Chilling Acceptance of Gender Bias (by Edel Mee)
For the first time in American history, this year’s race for Presidential nomination sees a woman – Hillary Clinton- and a man of colour – Barack Obama – in contention. Both candidates are high profile, strong characters, and as such have been the subject of much discussion, debate and challenge. However the treatment they have received from both the media and a surprising amount of people has been very different.
· Obama’s main political agenda is centred upon the premise that it is time for a change in America, time for the working people of America to be looked after and he will bring that change.
· Clinton’s campaign similarly is centred around the need for change and more of a focus on providing services and employment at home.
So, one would expect that both candidates, both making history, both speaking for change and “the ordinary man on the street”, would be treated similarly. The reality though is that Obama has been lauded for his humble upbringing, his honesty and his avoidance of mudslinging for political gain. But Clinton- much is being made of her husband, Bill, and there are constant references to his leadership. Sadly it looks like we are seeing an exercise in modern day sexism.
For example; compare the reactions to the two following real incidents:
1. Obama sees a doctor for a hoarse throat. He does not have an infection, is advised to rest his voice.
· Media Reaction: the scenario is mentioned, followed immediately by the phrase “just a mere ten hours later, at an am rally, Obama addressed the crowd….” Thereby making much of the fact that Obama continues against all personal problems.
· Other candidates reactions: none
2. Clinton answers the question: “Personally speaking; how do you keep upbeat and continue to look so wonderful?” She answers with emotion in her voice.
· Media Reaction: Headlines states: “Clinton Gets Emotional On the Campaign Trail.” A video is taken. The tone of the article is then centred around her emotional response.
· Other candidates’ reactions: there is a follow up article outlining each candidate’s reaction to Clinton’s emotionalism. They immediately react by questioning whether Clinton has the mental strength to deal with a Presidency.
In other debates, all of the candidates invoke emotion to sway voters and at times they raise their voices. Of all of the candidates Clinton alone stands accused of “having a meltdown”. Most disturbingly is the number of websites, including a Facebook website, dedicated to getting Hillary Clinton out of politics and “back to the kitchen” where supposedly she, and all woman-kind belong. With titles such as “Hillary Clinton: Stop Running for President and Make me a Sandwich” – frighteningly this site has nearly 40, 000 members – they attack her right to run in a political race because she is a woman, not because they disagree with her politics. Unfortunately it is not a joke site and feature’s charming (cue sarcasm) comments such as this: “LOL WHAT A JOKE! CRYING LIKE A LITTLE BABY THE OTHER DAY. ALL CLAPP OBAMA 08. DON’T GET ME WRONG I LOVE WOMEN BUT NOT TO RUN OUR COUNTRY!”So, is there an outcry over this obviously misogynistic tirade? No. Imagine if the media or any group really started a “Barack Obama: Stop Running for President and Shine my Shoes” blog. There would be a furore and possibly criminal prosecutions.Instead we are seeing an alarming acceptance of double standards, an acceptance and promotion of gender bias in the twenty-first Century.
Sources:
Comment left on Patrick Gillespie’s blog: The 2008 American Presidential Election
Comment left on Keegan’s blog: The Relevance of Mathematics Today
Comment left on Anna Marie Dougan’s blog: Programming as the New Literacy
Comment left on Colm Jordan’s blog: Mandatory Life Sentences, the Constitution and the European Convention of Human Rights
Comment left on Rowntree’s blog: Language and Thinking
The reaction of the media and the other candidates running for president is clearly sexist in my view.I feel that if a male candidate became emotional when answering such a question, It would be viewed as positive that he can express his emotional side.i.e.He has an emotional side so is therefore kind and caring.But a woman is said to be too emotionally unstable to run a country?This does not seem to me, to be a fair assumption.A website such as the one mentioned is completely out of order.Those type of sexist comments should not be allowed considering that they could influence voters on such a serious subject.I also agree there would be a national outcry if it was racist comments being made,so why should sexist ones be allowed?
Ceola Flannery
It is hard to believe and difficult to accept that after all the fighting and campaigning for womens rights, women are still seen as the inferior sex. Society seems to be set in its ways, and while conditions for women have improved considerably, we still have a long way to go. I cannot understand why no – one is protesting against sexist websites. If we say nothing and let it happen, then of course it is going to continue. Racism is now seen as socially unacceptable, hopefully one day people will see sexism in the same way.
Of course it should factor into the equation that Hilary Clinton is a woman, but only in my opinion that it matters because if she were to win she would be the first female president of the USA.
It is also important to note that Obama and his wife has also faced the issue of racial stereo typing and indirect racial slurs from the likes of Bill O’Reilly. The upside(if it can be seen as that) of this presidential race is that it has gotten people taking and involved and opened people up to politics and political debate who may have not had an interest before.
It is for reasons like this that I believe that if Clinton was elected, it would be more revolutionary, than a Black President. “Change” is the most often quoted buzzword in this election. A female commander in chief would have a much more significant effect in the world, than the first Black President. Although an Obama victory would be an amazing sign of the progression of American politics, gender bias seems to be more apparent in this election.
All politicians try to show their sensitive side, this helps them to win votes. I think it was very unfair that the media made such a big deal about Hilary being a bit emotional. It is a shame that still in today’s world people think that women aren’t capable of doing the same things as males. I was quite shocked to hear that such websites existed, I had thought that this type of discrimination was a thing of the past.
Áine Ní Dhonnacha
To be honest I have not been following to the American presidential election and therefore was quiet shocked to hear of the media’s response to the two candidates Clinton and Obama. I would have expected the American public to have embraced a woman as their president and seen it as a way of bringing America into the 21st century, especially with someone like Hilary Clinton who has so much experience in the White House.
To be quite honest reading “Hillary Clinton: Stop Running for President and Make me a Sandwich” made me angry. I have always known America as being the land of opportunity and freedom. The world looks to American for guidance and inspiration. Therefore the future doesn’t look too bright for the female population.
When it comes to politics and jobs that really matter today, discrimination is still shown towards women. I hope one day this will change and we can once and for all stop living in the stone age.
Being a man I don’t in any way agree to sexism or racism. I think each individual should be rated on their succeses and acheivments in life and I am very confident that almost all men agree. To be honest I believed that Obama would recieve problems like Clinton is recieving like the one in this blog because he is different too. For hillary to be told to go back to the kitchen or make me a sandwich in this day and age it like telling Obama to pick cotton and no one would stand for that. The sooner people look at thier plans for office and not if they are man, woman, black, white and take them as they really are the better. Also one last point, in the eyes of 99% of people I am sure their is no inferior sex.
Darragh Callanan
I’m not a follower in politics in any way, shape or form. But this presidential race has me interested in the result. When I first heard the two main candidates were Clinton and Obama, I was very surprised, but predicted that a white male would join the race. Not surprisingly, John McCain joined the race is now looking more likely to win than Clinton, according to Bookmakers. I just hope the reasons he is gaining more interest are the right reasons. It seems as some Americans are wary of having someone who isn’t a white male as president. In my opinion (and not knowing what any of the three main candidates have to offer), I hope either Clinton or Obama come out on top, for the reason that in future elections, most people will be willing to vote for the person who is right for the job, not based on their sex or colour.
Daniel Fripp
The race for the Democratic Party Presidential nomination is very interesting with a woman and a man of colour running. There are indeed incidents and strange reactions in the media but this is common place and if either candidate can not handle this then they should not consider running for President. I would like to see either Mrs. Clinton or Mr. Obama as President of the United States. At this stage, due to recent developments Mr. Obama is favourite.
Colm Jordan
It is a shame that the media seem to be more focused on the race,sex and image of the candidates than their actual policies.
I think both Obama and Clinton would be worthy US presidents and it is good to know they favour a faster scaling down of operations in Iraq than McCain.
Perhaps Clinton was emotional at being asked a question based on how she looked (“continue to look so wonderful?” ) rather than her policies?! The power and bias of the media in the US, UK and Ireland (all that I know about) is frightening and incredibly shocking.