Reading *The Guardian*’s piece on Arifa Akbar’s experience as a female arts critic—particularly the bizarre incident involving the Hanover Ballet—got me thinking: Why is sexism still such a stubborn presence in the arts?
Akbar recounts how a male colleague dismissed her critique of a ballet performance, implying she was "too emotional" to judge objectively. Sound familiar? It’s the same old script women in criticism (and frankly, every other field) have been handed for decades. The assumption that women’s opinions are somehow less valid, more "subjective," or clouded by bias is exhausting—and it’s everywhere.
### The Dog, the Ballet, and the Double Standard
The article’s title references a moment when Akbar’s criticism of a ballet’s problematic gender dynamics was brushed off as an overreaction. Meanwhile, male critics who dissect performances with equal passion are praised for their "sharp insight." The double standard is glaring.
Women in arts criticism aren’t just fighting for space in bylines; they’re fighting to be taken seriously when they call out sexism in the work itself. A male critic might be seen as "bold" for critiquing a director’s choices, while a woman doing the same is labeled "difficult" or "too sensitive."
### The Bigger Picture
This isn’t just about ballet reviews. It’s about whose voices are valued in cultural conversations. When female critics point out misogyny in art, they’re often accused of "ruining the fun" or "making it political." But art *is* political. It reflects society—and if that reflection is sexist, shouldn’t we talk about it?
### What Needs to Change?
1. **More Women in Leadership** – Editorial boards and commissioning editors need diversity. If the gatekeepers are mostly men, the criticism will skew male.
2. **Call Out the Bias** – Male allies in criticism should challenge dismissive attitudes toward their female colleagues.
3. **Stop Policing Tone** – A woman’s critique isn’t "hysterical" just because it’s passionate.
Akbar’s piece is a reminder that sexism in criticism isn’t some relic of the past—it’s alive, well, and still dictating whose opinions matter. The arts should be a space for bold, unfiltered voices. It’s time we stopped silencing half of them.
What do you think? Have you noticed this double standard in criticism? Drop your thoughts below.
