media favoritism in 2008 presidential race

Now That it’s Over


Barack Obama will be the Democratic nominee for president. As promised, I will support him because the party has spoken and the majority rules. Regardless of my lack of enthusiasm, I cannot stomach the idea of another Republican administration, and I believe John McCain will make a lousy president (for example, he supports the Bush Administration’s position of what amounted to illegal wire-tapping on American citizens – shudder), but I am still harboring resentment, despite not being the tiniest bit surprised, about the blatant sexism that was not only allowed but condoned and reveled in by the media during the campaign.

CNN talking heads actually had to discuss whether or not it was okay to refer to Clinton as a “white bitch”. They needed to discuss it?

Personally, I think the word “bitch” should be completely taken off the table in terms of women. It should be as wrong to refer to us using that word as it is to use the word “nigger” when discussing blacks. Both words are pejoratives meant to degrade and remind us of our “places”. They are hurtful, hateful words, and they are intended as such.

There were the endless stream of cracks about Sen. Clinton’s looks. From novelist Kurt Anderson’s observation in New York Magazine that the Senator was connected to the working class by her “Wal-Mart shopper’s hair and big bum” to that misogynist Chris Matthews endless running commentary on the physical appearance of not just Sen. Clinton but Sen. Obama’s wife as well.

And there is still this idea among both men and women that while it is okay, expected even, for a man to be ambitious and aggressive in the pursuit, women must still ask permission and go about attaining their goals through “nice girl” means. Smiling and perfectly coifed and impeccably coutured. We can have our ambitions as long as we are ladylike about it. Reminds me of Sr. Marilou telling me that it was okay for me to play basketball as long it was 6 on 6 play.

I think Sen. Obama said it best at a rally in Iowa last month.

“No matter how this primary ends, Senator Clinton has shattered myths and broken barriers and changed the America in which my daughters and your daughters will come of age.”

Huh? How can myths and barriers that women are being told don’t really exist be shattered and broken?

Better to Let Horses Condemn Themselves


Ever hear the saying “From the horse’s mouth”? For a while now the media has been insisting that it’s treatment of the Democratic presidential candidates has been not only fair and balanced but that they have in no way played the gender card against Sen. Clinton. In fact, they go on, sexism just really doesn’t play into politics – or even out in the day to day lives of ordinary people – anymore. We are a gender blind nation of equals, baby.

The truth is something different and frankly for me this goes far beyond the current political campaign. How do you raise daughters in a such a chilly emotional climate? When these are the messages that are being hurled at us by the media? How does a young female (or an old one even) learn to be proud of who they are when everything about their biology is considered fair game for ridicule by people who should know better?

 

It’s Still a Man’s World


 

It irks me when I read that I should be thrilled by the Democratic presidential race because the leading contenders for the nomination are black and woman. When I see that in print what I read is “women should just be happy to have had the shot but should realize that voting for Obama is best”. And why is that what I see? Because it’s still a man’s world. Here we are in the 21st century and women are still literally descended from Adam’s rib. There was a MSNBC article not long ago where Obama is quoted as saying that Clinton should stay in the race as long as she wants. It implies that even he thinks she is a token. The quote made me dislike him, and I haven’t disliked him up until I read that, because it was so condescending. Like “Look, the cute little girl is tilting at the White House windmill while the big boys watch.” I loathe that kind of crap.

 

I know that I am a minority in my belief that women are only free on a fairly superficial level and then only in westernized civilizations. Because we aren’t being forcibly circumcised en mass or imolliated by our husbands when our families can’t pay larger dowries or by relatives who feel burdened by the care of  old widows (or simply lust after their inheritances) – then we are liberated and equal. But we aren’t. Hillary and Barack are virtually indistinguishable on issues but for piddling details, so the issue should be who is more experienced not who is more charismatic (and strong women will never win this game). And is that the case? It doesn’t feel like it. 

 

Young women in France are being expected to provide sex for accommodations. They are being sold for opium in Afghanistan and here in the enlightened West, they rent their wombs and consider themselves equality pioneers for getting naked on their way to the top.