The Truth about Sexism
The truth about sexism is that no one wants to acknowledge that it exists beyond a cursory level. It’s like anti-Semitism in Europe, an acceptable wrong. My guy friends think I’m overly sensitive. I think that they’re overly ignorant. They and half the women I know like to think we live in a world where the playing field is level. And living in San Francisco, a fairly progressive, liberal city, you sometimes forget. But every once in awhile, you look up and count the number of male partners in your firm. You take a look at your boyfriend’s pay. You start to realize something is askew.
And occasionally, a female candidate runs for the presidency and everything becomes crystal clear. Sure, Hillary is rough around edges. She’s not your typical “likable” female. But the amount of sexist remarks floating through our “respected” media makes you wonder what it was like back in the 40’s. These days I’m fairly resigned to the fact that Hillary isn’t going to win. What’s harder to stomach is the deafening silence that Marie Cocco calls out in her article, “Clinton Campaign Brought Sexism Out of Hiding. Racism is wrong. Sexism is wrong. I just don’t understand why it’s so hard for my Obama leaning friends to admit this. It’s as if they feel that remotely admitting that sexism somehow played a small part in the election completely negates Obama’s candidacy. What they don’t realize that their refusal to acknowledge the double standard does more harm than good; it further divides a party that is already divided. It’s dismissive of the other Democratic half and it’s going to give McCain more votes in the fall. It’s time to heal the party and it starts with listening and not being dismissive of the concerns of Clinton supporters. If not, don’t be surprised when come fall Obama ends up sleeping on the couch.
Nice writing style. I look forward to reading more in the future.
Thanks for posting the article, was certainly a great read!
it’s not that i don’t realize sexism plays a regrettable leading role in our society’s theatrics, it’s that bringing sexism, calling on it at this point, is almost apologetic as to why HRC is in her current lagging state. a note to remember: she was the front-runner, the heavy favorite to win with the very same sexist pundits that you are calling out.
obama has to fight his fight — with race. HRC has fought and is fighting her fight — with gender.
but perhaps you can entertain the notion that HRC will most likely not be the Dem nominee because she ran a less effective campaign, her message did not resonate with the voters and yes.. her personality as an individual and the associated Clinton baggage, dragged her down.
And yes — I do realize that HRC’s personality IS tied to her gender… but there are other reasons why she has not been successful.
to say otherwise is opportunistic.
No, it’s not. No one is negating the fact that Obama won, fair and square. But like Marie Cummo called out in the article the big surprise of the campaign season is the how acceptable sexism and classism is in our current society. Things that I expect my friends and media personas to NOT think much less say in a public appear to be much more acceptable than one would have guessed given our seemingly “progressive” society.
That was the point of the article, not that Clinton deserved to win.
I’m true blue through and through. But I will be dragging myself out the apartment to vote for Obama this fall. My genuine concern is that if I, an extremely liberal, dedicated Democrat am dragging myself to the voting booth, I wonder how many ardent Hillary supporters won’t be showing up at all. And your refusal to recognize that the other 49% of the party had a point will end up hurting you come fall. So, gloat all you want. You’ve won the battle and now be gracious enough to make up with the other 49% of the party before it’s too late.
And yes, you’re right. Her message did not resonate with 51% of the Democratic Party. Obama now needs to work on the rest of the pissed off 49%.
Wendy,
I think you’re right. W don’t see it the way you do, unfortunately. I wish I could see it that way. I wrote a blog entry about it called Hillary Clinton backer backlash. But, as much as I’d like to understand the sexism that permeates the core of American society, I really have been astounded by the outpouring of grief over Hillary Clinton’s treatment this primary season. And I am a fervent Obama supporter.
I have a love-hate relationship with Hillary Clinton as I posted in another post today. I think she is a remarkable woman,but very flawed as a Presidential candidate. I just wish she had made a few decisions differently like the Tuzla thing and the ready to serve as Commander-in-Chief” flap. She has such potential. But, as with her husband, I am left feeling her personal ambitions destroyed her credibility.
Irrespective, she represents something for American women in her accomplishments that is very important. On some level, it’s shocking that the U.S. still hasn’t had a female President as the list of other countries with one grows: the UK, Germany, Norway, Argentina, New Zealand, Israel and on.
-Ed
no one is gloating. but what i AM afraid of is that the reasons why your ‘49%’ voted for HRC will not carry over to obama. that is a valid concern we share.
i moved from HRC to obama not because of her gender, but because of the way she ran her campaign and her ability (or lack thereof) to galvanize voters outside of her core supporters.
it’s an interesting question that comes from this post: what is the correlation of gender as a top 3 priority to the votes that did/did not go towards HRC? you’ve made it very clear that gender played a significant part in your identification with HRC — it’s an interesting dynamic that is telling about our society.
in the end, it’s not about obama or HRC. i’m a cynic — i think america has given up our right to complain — since we were complicit in all the wrongs that have been done… obama’s message of hope doesn’t really change that we are a materialistic and self-interested culture with little appetite for self-criticism and curiosity… just some thoughts.. more later.
Gloating:
Belittled Woman
Hillary Deathwatch
And to your comments about our “self-interested” society. That’s why Obama-style change is just smoke and mirrors. We can all pretend that a new generation of Americans will rise up and play an important role in Obama’s grassroots-style of governing, but next year around this time, Obama will be in the weeds with Cheney and Karl Rove-like politicians bent on stopping any kind of progressive agenda to ensure Democrats look weak come 2012 and our society of galvanized Obamaphiles will be discussing the projected winners of American Idol.
I wonder whose more of a cynic.