Feminism and Hillary: Dead Or Wading?
Hillary Clinton has shown resolve in the past few weeks that Obama could never have, with the Ferraro incident and being called a monster. What I wonder is if this is due to a fact that women just have to deal with more in the political realm.
I say this not just as a Clinton supporter, but someone who values a woman's right to be inventive and insightful in the marketplace. And, yes, do I think it's good that the focus is on the Democratic candidates, but I feel like the pressure has been on Hillary the majority of the time, according to a Pew study, which says that he ha received the most press over time. Sure, the media is trying to respond to these kinds of things, especially with the whole pastor scandal, but it still bothers me that this is considered fine.
No one is considering that Hillary is being attacked because people just don't like women, especially those that want to be in some sort of powerful uber-position, like the presidency of the United States. Maybe it's just me, but I think that has something to do with it, not just relatable qualities.
I say this not just as a Clinton supporter, but someone who values a woman's right to be inventive and insightful in the marketplace. And, yes, do I think it's good that the focus is on the Democratic candidates, but I feel like the pressure has been on Hillary the majority of the time, according to a Pew study, which says that he ha received the most press over time. Sure, the media is trying to respond to these kinds of things, especially with the whole pastor scandal, but it still bothers me that this is considered fine.
No one is considering that Hillary is being attacked because people just don't like women, especially those that want to be in some sort of powerful uber-position, like the presidency of the United States. Maybe it's just me, but I think that has something to do with it, not just relatable qualities.
posted by Anonymous | 4:37 PM
7 Comments:
This is just so funny, I argued with my best friend last night about this SAME topic. He, being an Obama fan, feels that Hillary is just receiving bad media attention because she is behind Obama. I told him how ludicrous that sounded.
I really think that Hillary is tore apart in the media, and I'm not sure why. I find it hard to believe it is just because she is a Clinton, yet I do think that is a significant part of the deal.
I also find that the media is stifling the Feminist Movement with the constant harassment and portrayal of Hillary. It is possible that this portrayal can be the source of why some Democrats feel that this nomination is splitting the party in two.
Mary, I really agree with you. I hate to channel Geraldine Ferrraro - because we
know where that got her and Clinton - but Hillary has to deal with a lot more
than Obama simply because she is a woman. In addition to the ever present
double standard, the language expectancy theory can also be applied to the
situation and struggle Hillary is facing in her road to the White House. Sure,
maybe in quantity Hillary has received more press, but it has not been the
positive press received by the Obama camp. As the SNL sketch said, "Barack, do
you need anything?" "Hillary, respond to every issue in this campaign and don't
worry we'll beat you down no matter what you say."
To be honest, I think some of the reason Hillary is being attacked more in the media is, in fact, because she is a woman. Perhaps the media is testing her limits... seeing how she responds to criticism and even ludicrous attacks. Having a female presidential candidate is much more of a change in what we've seen throughout the history of presidents than simply a change in race. Who knows, maybe its also just because she is a Clinton.. I just believe media wants to try to push the limit and evaluate her response.
In the past and still today it is talked about openly that women are not as strong as men in every respect. I know we talk about this all the time in my Female Beauty class about how men are thought to be the 'big man' and are ones to turn to for help with everything. With this knowledge I think that it is safe to say that Hillary is being tested. The media doesn't think she is as strong as she is portrayed right now and so they are going to do everything they can to find out what her weaknesses are, if she even has any. I think it is interesting to see that no other male candidates have ever been open to this kind of scrutiny, but it seems like because of our history, it is inevitable. I feel that if she does win the nomination the scrutiny will only get worse.
I'd like to think the world is a better place than that. As Mary puts it, "people just don't like women." But the truth is, I guess I won't know until I'm out living in the "real world." I have never really had to compete with males. I was educated in a single-sexed high school as well. I can see why Hillary is an easy target, but that sure is said if she is getting all that crap JUST because she's a double X
I wonder if Hillary's femininity is the sole reason for the media's disparaging treatment of her. I like to think that she is perceived as a threat not because of her genetics but because of her strength of conviction (this is coming from someone who is not a fan of Clinton). We see her engaging in the campaign that are typically masculine, so I feel the media decries her only because they don't know quite what to make of her even this late in the game.
I completely believe that Hillary is being roughed up by the media. And, she has had to be more creative with her advertisements making sure to walk the line between masculinity and femininity. I think that the expectations that are set for her are unreasonable and the media is overly critical of her and her campaign.
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