Jessica Reaves at the Chicago Tribune speaks up about the media's fear and loathing (misogyny) of Hillary Rodham Clinton:
In other words, we resorted to every cheap trick in the book. And virtually no one called us on it. Gloria Steinem wrote a blistering Op-Ed on the subject for The New York Times. And several women's groups demanded apologies from Matthews for his numerous idiotic comments. But for the most part, the onslaught has gone unchecked, because women have remained largely silent. . .
Let's go back to those comments -- about Clinton's hair, voice, wardrobe -- and imagine if the tone had been racist rather than sexist, and they had been directed at Obama. I have enough faith in this country to believe that the outcry would have been loud and swift.
Any outcry from Clinton, or on her behalf, regarding the persistently sexist tone of so-called political commentary, has been brushed aside, dismissed as political correctness run amok, or as the whining of feminists (the second-dirtiest word in American politics, just behind "liberal"). . .
Unless John Edwards pulls out an upset of epic proportions, Democrats will put forward a historic candidate in November. And it may be that Clinton will be that candidate, having successfully quieted the pervasive, insidious sexism we have allowed to overwhelm our cultural vocabulary. But it seems more likely that the country will celebrate another, equally inspiring milestone, while conceding a point to Gloria Steinem and Shirley Chisholm: In politics, gender remains a more profound obstacle than race.
The Media And The 2008 Election: The Perfect Storm Of Clinton Hate
Media Bias Against Clintons Borders on Mental Illness
Obama's Sad Victory
The Sexist Media Lynching of Hillary Clinton
Hillary Clinton Gender Barack Obama News Democratic Primary Politics Misogyny Media Bias MSNBC CNN Hillary Haters
