While the so-called “War On Women” has been hashtagged, memed, and beaten to death, the battle for equality rages on—apparently with high-pitched fervor.
Senator Hillary Clinton’s victory lap on Tuesday night, was—let’s just say— a completely new take on the political meaning of “dog whistle.” In fact, dogs cowered from her shrieking tone. I know my Yorkie would have preferred the former secretary of state’s actual imitation-dog barking.
But shame on me! Saying such things is unforgivably sexist, and doubly so coming from a fellow female. Why? Because Clinton surrogates and Cosmopolitan magazine deem it so.
Seriously though, no one knows exactly why saying Hillary shouts is inherently sexist. Labeling something as sexist obviously implies there is a double standard for women or for men.
But Elizabeth Warren doesn’t howl, nor is she criticized for it. Carly Fiorina is not shrill. Ditto for Condi Rice and Madeleine Albright. Granted, Sarah Palin’s cadence can be a little off-putting after sitting through an entire speech. But it pales in comparison to Clinton’s fake Southern drawl, which she whips out at the opportune moment.
Tuesday night’s vociferous delivery wasn’t a one-off event either. Journalists have been commenting on Clinton’s speaking style for quite some time. As Western Journalism pointed out, Bob Woodward made mention of it last month on MSNBC’s Morning Joe:
Did Bob Woodward really say that? Oh my goodness. Does this mean that the famed J-school idol — the grand poo-bah of journalism—is a sexist, chauvinistic pig? Well, some liberals think so.
Later on in the same segment, Howard Dean attempted to defend Hillary on the basis of unfair sexist attacks, which is absolutely hilarious and ironic. If you recall, the infamous Dean Scream ended his 2004 presidential bid in about 30 seconds.
But these accusations of sexism open up a real Pandora’s box of questions.
Howard Dean’s presidential hopes came crashing down with his scream. Hillary’s shouting has not put a damper on her presidential aspirations. Is this sexist?
President George W. Bush was made fun of for his grammatical errors, as it fell in line with the stereotype portrayed by the media and Hollywood that men are helpless idiots in need of female direction. Was that sexist?
Bill Clinton has quite a reputation with the opposite sex. Is his treatment of women sexist? Is Hillary’s dodging of questions about Bill’s paramours sexist?
Some Hillary supporters have said outright that women need to vote their gender. Is that sexist?
Madeleine Albright repeated her famous line last month when campaigning for Hillary, “There’s a special place in hell for women who don’t help each other!” Is that sexist?
Most pundits are opining on Hillary’s style and volume. They’re not saying she’s an angry, white woman. That particular distinction is reserved for men only. Particularly Trump supporters. Is the “angry, white male” moniker sexist?
Don’t forget, reporters were given a list of banned words by unofficial Hillary “Super Volunteers” about a year ago that they deemed sexist: “polarizing, calculating, disingenuous, insincere, ambitious, inevitable, entitled, over confident, secretive” and “will do anything to win,” “represents the past,” and “out of touch.”
Reporters were warned the volunteers would be “watching, reading, listening and protesting coded sexism.” These aren’t the only words that have been taken off the table over the past year. Was this action to protect Hillary sexist in nature?
What would be the reaction if reporters were told these words were off limits in describing a man running for president? Would that be sexist?
Well, if you are as confused as I am by this point, perhaps some of the transgender folks interviewed by Charlotte Allen can help us out. Please tell me that, by definition, can’t be sexist.
