Meghan McCain Defends Zapatero’s Goth Daughters
30 September 2009, 12:22 PM. By Alex Alvarez
Meghan McCain, dark mistress of the night, has defended Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero’s two goth daughters, Laura and Alba, after the two were criticized by the press and public for their style of dress.
In a Daily Beast column titled “U.N. Photo Disaster,” Meghan wrote:
When I first saw the picture, I didn’t understand what everyone was referencing but soon realized the prime minister’s daughters, Laura and Alba, were dressed in “Goth” attire, complete with black combat boots and kohl eyeliner. There has been somewhat of a fury on the Internet chastising these two girls—by the way, ages 13 and 16—for their attire. I want to start out by saying I can’t believe there is a country that exists where the media protects children of public figures, let alone the prime minister’s daughters. It is literally hard for me to fathom that there is a place that respects the privacy of underage children of politicians and diplomats. The second part of this that makes me very sad is that these two girls are enduring a sort of baptism by fire with the media scrutiny that surrounds their family portrait with the Obamas.
Meghan adds that, when she was a teen, she could often be found dressed as Baby Spice, complete with blonde pigtails, and points out that teenagers have notoriously always expressed themselves through their clothes, despite what is considered desirable or appropriate.
Meghan (who, in case you were living under a rather large rock, is John McCain’s daughter) wraps up her post with a plea to lay off Zapatero’s daughters:
No one knows better than me that being the child of a politician is not a gig you choose but are born into. How about giving these kids a break as they grow up in the spotlight?
We cannot begin to tell you how pleased we are that our dad is not a public figure and no one (save our family members) was interested in the fact that his teen daughter made the unfortunate decision to pair baggy cargo pants with platform sandals and a puka shell necklace. “Baby dyke surfer” was not a good look for us.
That said, we’re inclined to think the press would critique these girls’ sartorial choices and their looks whether they were goth or not, simply because, you know. That’s what the press does to young girls. Chelsea Clinton? The Ferguson girls? Charlotte of Monaco? Whether they’re dressed shabbily or plainly or stylishly, cameras are still in their faces and the public is still giving them a collective up-and-down as they go about their lives.
The best thing these two girls can do is realize that the unsavory or hurtful things written about you online or in print aren’t, really, about you. The commentary does more to reflect attitudes about girls or youth or fashion in general and actually ends up telling more about the writer than the subject of the criticism. Take it from someone who has to write about others for a living and receives her own fair share of anonymous bashing - sometimes based on looks - online: It isn’t personal, it isn’t intelligent, it doesn’t matter and it shouldn’t dissuade you from expressing yourself the way you want to.
La hija de McCain defiende a las hijas de Zapatero [El Pais]
(19) 
Post Your Comment
Did you know you can now share a link, image or video?
Click to submit your own notas.
Baby Dyke Surfer?
A baby dyke who is a surfer. As opposed to a baby who surfs on dykes.
Of course “teenagers have notoriously always expressed themselves through their clothes,” but there’s always the question of whether or not it’s appropriate.
If you’re posing for an official photo to document a meeting between two world leaders — one of which happens to be your dad — then you must understand that, like it or not, you’re representing your country. In an official capacity.
Which opens you up for public criticism if you can’t put aside the “wah wah wah i just want to express myself” bullshit, even just this once.
Your dad’s the elected head of state of a NATO country. Try to pretend like you know what that means.
Yeah. What Janeiro said. The photo was not official, nor was it meant to be distributed to the press / public, especially given Zapatero is fiercely protective of his daughters and doesn’t allow them to be publicly photographed.
That said, as Goth formal wear goes, they did seem to dress up somewhat for the event.
I think it’s great how Zapatero and his wife are totally cool with their daughters’ self-expression (@Guest: This was meant to be a private photo). My mother flung her damn shoe at my head when I dared to visit my grandparents wearing tennis shoes instead of dress shoes. My grandparents are Spanish and apparently Spain is the mecca of “etiquette.” I feel sorry for the girls as they must be getting ripped to shreds by many Spaniards.
And by “etiquette” I mean inventing a slew of reasons to socially mutilate people for the slightest hiccup in a country that also considers all forms of vulgarity to be welcome. Fucked. Up.
Again: your father is the elected head of state of a NATO country and you’re invited to meet the president and first lady of the U.S.
How is this, in any way, “unofficial” or “private?”
The only reason you’re even in the same room is because your father is the prime minister.
While one could make the argument that these girls never ASKED to be part of Spain’s first family, they certainly seem to be enjoying the perks that come with the job.
All I’m saying is that it IS, to some extent, a job, and there are responsibilities that come with it.
I think they need to grow up and accept these responsibilities.
Or take the criticism and stop whining about it.
@Guest - they’re teenagers growing up in the limelight they didn’t seek out. they’re kids. leave them alone.
I second Janeiro’s sentiment, but even if this were some kind of public photo op what’s wrong with expressing yourself however you want.
I, personally, admire them for not conforming to whatever the norm is supposed to be at those functions. I’d much rather wear my combat boots for a day long session of boring adults. And honestly, they probably made more of an impression among those NATO leaders wearing what they did than they might have if they were in the cookie cutter style of the day?
“….even if this were some kind of public photo op what’s wrong with expressing yourself however you want.”
You’re joking, right?
What if they wanted to “express themselves” by flipping the bird to the Obamas as the photographer tripped the shutter?
Or mooning the camera?
You seem to be taking the position that there are no limits, self-imposed or otherwise, simply because they’re young and that’s what they wanted to do at the moment.
If I’m misrepresenting your position, I apologize.
But it sure reads that way to me.
Oh, and, one more thing…
Meghan McCain is an idiot.
http://crooksandliars.com/nicole-belle/real-time-paul-begala-schools-meghan
How is it private? Jesus, once your father becomes a national politician you are not public property, especially when you’re just a child, let alone every minute of the day. What next, fool? Making sure they shit properly?
For someone who bemoans these children’s lack of maturity, you sure do a hell of an example of being absolutely batshit.
And you sure “do” a hell of an example (whatever that means) of someone who resorts to childish name-calling because your argument is so weak.
Grow up.
i’ve got my costume ideas for halloween
Megan McCain is too sensitive. I agree with the sentiment that they would have been criticized no matter their attire (probably something about their weight). That’s just how tabloids work in the media realm where gossip is golden and superficiality dominates. To defend these teens against such tabloids is to unnecessarily stoop to their level. Megan Mccain should’ve just left it all alone.
At 13 and 16 I think their parents are very much responsible for the girls presentation to the US president and public or not, the photo. They should have just stayed in their rooms if they weren’t going to be presentable or not have been in the picture. As it is, they just have to take the critics.
Seriously…no other heads of state brought their underage kids to the event. This is one element that no one has mentioned.
Still….RAVYNNE + MORGANA 4EVA!!!!!!
It is true that the media always goes after young girls in a cruel and insulting way when they are the children of public figures–everyone from Amy Carter to Chelsea Clinton to the Bush girls….it’s a vicious sport, and it makes me wonder why men OR women who have a public platform in the media are so frigging insecure that they have to diss CHILDREN to lift themselves up. It’s SICK…and not “sick” in the “cool” way, either.
Does referring to children as “womb demons” count?
The only problem I see here is the girls’ posture. Why the hell didn’t their mother tell them to STAND UP STRAIGHT? Slouching only makes them look awkward; had they thrown their shoulders back and their chins up, I don’t think it would have been such a big deal.