Dear Kid,

Last night’s episode (that’s the stuff that showed up in between the commercials) was about gender bias. No Bull. DearKidLoveMom.comHave you watched the new TV show, Bull? I hope not, because A) you’re supposed to be studying or applying for internships or something and B) I haven’t decided if I like it yet (the first episode confused me a little).

Last night’s episode (that’s the stuff that showed up in between the commercials) was about gender bias. An airline pilot hit wind sheer and the plane crashed. The pilot was on trial for negligence. But the mock jury kept finding her guilty until they tried the trial with a male pilot; voila, not guilty. The show went on to figure out how to get the real jury to reach the not guilty verdict.

The show handled the issue of gender bias with all the grace and sensitivity of a stumbling drunk rhinoceros in five inch heels, but at least they handled it.

All too often when a man stands up for himself he’s assertive; when a woman does the exact same thing, she’s a pushy bitch. When a man sets direction, he’s a leader; when a woman sets direction, she’s bossy.

Gender bias is real and dangerous.

But it’s not an excuse.

Sometimes when women are nasty, they really are just being nasty. Sometimes when they raise their voice, they really are being obnoxious.

The trick is to figure out when it’s gender bias and when it’s objective assessment.

Actually, the real trick is getting to a place where we no longer worry about gender bias because there isn’t any. No bull.

But I really miss Tony diNozzo.

Love, Mom