Former Prime Minister Kim Campbell says sleeveless tops 'demeaning' for female TV anchors

Canada’s first and only female Prime Minister Kim Campbell has some strong feelings about female news anchors who wear sleeveless tops on TV and she decided to voice her opinions on social media.

Campbell took to Twitter on February 13 and sent a strongly worded message about sleeveless blouses, calling the clothing choice “demeaning” to women.

I am struck by how many women on television news wear sleeveless dresses- often when sitting with suited men. I have always felt it was demeaning to the women and this suggests that I am right. Bare arms undermine credibility and gravitas! https://t.co/plBRrrtqKV

— Kim Campbell (@AKimCampbell) February 13, 2018

“I am struck by how many women on television news wear sleeveless dresses-often when sitting with suited men. I have always felt it was demeaning to the women and this suggests that I am right. Bare arms undermine credibility and gravitas!” said Campbell on Twitter.

It’s still unclear how a sleeveless shirt undermines someone’s credibility. Or maybe Campbell is just a big fan of turtlenecks and blazers.

But remember folks, these comments are coming from the same woman who posed for this picture in 1990.

Photographer Barbara Woodley snapped this picture of Campbell (who was Canada’s Justice Minister at the time)  in 1990. Campbell posed with her robe in front of her bare shoulders.

This is not to say Campbell should be shamed for this picture, but simply rather to point out the hypocrisy of her recent comments.

And many seem to agree.

Conservative MP Michelle Rempel said she “firmly believe(s) in the right of Canadians to bare arms.”

I firmly believe in the right of Canadians to bare arms. https://t.co/FER9iWrR0I

— Michelle Rempel (@MichelleRempel) February 13, 2018

Many others took time to clap back at Campbell on Twitter.

I often exercise my right to bare arms. pic.twitter.com/VpYWAPEkSt

— Kathleen Wynne (@Kathleen_Wynne) February 14, 2018

I sometimes wear sleeves and sometimes wear sleeveless -I’m not aware that either my ability or my intellect change according to my outfit. https://t.co/vpamj3GFOG

— Katty Kay (@KattyKayBBC) February 14, 2018

As a woman who often wears sleeveless dresses in-studio (by choice), I find it ridiculous to suggest that bare arms mean I am any less intelligent, credible or poised than my male counterpart in a suit. https://t.co/Xq10zUyqrW

— Melanie Ng (@CityMelanie) February 13, 2018

I think dismissing women because of their outfits undermines credibility and gravitas. Wouldn’t it be nice if credibility could be weighed by the content of one’s work rather than their apparel?

— Rebecca Kepley (@creeandme) February 13, 2018

Oh my god, the world needs to get over it’s obsession with women’s arms and shoulders. We have them. They are not going anywhere. And whether they are bare or covered does not prevent us from rocking whatever job we have.

— Anna Taylor (@annataylor02) February 13, 2018

Yeah, we certainly don’t want to distract the boys. That’s definitely women’s responsibility.

— Denise MacDonell (@Dakneez) February 13, 2018

I’ve always loved this photo of you @AKimCampbell. #righttobarearms #justsaying pic.twitter.com/VNY46RK94G

— Sophie Lui | 呂婉謀 (@sophielui) February 13, 2018

I don’t know what Kim Campbell is talking about. It’s not just female news anchors that go sleeveless on TV ya know. pic.twitter.com/GqUejPYk8g

— Richard Southern (@richard680news) February 13, 2018

Just wanted to say hey @AKimCampbell #righttobarearms #sunsoutgunsout pic.twitter.com/IEB4fttHaA

— Lindsay Dunn (@LindsayDunnTV) February 13, 2018

But Campbell isn’t backing down. She took to Twitter again to tell her haters to “contact scholars” who have conducted research about skin exposure and perception.

To all who R outraged by my RTs of research re skin exposure and perception, I suggest U contact the scholars at Yale, Harvard and U of Maryland & urge them 2 withdraw their (2012) paper bcs YOU don’t agree, & NEVER show it to ANYONE who might find it useful! me-I’m in Paris ❤

— Kim Campbell (@AKimCampbell) February 14, 2018

Sorry Kim, most of us probably don’t have time to do that. But we do have time to put on a sleeveless shirt and “bare arms” because (in case you haven’t checked) it’s 2018.

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