Goodbye to divide and conquer tactics

[pjthompson]

Let me just state for the record: I don't care who you're voting for. I honestly don't—Obama, McCain, Huckabee, Clinton. Okay, maybe if you were voting for Der Mitt, I might have some issues...just kidding. No matter who you support, if you're doing it from your heart and your mind, I'm all for that. We actually have some good options this year.

Having placed that disclaimer up front, I wanted to link to this essay, which you may or may not have seen already. An African-American friend originally sent this to me. He was horrified by what was happening. And yes, he too was called a race traitor by some people in the black community because he said he was voting for Clinton.

I don't always agree with the way Robin Morgan states her case. I think she plays into the hands of some of the same divisiveness she protests. But the bedrock of what she's saying is—unfortunately, and in my experience—true. Misogyny is apparently okay in this campaign. I personally have seen it over and over in the punditry and political satire, and it sickens me. The nudge-nudge-wink-wink quality to a lot of the digs being leveled at Hillary Clinton would never, ever wash if they were racially tinged and directed at Obama. The commentators would be fired a la Don Imus in a Dixie minute. Apparently, woman-baiting is so deeply entrenched in this country, so much taken for granted, that no one even thinks twice about it. If a woman dares protest, she is called an emasculating old school feminist.

I don't think a woman should be called an emasculating bitch for sticking up for herself any more than I think an African-American should be called a traitor to his race for deciding not to vote for Obama. Race and gender should not be a part of this campaign, nor should ageism. But the entrenched interests want to divide us, those of us who want a real change, along these lines by playing our fears and prejudices (sometimes subtlely, sometimes not), and by emphasizing generational splits. Classic divide and conquer tactics. The Powers That Be do not want to see change happening in this country. Whether Obama or Hillary eventually get the nomination (and praise be to either one!), the change is already in motion. But not if they successfully frame the election as "putting down the bitch."

This isn't just about the presidential campaign, this is about the board room. This is about keeping the glass ceiling in place. Because if a woman became president of the United States, how could the Old Boy Network possibly justify keeping women out of the board room? They couldn't. So they get their lackeys, a la Carl Bernstein and Chris Matthews and their ilk, to make this about "bitches" rather than about candidates.

All I'm asking for is a fair playing field. We won't stand for race being an issue in this campaign. Let's stand up and say that—really, truly, and beyond the "make nice" rhetoric—gender has no place in this campaign, either.

Comments

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

Yep--I've noticed that. But so have some commentators, and not just women, thank goodness.

[pjthompson]

Yes, thank goodness. At first it was just "the gals," it seems to me, but maybe there's hope if others are getting on board.

[windsong5.livejournal.com]

That's what's driven me crazy with this campaign. It's been about race, religion, and gender. None of which, in my opinion, really have much to do whether a person would be a good president or not. I'd rather the candidates focused on how they could help make America a better place, and how they would make a good president, rather then on why their rivals are all evil. Respect is important--especially in politics, but so many miss that. You don't have to agree with a person's beliefs to still show them respect. I like the American ideals of religious freedom and equality for all. It's disappointing how deep some prejudices run. You're right. If this became a big thing about race, many groups would stand up and be outraged. But gender...

[pjthompson]

It's just so frustrating. And in some sectors of the population, you can't even protest the unfairness without getting a pejorative label slapped on you.

[windsong5.livejournal.com]

The ironies of free speech. People using free speech to label others for using theirs.

[pjthompson]

Exactly!

[hollailama.livejournal.com]

Yep yep. I've noticed it, too. *sigh*

[pjthompson]

Makes me all grumpily.

[java-fiend.livejournal.com]

Race and gender should not be a part of this campaign, nor should ageism.

Absolutely. Very well written post. And I couldn't agree more. The race and gender baiting that's gone on throughout this campaign season has been sickening. I don't care if the candidate is a 3,000-year old, green-skinned hermaphrodite... I want to know if their policy stands will benefit this country and the people. Period. Anybody using race and gender as the basis of determining one's qualifications or worth shouldn't be voting as far as I'm concerned.

Well said.

[pjthompson]

Yep--but unfortunately people rarely use their heads to vote. The ol' "gut" is the determining factor.

[java-fiend.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately so. Either that or the candidate they'd "most like to have a beer with." Oy. Is it any wonder we're so screwed?

[kmkibble75.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, I think we have a looong way to go before these factors are no longer paid attention to. Basically, I don't think they'll fade until a few women have both lost and won, and the same with those of different races.

[pjthompson]

You're probably right. And I'm not asking for perfect behavior. I'm just asking for the same ability to call people on their sexist behavior without being labeled (by certain segments) an emasculating feminist or too "old school."