If you didn't see the opening skit from this past Saturday night's SNL, it's a must-view. Tina Fey returned to play a dead-on Sarah Palin as the Governor and Sen. Hillary Clinton "addressed the nation" about a number of issues.
Was it hysterical? Absolutely. Was it intended as such? Definitely.
But it's important to note that one of the purposes of this introduction was to draw attention to something that has permeated our elections season: sexism. Whether you're a staunch Democrat or a member of Hockey Mom's for Sarah Palin (I can only assume that organization exists), you must be aware of bias in the media.
There are some analysts who will attack Palin simply because she is a woman, just as there were those who detracted from Sen. Clinton's bid for the Democratic nomination. But it's important to note that whether you like Palin or not should not come down to her being a woman. If you don't like Sarah Palin, make it because you disagree with what she stands for. But also be aware that some of the so-called experts continue to spew sexism.
Take, for example, what Barack Obama said recently about John McCain's idealistic approach to reforming Washington. Obama said it was like putting "lipstick on a pig." Many twisted that statement to mean that Obama was inferring Palin was a pig with lipstick. Today, McCain said that just isn't the case.
But that proves that sexist inclinations are present in the media. So now I ask you: Put your party ties aside, and answer the next couple of poll questions truthfully about sexism in the election.
4 comments:
Love how you incorporate all of these elements, Grant! Your first poll presumes that sexism exists in media... there should be a 3rd choice for people who believe sexism doesn't exist, perhaps even a 3rd for people who think it's not as prevalent as your poll presumes. Polls are all about giving all sides a voice on an issue.
Again, your 2nd poll should give 2 extra options.. "both" and "none" ...adding a little elaboration on each of those variations.
Female politicians are typically cast in the Palin, Clinton roles: beautiful and wrong and unattractive and wrong, respectively. Both women are equally harangued for not only their political stances, but also their looks. However, I feel that there has been little criticism/ praise of the physical appearances of the men in the election.
Grant —
I definitely agree. I saw the Sarah Palin skit and thought Tina Fey was dead on. As a Clinton supporter during the primary, I cringed every time I saw Chris Matthews open his sexist mouth.
There are tons of videos dedicated to MSNBC's sexist coverage of Sen. Clinton on YouTube.
Post a Comment