Sarah Palin's Retrograde Gender Politics
Check out Courtney's critical piece at the American Prospect that captures perfectly why Palin appeals to the patriarchy political machine with her use of conventional gender tropes.
And, in perhaps the most offensive display of her "wimp factor" agenda, she attempted to discredit community organizing by feminizing it. She sarcastically told conventioneering Republicans (along with millions of Americans watching on television), "I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a 'community organizer,' except that you have actual responsibilities." It was an eerie echo of what oblivious men in positions of traditional power have been saying for centuries: that the work of community building -- whether it be child-rearing, elder-caring, teaching, nursing, social work, or, yes, community organizing -- isn't really work at all. That, despite being the backbone of our economy and the heart of our civic life, it doesn't count because it doesn't involve power suits and bottom lines. What makes this ridicule of community-building even more ironic is that the GOP is simultaneously glorifying Palin's role as caregiver of her own sprawling family.
Just really go read the whole thing right now because it frames the story the right is trying to tell by picking Palin.
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I disagree with Palin just about 100%. But we can't let women be attacked just because they are women. Just because she is a woman it doesn't mean everything she says is in the context of "femininity".
Her point was simple and -- in view of the ferocious response -- apparently effective. She was responding to the Obama campaign's attempt to paint her as inexperienced when her experience is greater than his. I am an Obama supporter and I will be voting for him. But he is clearly lacking in executive experience. And claiming that somehow "community organizing" provides experience in executive management is just ... well... embarrassing.
Obama is superior to her in many ways, but in an argument about executive experience she just clearly wins. So, Obama, drop the argument; you are running against McCain not Palin.
If Palin and Obama were competing for a position in community organizing his experience and her lack of it would give him the edge. If all this campaign was about was executive experience her 8 years as Mayor and almost 2 years as Governor would trounce his total lack of executive experience. But this election is also about issues and vision and leadership so in my view, Obama's skill in those areas trumps her executive experience.
But this nonsense about Palin denigrating something by "feminizing" is just using her gender against her. Let's destroy her at the polls for being wrong on the issues, but let's not make it harder for future women to run by using sexism in an attempt to stop her.
You know what? As woman I am seriously confused about what some people consider sexism in talking about another woman. I even read on one feminist site that even though they don't like Sarah Palin we should "protect her" from sexism like when someone call her "pretty" or "perky" or that she sound "shrill". I find it sexist for anyone (man or woman) to tell me Palin need my protection. Why? Because she is a woman? Is she such a victim and so weak that we all must watch every little word we say about her? Is she or we so sensitive? I think not. I personally think her people are doing a good enough job "protecting her" from the media and hiding her while they accuse men,women, the media,feminists, democrats,liberals comedians, commentors,bloggers and anyone else who do not agree with their views as sexist. The only thing this campaign is achieving is making a mockery of the word.
Penny Rose-
I think I know what you mean, and I think "protect" is the wrong term. I think "stand up for" is more appropriate. We were seriously offended when Hillary Clinton was attacked based on her sex and even if we don't like her policies, Sarah Palin shouldn't have to deal with that crap either. It's not that she's a delicate flower, but we need to make a point that politics shouldn't be about what sex or ethnicity someone is, but what s/he stands for. So we shouldn't tolerate diversion from that
penny rose,
another thing to consider is that, if we give these jerks a pass on reducing Palin to her gender, they'll feel more license to do so in the future. the point is that this kind of misogyny is unacceptable no matter who it is directed at.
This was an amazing article. Thank you.
ThinkingClearly is right about this one. There is a bit of truth stretching in that article. Palin wasn't going after Obama's manhood with the community organizer comment but rather the fact that they attacked her experience. She was merely reminding everyone that she was Mayor and Governor. I mean I know she's a woman, but she still has the right to defend herself. Also, all this community organizers are great hog wash; they serve their own self interest. They are the folks who put prop 8 on the California ballot. They aren't all sunshine and roses.
They aren't all sunshine and roses.
Neither are mayors.
Being the mayor of a town of fewer than 10,000 people in no way prepares one to lead a city of millions, let alone a country of hundreds of millions. Suggesting that it does IMHO shows contempt for cities and city people, which (not coincidentally) is what Palin did in her convention speech.