Who can forget where they were during the Anita Hill-Clarence Thomas hearings? Or how they felt while listening to fourteen white men cynically grill an alleged victim of sexual harassment? The aftermath of the hearings was a new awareness of gender discrimination. But, decades later, has our country come to grips with the disparate treatment of men and women in the workplace? Even if that workplace is our federal government?
This past week, Sen Arlen Specter and Rep Michele Bachmann were guests on a radio show to discuss the economy. As would be typical in such on-air formats, Sen. Specter and Rep. Bachmann had differing views on the subject matter. These are the words of Sen. Specter during the exchange:
"I'll treat you like a lady, so act like one."
"Act like a lady."
(Both Rep Bachmann and the radio host interjected that she is one.)
"I think you are too that's why I'm treating you like one."
Sadly, the silencing and disparate treatment of our women politicians is still at times an acceptable norm. Last summer, Sen Patrick Leahy, who also served on the senate panel during the Anita Hill Hearings, had a similar, albeit less sordid encounter. During the senate nomination of Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Sen Leahy rudely interrupted Sen Kirsten Gillibrand during her statement. Politico surmised:
It was a striking moment in the clubby Senate, where members typically show enormous deference to each other -- particularly to senators of the same party, and even more so when on live national television.
We've come a long way, baby? Or have we?
Sen Specter's "lady" comments this week have re-opened old wounds for many women in our country. The New Agenda, the women's organization of which I am President, received scores of emails from women around the country. Here's a sampling:
I can't stop thinking about what he did to Anita Hill when I see Specter.
Whether you agree with Bachmann or not, she has a right to her POV.A perfect example of the old double standard. If you are a man and you firmly assert your viewpoint you are a "strong, tough, scrapper." If you are a woman and you, in my opinion politely, try to make your point you are not a "lady."
I found it extremely offensive. He spoke down to Michele the same way he did to Anita.
Frankly our country deserves better from our public officials. Those who we entrust with our government. Those who we look to as role models. If Sen. Specter and Sen. Leahy feel comfortable speaking this way to female colleagues on an open mic, can we even fathom what happens behind closed doors?
That's why Sen. Specter should retire from public office at the end of his term. But before he does so, he should issue a public apology to Rep. Bachmann. And in his apology, he should articulate why his words could be so hurtful to so many women two decades later.
And some here at HuffPost might challenge this notion because the victim is Rep. Bachmann, a conservative who does not share your political ideology. Consider for a moment setting the victim's identity aside. Then imagine that Sen Specter was speaking to your daughter, your wife, your mother, or your sister.
We hope that other women's groups will join The New Agenda in our call for Sen Specter to retire. Political affiliation is not the point. Sexism against conservative women is still sexism: and the only way for the women of this country to truly move forward is to unite and speak out against all forms of sexism regardless of party or the source of the attack.
Surely the female senators and congresswomen that work so hard to get elected deserve to have their voice, our voice, be heard.
Follow Amy Siskind on Twitter: www.twitter.com/AmyTheNewAgenda
Senator Specter is and has always been a "gentle man". On the other hand, Michelle Bachman needs to have her mouth washed out with soap. Seems like her mama never taught her lessons in etiquette and when someone is speaking to "listen" first and then "speak your mind". Bachman has a problem with listening. No problem with her speech though. She can talk, talk, talk and no one stops this "woman". Dare I call her a "lady"...Senator Specter, Bachman DID NOT AND DOES NO DESERVE AN APOLOGY from you, Sir. SHE OWES YOU ONE for her constant interruptions AND let's get all the facts out....are you not a Senior Senator? She totally lost it with her manners.
Before we do that how about we address some of the road apples that have come out of Bachmann's mouth?
“Don’t misunderstand. I am not here bashing people who are homosexuals, who are lesbians, who are bisexual, who are transgender. We need to have profound compassion for people who are dealing with the very real issue of sexual dysfunction in their life and sexual identity disorders.”
“Normalization (of gayness) through desensitization. Very effective way to do this with a bunch of second graders, is take a picture of “The Lion King” for instance, and a teacher might say, “Do you know that the music for this movie was written by a gay man?” The message is: I’m better at what I do, because I’m gay."
“If you’re involved in the gay and lesbian lifestyle, it’s bondage. It is personal bondage, personal despair and personal enslavement.”
“They aren’t just kind of gay-friendly, they are gay advocates at Proctor and Gamble… Here’s just a few other companies that support the pro-homosexual agenda. They include Levi-Strauss, American Airlines, Sarah Lee Bakery, Jaguar and LandRover.”
Until Bachmann apologizes for the things she's said then as far as I'm concerned Specter doesn't have a damn thing to apologize for.
"Rep. Kilroy: GOP Shouting Down Democratic Women Was A ‘Sexist’ Attempt To Put Us ‘In Our Place’ "
http://thinkprogress.org/2009/11/10/kilroy-gop-sexist/
The author said, "The New Agenda spoke out about this too offred. Also unacceptable behavior!"
I've been to the website but I haven't been able to find the article she refers to. I'd like to read it if anyone can find it. I thought that particular incident was unforgivable and should have evoked more outrage from the MSM and female Republican.
http://thenewagenda.net/blog/
I'm inclined to give her the benefit of the doubt since her blog is affiliated with with MADE, Moms and Dads for Education to Stop Teen Dating Abuse [ http://www.loveisnotabuse.com/made/ ] .
"The New Agenda was founded on August 11, 2008 when 30 women from around the country met in New York to sketch out plans for a new women’s advocacy group. The attendees were from all walks of life from bankers to professors to community activists. It was the 2008 elections that provided the raison d’être for the new group: to support women in leadership roles, to draw a line in the sand against the sexism and misogyny so much in evidence in 2008, and to build a national organization to advance key goals for women."
have endured verbal assaults that are clearly sexist. There are certain struggles that should transcend politics...(i.e....CIVIL RIGHTS,dignity, fairness) Our daughter's future depends on your ability to say enough is enough. If you don't...you've conceded the ground that your predecessors fought so hard to take.
How would you characterize the these Republican men repeatedly interrupting these Democratic women when the women were trying to conduct the people's business?
"Rep. Kilroy: GOP Shouting Down Democratic Women Was A ‘Sexist’ Attempt To Put Us ‘In Our Place’ "
http://thinkprogress.org/2009/11/10/kilroy-gop-sexist/
Thank you.
Now Bachmann is being compared to Anita Hill. What an insult to every victim of sex abuse.
Specter was correct in handling of the situation.
For the Amy Siskinds of the world, it is always the Anita Hill hearings, no matter how unrelated the new situation is.
That'd teach 'im.
I may be male, yet I believe fully in women's equality and celebrate their contributions.
Michelle Bachmann does not behave like a woman, she behaves like a petulant child. As others have mentioned, she is a liar, and she constantly promotes hatred and ignorance. Whether she were a man or woman, I don't think she is worthy of our respect. I don't think anyone who promotes hatred is worthy of respect.
I don't know anything about your personal political views. I read your article and agree with your assessment of the events. I also thought (hoped) that other readers here might be able to set aside their political views and open their minds for just a moment. Unfortunately, you and I have both been dissappointed by the lack of objectivity displayed by most of the people who commented here.
It is sad when someone like you tries to reach out and transcend party lines, only to be kicked in the teeth by narrow minded people.
I think everyone has a right to his own opinion.
I just feel that the glaring hatred displayed here for Bachmann is the only reason that many of the commentators can't see Ms. Siskind's point.
In other words, you are letting your politics cloud your judgement on this.
I have witnessed committee chairs in both the House and Senate interrupt hundreds of witnesses who exceed the allotted time for their opening statements. It is very common for committee chair to interrupt committee members who continue to speak after their time has expired both during opening statements and questioning. On the floor of the House, the speaker or chairman of the committee of the whole interrupts members whose time has expired dozens of times everyday.
Just before Senator Schumer began the introductions, Senator Franken was the last committee member to give an opening statement. Franken had only been in the Senate for a week. His time limit was 10 minutes. He spoke for 9 minutes 30 seconds.
But I did not feel these remarks were sexist. He repeatedly asked her not to interrupt, and unlike your example of Sen. Leahy, he did not interupt Bachmann.