Posted by
Angelina Sciolla on Monday, September 08, 2008 3:20:40 PM
Since I'm likely to get raked over the coals regarding my latest post, let me continue.
The very first post on this blog "Cleveland the end of the line..." was a rumination on Hillary's candidacy and the degree that sexism played in her demise. I was excoriated for it and told that my ideas were tired. Hmmm.
Well, today in the
San Francisco Chronicle, a committed "feminist" of the orthodox sort writes a similar piece defending Sarah Palin. It seems the issues I pointed out some months ago regarding the attitude towards Hillary (from the Matthews/Olberman set - now discredited wholesale as a result of their convention behavior), are coming to bear on Ms. Palin. Perhaps they are framed differently since these are very different women with different life experiences, but it seems that the latent sexism I pointed out but was slapped down for discussing is still in play.
My worry (and I alluded to this in my last post) is that the Republicans will be seen as hypocrites. First demonize Hillary and deny the sexism of the media and the Obama campaign, simply blaming her fall on her husband and her "weak" ideas. Then when she's kicked to the curb you take up her cause to get her supporters, marry it to a female VP nominee and create a brand new GOP-tailored heroine. The truth is we are seeing overt sexism here from all sides. Women can't win for losing. You're either a battle-axe in a pantsuit (Hillary) or a white trash Walmart shopper who couldn't possibly raise kids and have a career. (Palin).
Both of these women have been hit with it. It's just that it's uncommon to hear Republicans (and I am registered as such to vote!) cry sexism when so many were unsympathetic to a woman who was subject to it in the primaries.
My first post may not have been well developed. But I was on to something. And it has evolved into a very interesting commentary on women and society. Who are they truly allowed to be and are we sophisticated enough to accept a woman like Palin who, in may ways, breaks the stereotypes?
I praise McCain for selecting her. It was risky, even visionary. It may even be the difference in this campaign. Who knows what impact it will have on women - on both sides of the aisle.