Sexism Rampant in Democratic Primary.

[goldcanyonaz]

Stanford Progressive, CA

by Gilbert Martinez

"I was at a recently attended a social gathering where a discussion of Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama was taking place. One guy, when probed about the historic nature of Hillary Clinton's candidacy, had a reaction that can be easily summarized as “big freakin' deal.” For some reason, after this complete dismissal of the historic nature of Hillary Clinton's candidacy, I kept on hearing Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg rapping about how "bitches ain't shit".

I never truly understood the offensiveness of that song until I started supporting Senator Clinton for president. Nor did I realize the pervasiveness of the sentiment. The media, and even the Democratic candidates themselves have continually denigrated the work that Hillary Clinton has done. In other words, she "ain't shit." And both the media and the Democratic candidates have played to the stereotype of confident, strong women being cold, calculating "bitches."

The reasons I support Hillary Clinton for president are a discussion for another day and can be found elsewhere, but there are a few important facts about Senator Clinton that should premise this discussion. Former CIA official Larry Johnson has described Senator Clinton as "scary smart." She is a person who always comes prepared for briefings and is knowledgeable about all the minutia of policy issues."

http://progressive.stanford.edu/cgi-bin/article.php?article_id=205

[libbygurl]

1. Oh, what a beautiful and truthful essay. Needs to be read by all!

Perhaps you could put the paragraphs in quotation marks, as my poor brain was confused about whether this was your post or a quotation from elsewhere? Excellent piece - thanks much for this!

[rodeodance]

2. also see blackvelvets post here in HRC group

[katty]

3. sexism in U.S. is rampant-and Hillary showed them all last night

with a smile on her face.

[Deep13]

4. Cold and calculating is another way of saying pragmatic and thoughtful.

She's not an ice queen. I've met her briefly twice and she just radiates warmth and enthusiasm. She can be dispassionate when necessary and I think that is important for the person with her finger on the nuclear button.

[libbygurl]

5. Ooh, I would love to meet her in person! She really does seem warm

...and personable. And as for working with folks across the aisle - no one has yet said a bad thing about her from the Repubs who've worked with her, and have all expressed their surprise at her warmth and charm! (Unlike some Dems, hey?)

You're so lucky to have met her in person!

[Deep13]

6. Here's the photo from '06.

Right to left, HRC, some doughy Midwesterner, future Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), his wife, author Connie Shultz.

This was a Sherrod Brown fundraiser in Cleveland.

[libbygurl]

11. Ah, thanks for that, Deep13! She looks lovely, as usual, with a big, warm smile.

LOL at the 'doughy Midwesterner' - cornfed, perhaps?

[Justpat]

7. That is a great essay.

Thanks so much for sharing that.


:hi:

[LadyVT]

8. Yes-- it's great! Thank you.

[vireo]

9. It makes me wonder how much the rap culture has fed this hate

Especially when you consider Obama's youth-based popularity.

[libbygurl]

10. That IS an interesting thought. You do have to wonder...

Are there any young black males (and rapper-listening non-black males) supporting HRC, or are they not - in significant numbers?

[Chovexani]

12. It's not rap culture that is the problem

It's mainstream rap culture that is the problem, as I often like to point out in these discussions. The rap that is foisted upon the public by the big labels is not representative of rap as a whole. The "bitches ain't shit" attitude is prevalent there but it's not nearly as bad in the underground/indie scene, which still keeps the old political and revolutionary spirit of the genre alive.

Personally I hate 99% of rap and rappers on principle, with the exception of like two people, largely because black feminists and womanists have seen our criticisms of this kind of thing blithely dismissed as "hating" and shit. I definitely feel it has an impact; if all you listen to is a constant stream of "bitches ain't shit" it is bound to impact your mindset, particularly if you're never exposed to anything else. The music itself isn't the problem so much as the fact that it is reinforcing BS that is already drilled into heads by society. libbygurl asked if young black men are supporting HRC in significant numbers, and even anecdotally I would say no. The only young black man I know who voted for HRC and supports her is my little cousin who is 19 (he's like a little brother to me), but that's because he comes from a family of strong black women who raised him right. ;) I also did my best to expose him to a wide variety of music at an early age, instead of the woman hating crap.