Palin, Media, and Political Correctness--Part 2

As you know, I wrote yesterday from the heart. I am a woman who fought hard as a single mother to provide a home for my child. I know what living with a double standard is like.I know what it is like to be denied a job because of my sex. Maybe that is why I was so encouraging to have someone like Palin as a role model for women. I was hopeful that things were improving. Palin wasn’t a woman born into Kennedy style wealth, but she was able to run for political office anyway.

Then people who preach equal rights—but obviously don’t practice what they preach—use sexism and misogyny to drag her down. I found the Obama/wink commercial highly offensive and wondered if I was the only person in America who felt this way. A search on the Internet proves that I’m not. Democrats as well as Republicans are speaking out about this affront to women.

I would like to present you with some comments about the Obama/Palin Wink Commercial. These comments are taken from people who know far more about political issues than I. Some see the Obama Campaign’s sexism as a trend that first showed itself in the primary against Clinton.

Perhaps this is more of a character flaw than a trend.

Prameela Bartholomeusz, a member of the Democratic Party's platform committee: "I am once again stunned at the personal and sexist attacks by the Obama campaign against Gov. Palin. This latest ad is sexist and offensive. ... Sen. Obama never spoke up against sexism during the primary season, and is not speaking out against misogyny during this phase of the election season -- he is contributing to it."

Stephanie Bressler, a Hillary Clinton supporter, University of Scranton women and politics professor: "It's a sexist example of reducing a woman to an object - a wink - and denying her a voice. Her lips are actually moving, but she's not allowed to be heard."

Shelly Mandell, president of Los Angeles chapter of the National Organization for Women, called the ad "sexist and demeaning to women. These tactics started with Hillary Clinton and continue, growing even more disgusting with Gov. Palin. I was a Hillstar for Hillary and an avid supporter. Trashing two women clearly in a sexist manner in one election is an outrage and must be identified and stopped."

Judy Singleton, co-chair of Indiana Women for McCain, called the ad "an affront to talented women everywhere. To imply that Gov. Palin doesn't understand economics because she's pretty and winks is ridiculous."

My source for these quotes is The Dallas Morning News.

Palin, Media, and Political Correctness--Part 1

My goal has been to write a Blog that is about positive things. I never wanted to be controversial or political. Today and tomorrow I will make exceptions because something has happened that is so bothersome, I can’t, in good conscious, ignore it. Please forgive me, knowing that I am speaking from my heart.

I hope that you will agree that misogyny is wrong—just as racism is wrong—always. Misogyny is the showing of hatred toward women. The end does not justify the means.

In 1984 Geraldine Ferraro was the first woman to run as a Vice President of the United States. The Republicans, for the most part, took the high road. She was not openly criticized for her sex. She had not run a state, but she was considered competent all the same. There was one event, however, that I did find discouraging. I believe it was in Houston when a microphone was left on that George Bush, senior (then V. P.) mentioned that after a debate that he had kicked Ferraro’s behind—though that was not the word the Texan would use. I found the comment so filled with misogyny that I lost a great deal of respect for him.

Now we have a new woman running for Vice President for the United States. I was sure that we were more enlightened than we were in the 1980s. How could her sex be an issue? In a country that was so filled with political correctness, I was sure she wouldn’t be asked about things like, “who would care for the children.” No one asked a male candidate that. Naturally she would use caregivers, just like every other working mother in the U. S. They wouldn’t treat her like some bimbo. She has run an entire state—which is far more experience than some other candidates. This isn’t the 1960s. The media would treat her respectfully. We are a politically correct society.

Boy was I wrong.

Could hate language be fueling a propaganda machine against a woman who had the courage to live the American dream? Could it be that the powers that flood our TV are filled with misogyny? That would explain the fixation with stiletto shoes.

As these thoughts filled my mind I viewed the Obama/wink commercial. This was far worse than anything Bush Sr. said about Geraldine Ferraro. This single commercial set women back to the days of Women’s Suffrage and made me physically ill. How could an attractive woman know anything about politics? The commercial might as well have had the caption read: Don’t worry your pretty little head honey. Let the men take care of the country.

Tomorrow I will have thoughts about this topic from individuals with more political savvy that me. These comments will be references. Thank you for indulging me.