This week, Hillary Clinton told the Washington Post that she believes sexism has negatively impacted her campaign.
She said:
It's been deeply offensive to millions of women. I believe this campaign has been a groundbreaker in a lot of ways. But it certainly has been challenging given some of the attitudes in the press, and I regret that, because I think it's been really not worthy of the seriousness of the campaign.
When asked if the campaign had been racist, she said no, adding:
The manifestation of some of the sexism that has gone on in this campaign is somehow more respectable, or at least more accepted, and . . . there should be equal rejection of the sexism and the racism when it raises its ugly head. It does seem as though the press at least is not as bothered by the incredible vitriol that has been engendered by the comments by people who are nothing but misogynists.
Hillary's surrogates have gone so far to say that Barack Obama has in fact benefited from the fact that he is black. Meanwhile, others argue that far from sexist, the Democratic primary has broken sexist barriers for a new generation of women leaders.
Should Hillary have delivered a defining "gender" speech, as Barack Obama gave his race speech and Mitt Romney gave a religion speech? Do you agree with Hillary Clinton? Has she been a target for sexism, more than Barack Obama has suffered from racism?
Miu Miu
Giorgio Armani
Emporio Armani
Is it just me or does it seem like the majority of the sexist/racist remarks tend to be coming from the same side that has an African American and a Woman running.......
1I don't think she hasn't been getting a fair shake because she's a woman. I think she hasn't been getting a fair shake because most media outlets seem to have a boner for Obama.
Speaking of which, "I have a boner for Obama" would be a great bumper sticker... that "change" slogan is getting tired.
2I believe there are many women who are only voting for her, because her gender. Same goes to Obama, there are many people who only vote him because his skin colour.
Superficial and shallow? Extremely stupid reasoning? Yes.
I'm from Finland, so this election doesn't concern me that much. On the other hand, president of United States of America has some impact on the whole world. Heh.
3And there will be many who will vote for McCain because he's a White guy.
Superficial, shallow and extremely stupid reasoning? Yes.
And the majority of the racist/sexist remarks aren't just coming from Dems. Regardless to how overt or covert, both sides, Dems and Repubs, are guilty of playing the race card, the sex card and whatever other card they can to tear down their opponent. The Repubs. are doing it covertly, but they are still doing it and in a major way.
Hillary needs to stop. I'm so over hearing this gripe about her being treated unfairly because she's a woman. Whatever Hillary. Hillary is losing because of how she ran her campaign, not because she's being attacked due to her gender, or because people aren't ready to vote for a woman. Give me a break.
4I think both in both ways, that’s the way of the world, especially in a country made of up many different backgrounds.
Racism is there, it has both hurt Obama (WV anyone?) and helped him (getting 90% of the AA vote).
Sexism is there, it has both helped (feminist, older women strongly support her) and hurt her (all the media crap).
I would point out though, that while the sexism is more overt in the media, it has affected the voting to lesser degree than racism. People talk about Clinton in sexist terms, mostly b/c that is not considered as "taboo" as racism, but number-wise there is no real gender gap, which makes me think sexism is not as harmful as she thinks, I mean a lot of her success, both their success is helped by being the first woman and first African American.
I also think people need to move past these categories and focus/analyze the "education" and "money" gap - why are most blue collar/low income voters going for the "white woman" who worked for Walmart as opposed the "black man" who worked on the streets of Chicago - or why are so many educated/higher income voters leaving the veteran politician who has a strong reputation within the party for the new guy?
I've always wondered about this b/c it always seems like it should be the other way around - yet the gap is huge in the other direction!
5what's the "ism" for elderly people?
we're getting that you know!
6Ageism. I guess that poll is soon to come.
7Hillary just sounds like a sore loser - her side tossed plenty of shocking things at Obama. And yeah, she was criticized for the laugh, but did you notice Howard Dean in the last election, after the 'booyah'? Too many women have gotten too far in this country without boosts from former president husbands for her to claim that sexism cost her the nomination. She should spend her down time reading about Barbara Jordan and Shirley Chisolm.
8I personally think that people have gone out of their way not to be sexist and racist with the Democratic Party. It reminds me of a lame excuse some pull when they don't get a job. "Oh it was because I'm a woman." Oh, I bet it's because I'm black." Save the excuses. I'm not saying sexism and racism don't exist, but they've come this far right? And that's pretty remarkable to see in our lifetime.
9i think we should scrap the convention and stage a wet t-shirt watermelon eating contest.
10
sounds good to me!
11I am sure there are people out there that wouldn't vote for her because she is a woman, but I am having a really hard time remembering an example of where the media was sexist. From my perspective, Clinton is the one who talked about her gender the most.
12I agree with DesignRchic. People have had to work so hard to make sure that they do not say anything that can even be construed as racist/sexist, even if that is clearly NOT the intention of what they are saying.
13I think that the sexist rhetoric is out there and (like weight) is something people still think is ok to joke about or simply talk about. The reporting on a woman's outfit and the man's speech is still out there, and discredits the efforts of women to be serious.
However, I think racism is a harsher, bigger divide (and as a feminist that is a hard one for me to admit). Seeing the facts on what demographics are voting, and why, has been shocking. I believe the Daily Show even made the joke about WV's slogan changing to 'no interviews please' after so many people were on the news saying our people and their people and not voting for a black man. I know that some of the why people don't like Hillary is on the not liking a woman that acts like her or whatever, and that is sexist if they'd like her as a man, but the sexes aren't segregated. We all know and trust and work and live with people of the opposite gender. We know they're not all the same, we accept differences, etc. Race isn't the same - there are whole pockets of the country where there is almost no integration and no one is forced to confront false assumptions about their prejudices. It just feels uglier to me (again, so hard as a fem) and more devastating to those discriminated against.
14Can someone explain why making fun of her laugh is sexist?
She has a psycho-fake laugh, it has nothing to do with being a woman, sorry Hill. People make fun of GWB's laugh all the time - the quiet hehehehe (see John Stewart)- and they do that b/c it is a weird, funny sounding laugh, not b/c he's of his sex...
15megnmac - well said, I agree 100%.
16i think we should scrap the convention and stage a wet t-shirt watermelon eating contest.
I'm curious, how do you eat a watermelon in a wet T-shirt?
17To me, this sounds like sour grapes. "Of course it's sexism that I'm losing. It can't be because people don't like me" (Sarcastic reasoning to be used by the Clinton camp.) IMO Hillary needs to take a big breath, look at the data, come to the conclusion that she can't win under the given parameters, and be an adult about the whole thing.
18"Can someone explain why making fun of her laugh is sexist?"
I think I remember reading that it was construed as sexist because they referred to it as a "witch-like cackle". I think that phrase is what made people think it was sexist.
I don't have much of an opinion on this issue, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't think certain things were sexist/racist/whatever in this race (e.g. the use of the word "pimping" in relation to Hillary bringing Chelsea out on the campaign trail, and only Hillary, not the other candidates, etc.). But there's always some sort of bias, so...meh.
19I never thought I would see Hillary Clinton become so pathetic. When she was winning by 30 points no one was sexist then huh? And what the hell are these sexist comments her and her camp are even talking about? They are grasping at the most ridiculous excuses to say why she's winning...with her fuzzy math, and why she's losing all of a sudden it's because of sexism. I've never seen one democratic candidate do so much to rip a party apart! How pathetic.
20AND she has a nerve to say there is no racism when her own HUSBAND has been calling Barack a kid, saying this is the biggest fairy tale he's ever seen. Comparing Obama's win to Jessie Jackson's S.carolina win donkey years ago back in like 1983! They have been the most polarizing and have done everything they could to "remind" the American people that Obama is black. So what the hell is she talking about!
21I think the media has been unfair to Hillary, but only because she started slamming them very early on in her campaign. You can't tell the media/reporters how unfair and wrong they are and then expect them to show you as all rainbows and sunshine.
22Some people are sexist and some people are racist.
How can we quantify what our country has MORE of? Do we want to bother?
The fact that Hillary is whining about this just confirms my distaste for how she handles things. To say that HER experience of sexism is more damaging than Obama's experience of racism is absurd. How did she come to that conclusion? Because she's losing?
Like Jill, I'd LOVE to see how the media has been sexist towards Hillary. Saying she laughs like a witch isn't sexist! What else? Is that all they have?
Anyway, Hill, if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen! Or is that sexist, you know, because it implies that as a woman you must spend all your free time in the kitchen.
23Okay, about the witch thing - I still don't see sexism, I mean it's an evil sounding laugh; what is a female evil figure - a witch, the comparison is based on the sound of her laugh, not her sex.
Bush sounds like every little evil man in "taking over the world" cartoons - again b/c of of the way his laugh sounds.
Another thing, how can you say NO to racism flat out when you made the comment that you should be the nominee b/c you have the white vote and Obama can't get it????
This election has made me sad, I used to look up to her as a successful woman in higher esteem - I still think she is amazing in what she has accomplished, but I feel like she let me down.
24"Some people are sexist and some people are racist.
How can we quantify what our country has MORE of? Do we want to bother?"
I agree. Let's just unite and send the message that sexism and racism are both not American values.
It reminds me of my old hometown, very tiny...when people would make racist or homophobic jokes, I think the moments after that are the MOST important. Do you stay quiet and let the people that made those comments think the sentiments are embraced? Do you let the people listening think that the entire group shares those thoughts? Or do you speak up and let the person and everyone that heard it know that prejudice just makes you look ignorant?
Our country has to speak up and let people know that we have moved passed prejudice of all kinds, and that they need to catch up.
25oooh I have to take the train. BUT you best believe I will be back in a minute with my views on how sexist this race really has been. See you soon.
26"Our country has to speak up and let people know that we have moved passed prejudice of all kinds, and that they need to catch up."
That's hard to do when while the whole WORLD is watching we have an American candidate Hillary embracing the fact that she gets the white vote and she claims her black opponent can't! She embraces the fact that the people who are voting for her, lets take last nights primaries for example, I believe the numbers were 9 out of 10 people who voted for her said that RACE is an issue for them and they wouldn't vote for a black man!
It's good to say, oh America we aren't about that, but clearly a huge part of America is.
27LMAO @ harmonyfrance
I can't wait to read your post.
28I'm almost nervous to see HF's post.
Go Team Red
29"Our country has to speak up and let people know that we have moved passed prejudice of all kinds, and that they need to catch up."
I have a video posted in my profile that would scare and disappoint you, the same way it scared and disappointed me. The craziest part was it was not even subtle or "just words/jokes" racism/prejudice, it was out right disrimination - Jim Crow style in 2007!!!
LINK: http://teamsugar.com/user/zeze/videos/1528323
I don't add much to my profile, but that video really freaked me out, I realize the location might be an issue, but no place in our country should be like this.
30This reminds me of a Women's Studies class I took in college (probably the WORST class I ever took...it was incredibly one sided). We had a debate one day over whether we would first see a woman President or a black President and reached no censensus. I think both Clinton and Obama have faced predjudices that have nothing to do with anything other than one being a woman and one being not white. But, I do think the downfall for Clinton is that her personality rubs many people the wrong way.
My fiance's family runs a gun store, so we can get an interesting perspective from mainly conservative types. Most people seem to not like Obama for his policies, but it is pretty hard to figure out if they don't like Clinton because of her policies or if they would dislike her even if she were conservative. Obviously, gun store customers aren't an acurate cross section of American society, but that's kind of what I've observed.
BUT, I do think that Clinton has done so much for women with political ambitions. Like her or dislike her, you have to hand her that much.
31"That's hard to do when while the whole WORLD is watching we have an American candidate Hillary embracing the fact that she gets the white vote and she claims her black opponent can't!"
I agree that her comments and her surrogates have intentionally fueled this racist fire.
Call me crazy, but I even though racism still exists, I do not think that the majority of Americans think that way. There is no way Obama would have been able to win the majority of states, and many of them "white states", if people were as racist as it would seem. There are pockets of deep seeded racism, but I think overall our country has moved beyond that. Partially, I think, because people are migrating to bigger cities to find work, and there they have to interact with people who are different than them. Interaction kills the stereotypes.
That is why I think it is important for the non-racist to stand up. We are the majority, and we need to let it be known.
32Clinton is talking on the TV trying to guarantee that FL and MI will be counted, and they are fighting the good fight. She also said it isn't about party rules, or the candidates, it's about the votes.
She's only making this argument because SHE'S BEHIND. If she was ahead, and lost FL and MI, I bet she wouldn't be making this argument.
33While I do see in the media and other places in our culture a greater tolerance for misogyny than racism IN SOME CASES, I think it is an incredibly reductive argument to make that is ZERO help to either minority group not to mention a presidential campaign. I'm for some reason really sad she went there.
I think later down the road, upon reflection of her campaign, it would be appropriate to analyze the political climate and attitudes of the time but right now, instead on focusing on how much more sexist this country is than racist, I wish she'd talk about her vision and hope for the future.
34Clinton is so pathetic she's using every way she can to win this. If she wanted Fl and Mich to count then why did she agree that their votes shouldn't count......oh because she needs them now. She claims that she wins the popular vote......oh but that's not true and she fails to tell you that her popular vote numbers includes Fl and Mich numbers, how pathetic when Obama wasn't even on the ballot in Mich and never campaigned in Fl because they AGREED not to! Then she doesn't want to count the caucus, then she wants to say Obama can't get white votes.....which he clearly has, he wouldn't be where he is if he didn't. Oh and lets not forget her argument that older women won't vote for him, also not true. I mean this woman goes on and on and the latest is the sexism argument what a freaking joke she's become!
35Oh and megnmac - I too agree with a lot of what you had to say, but this is kind of my point. It would be one thing if she were running against a white male but as it stands we've got an African American man running against a White Woman and it should be a historic and proud moment for the country and the Democratic party.
Claiming that she's had it worse than Obama just opens up such a icky debate. As the leader of this party she should be looking out beyond Obama at the Republican party, who's policies on education and health care negatively impact both groups instead of getting into an argument over who's treated crappier.
36"She's only making this argument because SHE'S BEHIND. If she was ahead, and lost FL and MI, I bet she wouldn't be making this argument."
I agree. She said in October that she agreed they shouldn't count. She signed pledges agreeing to withdraw from Michigan like all other democratic candidates like Edwards, Richardson, Biden, etc. She is doing a 180 on this issue.
I don't see how any reasonable person could suggest that Michigan should be counted as is.
37"She claims that she wins the popular vote......oh but that's not true and she fails to tell you that her popular vote numbers includes Fl and Mich numbers."
Her math also doesn't include caucus states.
38There has definitely been a lot of sexist crap here. What really bothers me is how much people are constantly trying to convince themselves and others that it doesn't exist. She is held to a standard that men simply aren't. Does anyone ever talk about how the men look or dress? No. If any of the men got the tiniest bit emotional when talking about something important to them, would people call it crying? Hell no. If a man had a wife who was in a political position before they were, would anyone claim their wife got them there? No. If you don't see it, you've got blinders on. It's still considered ok to weigh people differently based solely on gender, and that is something that has to change.
39I don't know...I think both of these arguments are pretty weak. Of course Clinton is going to say that there is sexism going on! I was watching CNN (or maybe MSNBC?) and they were asking if things would be going the same had OBAMA been the one to struggle. If Clinton was winning superdelegates left and write, states, and endorsements, would people have pressured Obama to step down much sooner? Would he be out by now? They were basically trying to pose the question of racism and sexism, and speculate how it could have turned out differently. I think that's ridiculous though. I don't think Obama would have gotten less of a chance than Hillary to keep fighting. Besides, it's mainly HER that keeps insisting this "isn't over." Sucks though, because if she keeps doing this, she really might divide the party. On the other hand, I am on the Obama team all the way, but I absolutely think that all of those Hillary votes can't be just ignored. Those people voted for her and should see this all the way through.
40AKirsten, you say people talk about how she looks well they talk about Obama being skinny with big ears also.
You say if men got emotional they wouldn't call it crying, sorry but she DID cry that's just pure FACT! Remember Dean with that yelp! He was OVER after that!
You say people claim her husband got her there. Well guess what she can't have it both ways, she's constantly citing what she did while her HUSBAND was president!!!! Come on, she uses his presidency as an advantage and would be a fool not to.
41The problem is not just the media. The problem is that sexism is alive and well in America. Racism is too, but it's looked at as abhorrent while the everyday sexist remarks are thought to not be that big of a deal. If she shows any emotion, she's attacked as weak or manipulative. If she stays on message and shows no emotion, she's cold and calculating. If she laughs (or cackles)she's acting. If she stares down critics or fires back, she's a scary witch, or a b*tch. She has to walk a tight rope of stereotypes to keep her head above water. People find an odd enjoyment in bashing her. Feminist cracks are just for fun, right? But racist cracks are completely unacceptable. The double standard is mind boggling.
Okay I think I'm going to have to write an actual blog about this, but here's some highlights:
Hair
cankles
cleavage
pant suits
ugly
b*tch
skank
hag
crone
witch
Iron my shirt
back to the kitchen
testicular fortitude
if she couldn't keep bill how could she run the country
mocking her emotional moment
nutcracker
Tucker Carlson saying when Clinton comes on TV "I involuntarily cross my legs"
How do we beat the b*tch? John McCain replies "excellent question"
I was curious so I searched for Facebook groups:
-Life's a b*tch don't vote for one- 733 members
-Hillary Clinton is a man and I won't vote for him- 448 members
-Hillary Clinton can't control Bill so how is she going to control a country- 424 members
-If Bill Clinton didn't want Hillary, why would we? -355 members
-PUT HILLARY CLINTON BACK IN THE KITCHEN -263 members
-Those Who Think Hillary Clinton Is An Ignorant b*tch, Say "I" -242 members
-Bill Clinton sucks........Hillary swallows -229 members
-Hillary Clinton Can't Be The First Woman President Because She Has A Penis -224 members
-Hillary Clinton is a dirty skank -208 members
-Hillary Clinton is a man -202 members
-Hillary Clinton is a b*tch -385 members
-Hillary Clinton....The man, the myth, the end of the world- 189 members
-Hillary Clinton's Menstrual Cycle Was The Main Cause of Hurricane Katrina- 175 members
-Hillary Clinton Has a 40 lb. Vagina- 113 members
-I Wanna Kick Hillary Clinton In The Balls!- 100 members
-Hillary Clinton is a stupid wh*re- 95 members
-Hillary Clinton Should Get off the Campaign Trail and back in the Kitchen- 73 members
Hillary Rodham Clinton is a slut, and will never be my presiden- 65 members
This is not to mention the infamous 38,244 members of the Facebook group “Hillary Clinton: Stop Running for President and Make Me a Sandwich.”
Yes I'm sure that most of these are just a joke. HAHAHA so funny. If there were this many racial groups about Obama people would be appalled. I am appalled at how sexist this race and country is, but makes it even more appalling is the fact that people refuse to recognize it.
42Thanks AKirsten. It is true that people have blinders on towards the sexism that was rampant in this campaign. I guess it shows how accepted sexism really is in our country.Racism everyone is very careful about, but exism is out there blatantly.
43Harmonyfrance, those were great examples. Well said.
44She is absolutely in the position she's in because her husband was the President.
How anyone can deny that is beyond me. It's not sexist!
I would see it the same way if the situations were reversed. If you don't believe me, try me! Find me an example. Otherwise don't make ridiculous assumptions.
And finally, Hillary should be embarrassed to go after Michigan's delegates, where Obama wasn't even on the ballot. Only someone who wants to win by cheating would stoop so low. It's disgusting and desperate.
And now, that's not sexist. I would say the same thing if Obama were doing it.
45Harmony, interesting list.
But are we really considering Facebook to be our media?
I'm more interested in how the actual legitimate media sources have portrayed her, not kids with too much time on their hands.
Anyway, I'm not saying no one is sexist. But issues like the fake laugh and her manipulativeness to me are claims that would be made about anyone with a fake laugh who was manipulative. I don't think her gender is the cause of that.
46I would like to point out that it was WOMEN who were talking about Hillary's dress. That's not sexism, that's women being catty.
47Harmonyfrance, so your proof is facebook? Not saying that those polls aren't sexist and ignorant but facebook? There are actual magazines printing pictures of a rifle being aimed at Obama. You have Huckabee joking that he had Obama assasinated! You have pundits on CNN claiming egg heads and blacks are the ones who vote for Obama. And I'm sure if you did a search on hate groups for Obama it would make this look like cotton candy. Just go on youtube and see the hate. Obama had to be the first candidate to use the secret service because of treats. Sorry but I thought this argument was more about actual media, of course you'll easily find this type of hate/sexism online if you look for it!
48Hillary Clinton comes from a position of power and privilege in this country and has no right to claim victim.
49No I'm not listing just media references although there is a website that is keeping track of every sexist media remark. I'll get you the link if you want. They are up to
50My arguement is that of course the media is sexist because America is sexist. America is also racist, but we are having that conversation. Just as Obama pointed out in his racism speech we can't just accept these things as par for the course. He talks about breaking racial stereotypes. I agree, but I think it's completely applicable with sexism also. I think that this race has re-awoken some to the extreme sexism in this country. Of course it's better here than in other countries, but we haven't won. The war isn't over. It's just silly to claim otherwise.
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