Why This Feminist Is Silent

[wlotus]

To: mcurtis@charlotteobserver.com.

Dear Ms. Curtis:

I read your article on feminists not jumping to Michelle Obama's defense in light of the sexism she is now facing from the media. I do not think Ms. Obama at any time defended Senator Clinton against the sexism in the media. Did you? If not, why are you defending Michelle Obama against it, and why did you not criticise Michelle Obama and the Obama supporters for not jumping to Senator Clinton's defense? I have looked through the archives of your recent op-ed pieces, and I don't see any articles solely devoted to that message. If I have missed them, please point me to them.

At the moment, this African-American female has chosen to fight a different battle. Rather than screaming about the sexism being turned on Michelle Obama--who, by the way, added to the din against Senator Clinton by saying one of the things she would have to consider before campaigning for Senator Clinton would be "her tone" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7yaD9OXZ_o&feature=related, minute 3:10)--I am turning my energies towards letting the DNC know I and millions of others like me will not meekly step aside and allow them to cram Senator Obama down our throats, as though he was fairly elected, rather than selected. Had I heard Michelle Obama screaming in Senator Clinton's defense, I would have had energy enough to spare for her defense. But now I will remain silent, just like she remained silent when the guns were pointing at a woman other than her.

Sincerely,
wlotus
New York, NY PUMA Democrat
http://blog.pumapac.org

Addendum, 27 June 2008: Ms. Curtis thanked me for sharing my view and said she had written an article after a Clinton rally that said anyone who had attended the rally would recognize the stereotypes as ridiculous. She also pointed out the conversation about these things will continue; the election season is far from over.

I'm glad the conversation will go on, thanks to groups like the PUMA PAC and Women for Fair Politics.

Comments

[verucas-chaos.livejournal.com]

As always....well put!

[ciardhapagan.livejournal.com]

There was also Michelle Obama's infamous- how can she run the country if she can't even can't keep her husband in line.

Excuse me, Bill's not a child, it's his job keeping himself "in line". And you know, Bill, unlike most guys who cheat, point blank said it was his own problem, it had nothing to do with Hillary. It was a sexual addiction.

Now, it did take the awfulness of the Ken Starr "investigation" for him to realize just how much his problem had hurt both Hillary and Chelsea. That finally got him to go to therapy to get his problem under control, and go into why he had a sex addiction in the first place.

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

Oh, good heavens, I missed that one. Sheesh!

I have not gotten a reply from Ms. Curtis. I would be very surprised, if I did.

[ciardhapagan.livejournal.com]

It was one of the first "gems" from her early on in the campaign. I missed the "tone" comment, but after that comment I noted in my reply I tuned out anything Michelle Obama said.

[bluesilverkdg.livejournal.com]

While Sen. Clinton certainly has endured her fair share of sexism (I hardly think that the attire and appearance of the men was dissected in the way that hers was), I've gotta admit, when I heard the "baby mama" comment, I thought it was just completely over the top.

Are there any specific instances where something as disrespectful was said about Sen. Clinton, from the media?

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

Yes, quite often. It's too late for me to find anything, but I'll try to remember to look up the references sometime tomorrow.

Here Are Some

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

http://mediamatters.org/items/200707180009

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/11/katie-couric-sexist-media_n_106595.html

http://www.alternet.org/election08/83810/

http://mediamatters.org/items/200801110010?f=h_top

And not a media gaffe: McCain's failure to put this supporter in their place when she called Senator Clinton a bitch. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/debra-condren/beat-the-bitch-straight-_b_72698.html)

Re: Here Are Some

[ciardhapagan.livejournal.com]

There were a couple of videos on You Tube as well collecting some the misogynist comments.

Obama made some himself- "claws come out", "periodically feeling down", The "99 Problems..." entrance at a rally, etc...

[haleiwatown.livejournal.com]

At the moment, this African-American female has a chosen to fight a different battle.

Might want to clean up that sentence if you haven't already sent this.

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

Ms. Curtis, an African-American woman like myself, has made a point in at least one other article to point out race as a reason why certain people are not likely to defend Michelle Obama. I wanted her to know not all African-American women share her point of view.

[haleiwatown.livejournal.com]

I understand why the sentence was included in the letter, but there's an extra 'a' in it.

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

Ah, missed that. Thanks!