DID you see the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it “mansplaining” exchange between Kay Burley and Ian Blackford?
If you didn’t you’re probably not on social media, where users continue to comment on the seconds-long TV news moment.
WATCH: Blackford destroys Better Together nonsense of Sky News presenters
Blackford, who was being quizzed on Brexit, refuted Burley’s assertion that an independent Scotland would be required to join the Euro. All the MP managed to get out was “Let me explain that to you because it’s a... well... well...”, his statement cut off as Burley interjected with: “Don’t mansplain to me – I’ve been speaking to European legal advisers who say that any new country would have to join the Euro.”
Kay Burley tries to drop the old "you'll need to accept the €" chestnut on Ian Blackford, who's having none of it. pic.twitter.com/8Dr9BTFC50
— Robert (@RobDunsmore) March 19, 2019
Was that mansplaining? No, it wasn’t.
That’s because – at the risk of womansplaining to The National’s clued-up readers – mansplaining of course refers to circumstances where men lay out the “facts” to women who know better, often – and especially – when their opinions have not been sought.
READ MORE: Scots Tories use heavily edited clip of Kay Burley ‘mansplaining’ nonsense
It is difficult to apply that definition to a interview context, where adult human male Blackford was invited to set out his, and the SNP’s, position on a subject Burley – appearing as journalist, not expert – was very definitely asking him about.
Mansplaining is very definitely a real phenomenon, and how fantastic to finally have a succinct way to describe this. Let’s use it properly and ensure it retains its meaning.
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We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
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