A title after your name, I wish I had one

The news, political, and business worlds were all abuzz when the WSJ Op-Ed page wrote an opinion piece regarding Dr. Jill  Biden. The piece asked her to drop the “DR.” from her name saying: ““Dr. Jill Biden ” sounds and feels fraudulent, not to say a touch comic.” As a lead-in to the quote, he referred to the First Lady-Elect as “kiddo”. After being severely criticized from all angles, the WSJ editorial page editor and vice president doubled down on the opinion piece saying, “Why go to such lengths to highlight a single op-ed on a relatively minor issue?”

I WAS a subscriber to the WSJ, as I like to get my business information from multiple perspectives (read into that left leaning and right leaning), so I can formulate my own deductions regarding why and how I should be preparing my company for the future.

I say was because I cancelled my subscription. I could not believe a national publication with a reputable (I know that could be debated in SOME circles) history, could print such a misogynistic, demeaning, and I would suggest purposely antagonistic piece. Writing pieces to stimulate discussion is part of their purpose. This piece crossed the line and brought into question their perspective and corporate culture, (IMO).

Back when I worked for a Mexican Manufacturing and Shelter Services Provider, I discovered that the degreed engineers in Mexico place an ENG behind their name on their business cards. In their culture, raising yourself up to being a degreed engineer, earned you a title. Although not practiced in the US, I did not belittle it, I celebrated it!! I thought it was the coolest thing ever. Being an engineer myself, I wanted to add it to my business card, even though by that point I was a Director of Sales by title. So I did for the time I worked for that company.

The WSJ suggested Jill Biden drop the DR from her name because she is not a medical doctor, that somehow, she is lesser accomplished because it is not a medical degree. I deduce that an additional factor included they were referring to a woman. Add into that the “kiddo” reference, and I lost any respect I had for the WSJ to provide me with valid insight on what is happening in the world.

Hard to believe such opinions persist in today’s business world. I hope I was not the only person to cancel my subscription. That is the strongest way to send a message that companies ARE responsible for the culture and messages they project. Disagree with me? Drop me a line, I would be happy to discuss our culture and the message we send here at PlastiCert.