No Laughing Matter

The media had barely gotten over the fact that Hillary Clinton sometimes wears v-neck tops when a new sexist observation began cropping up. Apparently she doesn't laugh -- she cackles.

The New York Times actually published a whole article on Friday delving into the phenomenon, going as far as to break with AP Style to capitalize the "c": The Cackle. As if it's the conventional wisdom by now that Clinton's laugh is her defining characteristic, and the best way to describe it is with this completely negative, gendered word:

cack·le (kkl)

v. cack·led, cack·ling, cack·les

v.intr
.
1. To make the shrill cry characteristic of a hen after laying an egg.

2. To laugh or talk in a shrill manner.

This is the type of descriptor we've come to expect from the likes Rush Limbaugh and Fox News -- neither outlet is exactly known for shying away from gender stereotypes. But aren't journalists at the "nation's newspaper" supposed to be better at finding original and creative ways of describing things than your run-of-the-mill conservative commentators? Words like "cackle" and "giggle" just fall back on stereotypes.

The article also points out Clinton's tendency to laugh in a rather forced manner when she's hit with difficult or embarrassing questions. That's a fair criticism. Say her laughter sounds fake or uncomfortable. Point out that it follows tough questions on topics like her Iraq war vote or her husband's legacy. It's certainly possible to critique her laughter -- and what it says about her campaign -- without resorting to gender stereotypes.

Perhaps one reason Clinton is so quick to force a laugh is that she's trying to counteract the "ball-busting bitch" image bestowed upon her by conservative pundits and, more subtly, by the mainstream media. If she's all serious, all the time, she feeds that stereotype. But she can't seem to get ahead by trying to infuse more humor, either. She addressed this herself, the Times notes, after she cracked a joke about her husband's infidelities, and reporters followed up with serious questions:

"You guys!" she said to reporters, chuckling, after the third question on the topic. "I thought I was funny. You guys keep telling me, lighten up, be fun. Now I get a little funny, and I'm being psychoanalyzed."

No kidding. Psychoanalyzed and basically called a witch.

Maureen Dowd managed to use the gender-neutral description "big belly laughs" in her Sunday column. Of course, that was only after she quoted New Republic literary editor Leon Wieseltier calling Hillary a nagging housewife.

In Slate, John Dickerson at least acknowledged the sexism inherent in descriptions like "cackle" and "giggle":

Like all aspects of the Clinton campaign, there's sexism in the giggle critique: Women can only laugh in certain preapproved ways. Historically, men have categorized women's laughter as a way to diminish them--they either cackle like a witch, or they titter like a schoolgirl.

And if Clinton's laugh wasn't high-pitched enough to warrant the witch or schoolgirl allusions, they'd no doubt be calling it "mannish."

Which brings up another interesting point: Presidential candidates have been forcing laughter for years -- to buy themselves a few more minutes before answering a question, to defuse tension in an awkward moment, to convey their lighter side to voters. But up until now, those candidates have always been male. Maybe Clinton's higher-pitched laugh is so often described as odd or jarring because it's in a whole different range than we're used to hearing from our presidential contenders.

I'm betting that the next time a woman runs for president, her laugh won't sound so strange.

Comments

[oogabooga]

Don't forget to say she's polarizing, shrill, has high negatives, should have divorced her husband, has hefty thighs...did I leave anything out lefties?

[Indiana]

While I find Hillary's "cackle" unfortunate, I lump it into the same category of issues as Edwards' $400 haircuts and hedge funds--diversions from the real issues which include, but are not limited to, New Orleans' recovery, infrastructure, health care, the war in Iraq, the possibility that we could be going to war in Iran...the list goes on and on.

[Kendo Nagasaki]

Hillary is the Republican candidate.

This is why Rupert Murdoch supports her and with Fox Noise.

If she wins the "Democrat" nomination and then either wins or loses the Presidential election we will have republican President again. More of the same Bushcrap for Corporations.

Its about time We the People took charge.

[Rescisco]

Laughing or cackling can both be forced or they can be sincere. In politics, nothing is sincere.

[TedB]

Sorry, Ann, but this laughter is forced and artificial. It is especially upsetting when she appears to be using it as a way to avoid tough questions. To me, her vote to authorize the Iraq War is no laughing matter.

[CaseyBabes]

"but this laughter is forced and artificial"
That laugh will come back to haunt her as it will pop up in innumerable camapign ads from the GOP. She's her own worst enemy.

[Balzac]

When questioned about her votes on the Iraq debacle, Hillary forced out an abrasive cackle, which raised my hackles.

Hillary is no more serious as a champion for women's rights than she is for any other cause. Hillary is working for Hillary.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

"Maybe Clinton's higher-pitched laugh is so often described as odd or jarring because it's in a whole different range than we're used to hearing from our presidential contenders."

Maybe it is so odd and jarring because it is new and inconsistent with our long-time experience with her. She is not new to us, but her laughter (if you want to call it that) is.

If she is going to fake it, couldn't she have started faking it 20 years ago so that would would have gotten used to it by now?

[WOLFWARRIOR]

Ann Friedman
No Laughing Matter

The fact that Hillary Clinton - she cackles

I'm not saying anything about her cackels - but her
heeeheeeheee for voting for WAR ...

BUT did she not lay a egg with her 90's health care ???

.

[melanie11]

Correct its no laughing matter..just an example of the primitive, yet commom hazzard that faces powerful women in the public eye.
How many have been compared to witches...think it over..most.
It's stupid. It's a cop-out.
It is no different for a racial slurr.

[Edwestern]

I think this is a fair observation, but most of the criticism I've heard towards Hillary on this is that the laughter seems out-of-place and over-enthusiastic. Which leads to speculation that it isn't authentic, but a calculated "tweak" developed in response to criticism. I think the laugh can accurately be described as a "cackle"; most women and men do not laugh in that sort of forced manner. So I don't believe that this criticism of Hillary, including use of the word "cackle" is meant to be sexist in any way. Don't forget that male politician's behaviors and quirks are analyzed constantly, it's not like men get a free pass to behave strangely.

[Republicnotademocracy]

"..it's not like men get a free pass to behave strangely."
~~~~~~~~~~­~~~~~~~~~~
Right! Just look at how Gore was criticized!

[eaglecapri]

It is what it is and unfortunately for her, the media is on to it. It's obvious she uses it when she's been stumped, duped and/or has to answer the tough questions. It's as if she's reaching into her memory bank to pull out the right scripted answer. If it is a nervous habit, it will be interesting if she can break it. I'm still waiting for President Bush to break out of his 'uhhhh uhhhhh' stutter when he's thinking of something to say....on his own.

In line with the article, here is my all-time favorite cackle moment. Bill Maher asks why we should vote for someone who can be fooled by George Bush. Hilarious! Or shall I say, Hillaryous!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWnQJX6s9lA

[Tubby]

NO nation wants its Chief Executive to be known for cackling!