Sexism. It's Not Just About Hillary Clinton Anymore

When someone calls Hillary Clinton a bitch, it's not just about her.

It's about me and my fellow MOMocrats and my sister. It's about my mother and my aunts and my daughter. It's about mothers and friends and women who haven't even become the next generation of leaders, yet.

Of course, as the Women's Media Center rightly points out in its new video called Sexism Sells, But We're Not Buying It Anymore, we've been focusing on the wrong thing. The MSM doesn't limit its use of terms like "soppy," "bitchy," "castrating," "nagging," or "Wicked Witch of the West" to Hillary.

The most famous and infamous TV pundits aren't reserving their 'looks are everything' moments to talk of Hillary's cleavage or wrinkles. There are no limits. We are all fair game.

I have no doubt that, as usual, in response to this sort of challenge to how women are treated in the news media, there will be many who rush to say that we aren't the targets. That it really is about Hillary Clinton.

As my grandfather used to say, do I look like I just fell off the turnip truck?

But don't take it from me. Take a few minutes and watch the video. Then tell me with a straight face that I'm doing the wrong thing by not letting my eight-year-old daughter watch any television news "analysis."

When she's done shaking her head over why Chris Matthews still has a job, you can find Joanne at her place, PunditMom, as well as MOMocrats and BlogHer, where she is a Contributing Editor for Politics & News.

Follow Joanne Bamberger on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PunditMom

Comments

[Countess]

Hillary Clinton is a poor candidate no matter what her gender. Her supporters try to gloss over her weakness as a candidate by blaming everyone but her. No one forced her to use religious and racial smears or saying she wants to obliterate Iran or wrapping herself in racist cloth to win white votes from ignorant prejudiced people and she alone is responsible for what she says. We have looked into her soul and it is a very dark place.

[Celliott]

I totally agree with this commentary. The sexism in this primary race and in the country is over the top. Even Hillary's male supporters exhibit their own level of sexism with some of their offensive comments: Testicular fortitude, carnvalle's comment on giving Barack one of Hillary's "balls", Also, comments and innuedo from Bill Clinton himself; saying that Barack is feminine because he whins and suggests he act like man and suit up for the race. It's all disgusting and I'm glad its coming out on the national stage. Hopefully, an authenthic discussion can begin to take place.

Also, as an African American woman, I have also seen displays of racism etched with sexism. People talking about Michele Obama whether she pretty or not. Comparing her beauty to that of Cindy McCain, supposedly the great white beauty. I've even seen on some blogs where Michele is pictured in the likeness of "Aunt Esther" Those of you old enough to remember Sanford and Son; know of the protrayal of Aunt Esther as the unattractive, and emasuclating black woman.. My point here is yes I recognize the sexism experienced by Hillary, but her supporters and other white women don't recognize the racism and sexism we woman of color endure. The images of sexism we see with Hillary are all based on a white perspective. So, her encounters does not speak for all of the women in America.

[hapkidokid]

I’m sorry, but anyone who can casually toss about the phrase to obliterate a country, and thereby threaten to commit nuclear genocide, is deserving of the B*tch designation. Hell, she’s a War-Monger B*tch! Better??

Stupid is as stupid does.

[BluesDogLefty]

So, I don't see how some HRC supporters are going to blame another victim of discrimination--a different kind of discrimination--this doesn't make sense. Example: Obama is only the 3rd African American to be elected to the Senate since the Civil War; only 2 African Americans have been Governors. There are 16 women Senators right now and 8 Governors. I just dont see how one could quantify who has been victimized more.

Bottom line: I despise sexism as much as racism. But I have nothing in this election process that would dissuade me from supporting the Democratic nominee--Senator Obama. Also, I don't want to see more conservative judges on the Supreme Court,which will undoubtedly be the result of supporting McCain to spite Obama for things he did not do.

[BluesDogLefty]

I agree with your point about sexist language.

1) Obama campaign did not participate in this sexist language. So, when HRC supporters talk about voting for McCain--I don't understand.

2) Certainly, HRC experienced disadvantages because of sexism, but that does not mean that Obama has benefited--at least not any more than HRC has benefited from racist attitudes toward Obama. Obama certainly has been the victim of racism in this campaign (not talking about HRC campaign here).

3) If it was reversed and HRC was in the lead, couldn't people site racism as a reason to vote for McCain to spite Clinton? That too would not make sense.

4) Also, HRC campaign has been flawed in many ways. A lot of why she has lost is out of her control; i.e. positioning herself a long time ago as the "experience" candidate in what turned out to be a "change" election cycle.

5) HRC campaign fired people for racist stuff about Obama (the crack dealer stories etc) and there was the Muslim garb pics that came from the someone in the HRC camp. Are not these incidents an hurtful to African American women?

[Ravoon]

Joanne, dear, I have a dialup connection and cannot manage to watch your link without timing out my aged computer.
Would you be so kind as to elucidate your point in print? Like many of HIllary's Appalachian supporters I am technologically challenged, but ready to respond to facts.
Give me a few, please.