® Press Release: "Companies Eye Innovation and Disruption in Volatile Economy" – Read Release.

    Video: Just a Moment for Marketing: One-minute marketing tip videos. – View over 100 videos.

    eBOOK: Top of Mind: 101 Insights to Transform Your Business
    Purchase PDF or ePub book.
    Top of Mind

  • Read Our Blog

  • Subscribe to the Top of Mind Thursday Newsletter

    Free articles download with sign up
  • Marketing Above the Noise

    Introducing Dynamic Market Leverage™, an approach to help cut through the clutter, stand out, and effectively build business.

    Marketing Above The Noise

    What's Inside Available in Hardcover and eBook formats