Obama Supporters: Please Take Lead in Calling Out Sexism!

by catchaz, Sat May 31, 2008 at 06:51:06 PM EST

[editor's note, by catchaz](crossposted at DailyKos)

As a supporter of Barack Obama i would like to suggest it is WAY past time that Obama supporters took the lead in addressing the blatant sexism coming from both our fellow Obama supporters and the Main Stream Media. (i say "fellow" because i haven't seen much sexism from female Obama suporters.)

The sexism pouring forth from the MSM has been absolutely sickening. asswipes like Chris Matthews have led the charge, but i don't think any honest Obama supporter can deny the sexism that has permeated the coverage of the campaign. and of course, even worse is the sexism that comes from Obama supporters, some of whom just cannot think of insults that don't attack all women.

I actually hope that Clinton supporters will similarly take the lead in addressing racism, but we need a Clinton supporter to make that call.
But what anti-racist Clinton supporters and anti-sexist Obama supporters have in common is that they can all easily admit that racism and sexism have played a hideous and divisive role in this contest WITHOUT signing on to the idea that the reason Clinton lost was sexism, or that all criticism of Obama is racist.

personally i do believe that the MSM and SOME Obama supporters have been hideously sexist, but that sexism was not the reason for Clinton's loss. (i think most people who wouldn't vote for Clinton because she's a woman also wouldn't vote for Obama because he's Black.) Likewise, i personally do not believe that all anti-Obama criticism is based on racism.

I think there is a lot of middle ground for supporters of both candidates to admit the racism and sexism that has flourished in this campaign, without denying the other reasons besides sexism that Obama won or the other reasons besides racism that led people to support Clinton.

So to repeat, i ask my fellow and sister Obama supporterts to PLEASE call out any sexism we see from other Obama supporters, and to call out the misogynistic pigs in the MSM who are dancing on Hillary Clinton's political grave because they are sexist assholes.
Fighting sexism is a DEMOCRATIC issue, not just a Clinton issue. if we don't fight sexism we don't deserve to be called Democrats.

It Is Time to join together to fight the sexist media, and the woman-hating ReThugs.




Tags: sexism, Barack Obama, MSM, party unity, racism, Democratic issues (all tags)

Display:
Permalink :: 14 Comments :: Post a Comment


Re: Obama Supporters: Please Take Lead in Calling (2.00 / 1)

I will happily take the lead in calling out sexism.  I think it's useless, redundant, and holds no purpose in modern political discussion.

I think Olbermann's comments were stupid- but not sexist.  They could have easily been made about a man.

I think Pfleger's comments were stupid- but not sexist.  They could have easily been made about a white man.

Where there has been (and make no mistake, there has been) sexist comments from supporters, or in the media, then I wholeheartedly denounce it.  We don't need it.  We didn't need it.  It didn't help Obama, or Clinton, or Democrats, or unity.  I repudiate it and reject it.


John McCain wants to stay in Iraq.
by ihaveseenenough on Sat May 31, 2008 at 07:01:27 PM EST

Re: Obama Supporters: Please Take Lead in Calling (2.00 / 1)

The sexism horse left the barn months ago. The damage has been done not only to the candidates but to the Democratic Party.

The Democratic leadership chose to address racism and ignore sexism. That speaks volumes as to where the party stands.

This was not a Democratic issue when it counted most.


"No self-respecting woman should wish or work for the success of a party that ignores her." - Susan B. Anthony
by feelfree on Sat May 31, 2008 at 07:03:55 PM EST

more one-sided bullshit (none / 0)

the "leadership" has not adequtely addressed sexism or racism. i want to address both, you seem to only care about sexism.

but the same Dem leaders you say don't care about sexism are the ones fighting for women's rights in Congress. such as Nancy Pelosi. are you saying with a straight face that sexism is not on Pelosi's agenda? that's freaking ludicrous.


the time to rise has been engaged.
by catchaz on Sat May 31, 2008 at 07:07:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: more one-sided bullshit (none / 0)

Provide me a quote where Nancy Pelosi addressed sexism that is directly related to this Democratic primary?

It may be on her agenda but I am curious as to why she never uttered a single word about sexism during this primary when it was rampant. I find it difficult to believe that she cares about the issue at all.

There were plenty out there defending Obama on racism. The Clintons have been labeled racists. Clinton supporters have been labeled racists. White people were asked if race played a role in how they voted. Howard Dean went on FOX News and told them the reporting on Wright was racebaiting.


"No self-respecting woman should wish or work for the success of a party that ignores her." - Susan B. Anthony
by feelfree on Sat May 31, 2008 at 07:29:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

this says it all... (none / 0)

feelfree wrote:
"I find it difficult to believe that she cares about the issue at all."

that says it all. if you don't think Nancy Pelosi cares about the sexism, in general AND in this campaign you are truly thru the looking glass.


the time to rise has been engaged.
by catchaz on Sat May 31, 2008 at 07:35:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]

apology for calling post "bullshit" (none / 0)

sorry feelfree. i disagree with you very strongly but it was totally inappropriate for me to use that language in a post claiming to want unity.


the time to rise has been engaged.
by catchaz on Sat May 31, 2008 at 07:46:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Props, catchaz. n/t (2.00 / 1)


Even John McCain lusts after teh engels.
by sricki on Sat May 31, 2008 at 07:11:31 PM EST

I denounce and reject sexism (2.00 / 1)

I was raised by my single mother, and I am ashamed of how the media has performed at times.

They were sexist, sensationalistic and bad, and they should be ashamed.

Obama supporters- sexism is not what we're for is it?


If it goes to Denver, we all lose. Not Obama, not Clinton, WE ALL LOSE IN NOVEMBER.
by blue2008 on Sat May 31, 2008 at 07:33:12 PM EST

I will. (2.00 / 1)

I will call out sexism where I see it.

I won't call out sexism where other people see it.

One diary here said that calling for people not to riot today was sexist, because he was obviously calling women "hysterical". I'm not going to decry that.

The site that calls Hillary supporters "Hill Hags" is offensive and obviously derogatory, so I won't support it and will call out anyone who links to it. I won't even link to it because I don't want them getting more ad revenue.


by TCQuad on Sat May 31, 2008 at 07:34:36 PM EST

thanks, that seems fair (2.00 / 1)

i don't want people to claim all criticism of Clinton is sexist, or all criticism of Obama is racist.
but we all know there has been racism and sexism, and too often whether we recognize it or care about it has been related to which candidate we support. that has got to stop.
the time to rise has been engaged.
by catchaz on Sat May 31, 2008 at 07:38:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

in defense of Kos-iacs... (none / 0)

...i thought i'd report that within seconds of posting this on Kos i had 10 anti-sexist responses from Obama suporters. a very good start, Me-Thinks.


the time to rise has been engaged.
by catchaz on Sat May 31, 2008 at 07:44:03 PM EST

Re: Please...Calling Out Sexism! (2.00 / 1)

Rec'd!  Although I can't agree with all conclusions drawn, congrats to you for an honest diary that calls these ugly isms out!  

"personally i do believe that the MSM and SOME Obama supporters have been hideously sexist...Likewise, i personally do not believe that all anti-Obama criticism is based on racism...
I think there is a lot of middle ground for supporters of both candidates to admit the racism and sexism that has flourished in this campaign..."

I especially appreciate and agree with the above statements!  And despite being a Clinton supporter, I've been the first one to call racism out when seen...not only in this election, but across the board.  But I also recognize that not all criticisms of Obama are racism, although many would have us believe they are.  Thank you for recognizing that legitimate criticisms can exist that have nothing to do with racism.  Cheers on trying to address this issue so honestly!


HRC: "...not a vote to rush to war--it...puts awesome responsibility in the hands of our President, we say to him 'Use these powers wisely and as a last resort.'"
by ChargedFan on Sat May 31, 2008 at 07:57:07 PM EST

thanks (none / 0)

for your kind words.

but thanks especially for this:
"And despite being a Clinton supporter, I've been the first one to call racism out when seen..."


the time to rise has been engaged.
by catchaz on Sat May 31, 2008 at 08:00:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: thanks (2.00 / 1)

You're welcome--if all supporters of both candidates were half as honest, this election would be much less contentious.  Unfortunately, I do believe the majority are probably fair-minded and honest when considering what the MSM has been feeding us--however, it's so many of the less mature and thoughtful supporters that are speaking out loudly and representing poorly (and that does go for both candidates--although I believe it's a bit more true of much of the "youth" vote in Obama's camp that have gotten "involved" for the first time now)!

Regardless, thanks again for writing an honest and worthwhile diary!


HRC: "...not a vote to rush to war--it...puts awesome responsibility in the hands of our President, we say to him 'Use these powers wisely and as a last resort.'"
by ChargedFan on Sun Jun 01, 2008 at 11:01:54 AM EST
[ Parent ]


You are not logged in.

In order to post a comment, you must be logged in. If you have a member account, please log in to comment.

If not, you can make an account right here. It's quick and free.

Login
Username:

Password: