But in what way, Eva, does the mind-set behind a desire to maintain "the status quo" differ from a "conspiracy"? A sort of tacit or unconscious conspiracy, at least?
We have heard from a few male editors here (such as David and Paul) who swear that gender considerations never sway their choices. I believe them.
My difficulty comes with the proposition that some editors do let gender sway their considerations. I could only say that such editors would be complete frauds, masquerading as lovers of poetry when they are really tacit agents of the "status quo" of poetic male supremacy.
I know if I were an editor, poetic capacity ALONE would dictate my selections.
How about the possibility of making it an industry standard that ALL poetry submissions are blind? That every submission must anonymous?
I know it is probably impractical, but surely that alone could settle the matter once and for all - that only the BEST material gets selected.
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