I wrote this response to yesterday's article, Media Charged with Sexism. I think it was a little militant for the NYT, but it made me feel better to write it:
On behalf of Clinton supporters and feminists in this country, I'd like to thank you for speaking our collective minds: cable commentators aren't so subtle with their sexism.
However, it's impossible to not be angered by this piece simultaneously. Should I ignore the very deliberate delay of its publication? Why address the issue now, and not when MSNBC compared Chelsea to a prostitute back in February? In fact, the very political timing of this article undermines its message.
It's convenient to address this issue now, at the end of Clinton's campaign. You got your male candidate, mass media. Congratulations.
Yet acknowledging sexist tactics after the fact will not garner my vote, Chairman Dean. I haven't been baking pies and making babies for the past eighteen months, I've been stewing silently while watching cable commentators spew sexism. Don't patronize me.
Now accepting submissions.
Within the last 48 hours, we have witnessed her pseudo-concession speech and the emails insisting that she will support Barack Obama from this point forward. We have listened to the thank-yous for helping to kick-start one competitive campaign. At last, we shed a tear (perhaps multiple tears) as she addressed us on TV for one last time: our first, serious, female US presidential candidate.
We will support Barack Obama in his presidential candidacy. We believe his desire to bring change to this country; much like we have throughout the primary season.
But for those of us who have supported Hillary as our number-one nominee, there is a part of each one of us that needs space to grieve, vent, and grumble about all of the misgivings of this primary season - and the despicable way that the media (and, sometimes, other Americans) have discussed and deplored Hillary Clinton as both a woman and a candidate. Perhaps, while our healing begins, we can find space on here to applaud her as well.
In the days and weeks to come, we'll be collecting art and writings for submission to this blog. There is no deadline, and this is not something we intend to stop any time soon... so long as we need a space to keep on talking.
Please email thehillarycollective@gmail.com now to submit.
We will support Barack Obama in his presidential candidacy. We believe his desire to bring change to this country; much like we have throughout the primary season.
But for those of us who have supported Hillary as our number-one nominee, there is a part of each one of us that needs space to grieve, vent, and grumble about all of the misgivings of this primary season - and the despicable way that the media (and, sometimes, other Americans) have discussed and deplored Hillary Clinton as both a woman and a candidate. Perhaps, while our healing begins, we can find space on here to applaud her as well.
In the days and weeks to come, we'll be collecting art and writings for submission to this blog. There is no deadline, and this is not something we intend to stop any time soon... so long as we need a space to keep on talking.
Please email thehillarycollective@gmail.com now to submit.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
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