Here in the States we have a magazine known as The National Enquirer. It's the type of publication you'd reach for if you were interested in articles about "bat boy", Elvis sightings, or the latest celebrity gossip--certainly not a Pulitzer prize-caliber publication. The Sun is the UK's equivalent, featuring similarly sensationalized articles, having become infamous for their "page 3" spank bank images of bare-breasted women. Not surprisingly, the thirty-year running spread was axed due to outcries of misogyny, objectification, and a general consensus that the nudity was maybe a bit over-the-top for a daily reader. Yet The Sun's reputation as a tabloid with over-sexualized and dramatized stories remains firmly intact.When I came across The Sun's article "GIRLS ROCK "; (in all caps) subtitled "Meet the treasure hunters making metal detecting cool…" my tummy did a flip-flop. I was perplexed over the use of my "name" and its prominent placement in the title. While it is true, I do not own the words "girls rock," they have become inextricably entwined with my identity. As proof to the confusion, messages began trickling in regarding my involvement in the article. Please make no mistake, I had no part in this collaboration and the use of "Girls Rock" is purely coincidental… I think.
The truth is, The Sun's article embodies the complete antithesis of what Girls Rock Metal Detecting represents. It is a condescending, embarrassing, and insulting piece of "journalism" attempting to portray what it is to be a female detectorist. My reaction, which is not some feminist rant (which it fully deserves); rather a feeling of disappointment. No offense to the women interviewed, nor do I cast any aspersions upon detectorist's whose motivations are different from my own. But the underling suggestion that all lady diggers are fame seeking opportunists using tits for hits is certainly not a true microcosm of the female detectorist!
The writer completely missed out on the opportunity to showcase at least a dozen women I can think of off the top of my head; each deserving of recognition for their accomplishments in metal detecting. However the only mention of "achievements" was afforded to male detectorists. Instead The Sun insinuates that most lady detectorists are driven by popularity and an income. The article offered cleavage and cutsie instead of content, while patronizing the very subjects it claimed to be representing! Further exacerbating the issue were reader comments discussing who has the "nicest teeth", or arguing over which detectorist is "the hottest", which only punctuates the point.
Meanwhile the suggestion of a "tight-knit" group of women in the Facebook detecting community made me choke on my over-priced Starbucks. Some of the worst damage being done to the image of the female detectorist is being carried out against one another. Riddled with the cliquey-est behavior just north of the high school cafeteria; it is difficult to find groups devoid of bullies, drama queens, and meanies. Scrolling through any number of groups will quickly unearth examples of in-fighting and sheer ugliness. It's something I've continued to recuse myself from only to be ostracized for my lack of participation (much to my delight).
The Sun was given the perfect opportunity to provide an honest portrayal of female detectorists but squandered it for views. They are a shining example as to why I began Girls Rock Metal Detecting in the first place. Through my endeavors I have attempted to display the true spirit of the female detectorists. And the simple truth is, we are not as enigmatic as one would think.
If you really want a true glimpse at our inner workings and what drive us in this hobby I will let you in on a little secret: Just picture a male detectorist. That's it. Beyond complicated issues like, where we take a wee while out in the field, trying to find detecting gear not slathered in pink camo, or dealing with proper undergarment choices—we are essentially the same. At the heart of it, detectorist are detectorists. Unfortunately that angle doesn't sell magazines.
xoxo Siren Kimmie (HDIC Girls Rock Metal Detecting)
© 2018 Siren Kimmie/Girls Rock Metal Detecting. All Rights Reserved.
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Ello: https://ello.co/sirenkimmie
