WHAT HEELS: Sexists And The Feminists Who Enable Them
The New Agenda co-founder Amy Siskind takes on sexists who think it’s OK to attack conservative women, and feminists who think it’s OK to look the other way. Here’s an excerpt:
When is sexism acceptable? The answer should be never. Yet for many feminists in our country, only certain types of women have been worth defending. When a conservative woman is the target of an attack, many so-called feminists stay silent. This "selective sexism", or speaking out against sexism on a case by case basis, does not advance our national dialogue on women's issues. Rather, selective sexism allows a dangerous level of permissible sexism to live and breed in our country. The only way for the women of this country to truly move forward is to unite and speak out against all forms of sexism regardless of party or the source of the attack.
When Playboy publishes a piece titled So Right It's Wrong which is a "hate rape" fantasy of Guy Cambalo [contextual link added by The Stiletto] targeting ten conservative women, all women (and like-minded men) should be outraged and renounce this immediately. The identity and party affiliation of the 10 women is not of consequence – this is simply a despicable act.
Or when Ms. California, Carrie Prejean, voices her point of view on gay marriage and then becomes the target of an objectifying sexist rant by Keith Olbermann [video link added by The Stiletto for context], where's the outrage? Carrie is entitled to her point of view, and if you don't agree explain why - don't diminish her opinion by turning her into a sexual object.
Or when Governor Sarah Palin's 14 year-old daughter is the subject of a degrading and humiliating joke by David Letterman [video link added by The Stiletto for context], how can we let this be part of our culture? How would any one of us feel if this comment were directed at our daughter? And if Governor Palin were Governor "Sam" Palin, would Letterman dare to make that joke?
Issues are fair game, sexist treatment should not be.
Editorial Note: Siskind also quite rightly points out that the GOP's likening House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi to James Bond villainess "Pussy Galore" is also sexist and wrong (after The New Agenda complained to GOP Chairman Michael Steele, the Pelosi attack video was immediately pulled from YouTube). It should be noted, however, that this is the only recent example of right-wing sexism Siskind cites in her post as sexist attacks on prominent women are largely a liberal tactic these days.
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