Recently, in New Albany, Indiana, a local merchant told a Chicago newspaper that while he was a lifelong Democrat, he would never vote for an African American for President. Race was the key issue at work. The blogs in out fair city have been afire with people decrying racism as well they should.
Rush Limbaugh, in his recent blast on Colin Powell, stated that the only reason Powell was backing Obama was because of race. Limbaugh’s usual logic was at play as Powell’s rationale, whether one agreed with it or not, was clearly laid out with statements as to why. The reality that Limbaugh missed was that Powell just made his decision; and six months ago Barack Obama was already an African American. Nothing new changed there. Unless Limbaugh believes that Powell recently had corrective eye surgery or something. But I do digress. Rush Limbaugh has made enough comments over the years to demonstrate that he is a pretty blatant racist and his bigotry is pretty easily traced. I would certainly hope that people who have not seen this would be interested in a bridge I’d like to sell them in Brooklyn...
Interestingly enough the current flap about Sarah Palin’s wardrobe is actually pretty sexist in tone.
Take note of things that have been discussed about Sarah Palin.
Her glasses are very fashionable and many women are seeking these glasses. Lots of people have taken note of how attractive she looks wearing them.
The lipstick she wears is one that has drawn buzz.
How Sarah Palin wears her hair, up, down, or a combination of both is a regular discussion. People have opinions on how she wears it.
Obviously her clothing is well coordinated.
It has, we have learned, cost the RNC $150,000.00 to keep her ‘beautified.’
At this juncture I have yet to hear anyone speak about the hair styles of Barack Obama, John McCain, or Joe Biden.
I have not heard anyone speak about the color of their suits, the kinds of shoes they wear, their ties, their pants, or their shirts.
Some recent research showed that on ABC television programs leading female characters have a budget of a bit over $4000.00 per episode for attire, hair, and make up. Palin’s expenses are up to almost 30 episodes----but think about how many times she is on television. Every night, over and over again. And how she looks is scrutinized.
Her appearance is a subject for discussion in so many circles which, frankly, demands that she looks really good. Did they go overboard? Perhaps. Did they seem to contradict her appeal as a hockey mom? Probably----though I strongly suspect if she was campaigning in a hockey jersey and jeans she’d be eviscerated for that too.
We do have a double standard on how men are presented to the world and how women are presented to the world. When that double standard is in play, and it is in play here, this is sexism.
She is being treated unfairly in this regard.
And please note. I am not a fan of her’s, will not vote for her, and am a male. So when I say that she’s being treated unfairly, I think I actually may have a tad of credibility...
4 comments:
And as a woman who has no intention of voting for her, I'm afraid I must disagree. Is scrutinizing her appearance sexist? Most likely. Will this change? Probably not.
Why?
Because women tend to take care of themselves because they know they are under the microscope of other women. I think it's rather egotistical for men to think that women dress up for men. We don't really. We play the game to make it seem as such, but it's not the truth.
I can wax on all day about sexism in society, but the truth (as I see it) is, it doesn't matter what a woman wears, or how she styles her hair, or how much makeup she wears - men disregard women. Often. We're emotional, we attach too much meaning to words and body language.
Our defense to this is to make you attracted to us.
Please, argue on. This could get interesting.
The reason Ms Palin's clothes have become a topic is not sexism, but the never ending attempt by the main stream media to discredit McCain/Palin in any way they can. I am 50+ years old (and voted for Gore, by the way) and have never ever seen the media expressing such an open bias in an election, not only in their editorial pages but in the news they choose to cover.
MSNBC even managed to dig up some quotes from the 1990's by John McCain where he said campaign funds should not be spent on personal items like clothes. (And yet the media says McCain is not addressing the issues!!!)
Or look at Joe the Plumber. In 24 hours, the main stream media can dissect his whole life and smear him repeatedly. It is a wonder we have not heard how he had to stand out in the hall in first grade for trying to eat the play-dough.
Yet, that same media can find exactly nothing in regards to Senator Obama and those people he has associated with. Frankly, I think we may be at a watershed momment in our history where the media learns how much control it can exert.
Christine,
Hmm. I think the fact that it won't change doesn't make it less sexist.
I do agree that they are under the microscope of other women more than men. I've not heard men discussing her outfits or styles, it's usually the women. But I still think it's sexist because, again, this is a criteria put on one gender and not another. People ought to be judged by what they have to offer in terms of policy and leadership. I like to think that most men who can count to 21 and keep their shoes and socks do recognize how incredibly foolish and downright stupid dismissing women based on emotion, words meanings, etc.
Of course, I could be wrong.
Come on RR. Another blame the media argument. Evenings on MSNBC are quite biased. Evenings on Fox are quite biased. But this blanket media stuff is nonsense. All afternoon, every day, radios have person after person assailing Obama and his policies. Last I checked, the radio is part of the media. This blame the media argument is getting lamer and lamer.
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