Letters to the Editor
Valkyrie607
Published Letters: 144 Editor's Choice: 3
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Define Racism and Sexism, Please.
[Read the article: Ferraro wants study on sexism, racism in campaign]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Here I have to echo a call made by Weeping for Brunnhilde and others for a piece on Salon really examining WHAT exactly defines racism, and, while we're at it, sexism.
We need to have a platform off which we can launch serious discussion of the differences between bigotry, prejudice, and the various "isms."
This is my humble contribution to a very complex and difficult subject. I will talk mostly about racism, but please don't take that to mean I am not concerned about sexism.
Racism, contrary to what some folks think, doesn't require a conscious animosity towards people of color. It does require a blindness towards the struggles imposed on blacks and other minorities because of the color of their skin. That same blindness towards women's struggles on account of their gender is what constitutes sexism. Also, ignorance and/or denial of the historical biases against the empowerment of blacks and women is a necessary ingredient.
Ferraro exhibited ignorance and white privilege when she stated that Obama only got where he was because he was a black man--in other words, he received special privileges because he was a black, not a white man. That statement was ridiculous and laughable; the fact that she could make it shows that she is indeed racist--not in the sense of wanting to put on white robes and kill and maim innocent black people, but in the sense of being completely unaware of the idea of white privilege, and ignorant of the structural obstacles to achievement by African Americans that still persist in this country.
AKA Smith and others have been accused of racism, and protested violently.
But guess what? Being accused of racism is not the end of the world. In fact, it is the beginning of a new world when someone who is accused of being racist stops and considers the possibility: what if I am racist? What if?
Have you (if you are white) ever sat down with a black person and had them ask you, "Do you ever feel guilty about what your people have done? Do you feel you bear any personal responsibility for racism? What do you try to do about it?" and answered honestly? It's an edifying experience, I recommend it.
Like a previous poster (Celia in SF? I don't recall), I feel myself to be racist and sexist sometimes. She described herself as a "recovering white folks hater," while I'm more of a formerly-afraid-of-black-people liberal and recovering man-hater. I'm working on being less so. I also believe that most everyone is racist and sexist to varying degrees. I also don't believe these are character failings, only a natural result of growing up in America.
Once this is pointed out to you, though, it does have the potential to become a character flaw: if you choose to ignore the implications and continue on as before.
As far as Ferraro's complaint about sexism against Hillary goes, I agree with what many others have said: of course sexist strategies were used against Clinton. I don't think the bulk of these came from the Obama campaign, but from the media. I don't think that sexism was the determining factor in her defeat. If it was, it rather undermines her "I am the most electable candidate" argument, don't you think?
I am a feminist, and I voted for Obama, and I would vote for Clinton, if she were the candidate, because I care about women's rights. I honestly can't understand why anyone would vote for McCain to spite Obama for Clinton's loss. It's the silliest thing I've ever heard of.
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Whatev.
[Read the article: U still up?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Getcher booty call however you want it.
Don't stress about it. Who cares? Only you.
Just wear a condom, for fuck's sake!
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I Used to Fear Math
[Read the article: The education gender gap]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]This year I got a B+ in calculus. Not a bad showing for someone whose worst subject was math in high school.
My mental attitude towards math was what changed, not my intelligence or innate aptitude.
So I'm inclined to say the results of this study make sense to me.
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Hell yeah!
[Read the article: Newest McCain official: President has "near dictatorial powers"]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I would boo my lungs out for that m.f.
He is responsible, directly or indirectly, for the deaths of hundreds of thousands.
I don't really get this whole "respect the office of the president" business.
Respect is earned. Bush never earned it. Any respect that might have accrued to him simply by holding office, he lost a long time ago by assaulting the constitution, which he was sworn to uphold and protect.
Some booing is the absolute LEAST we can do. A poor substitute for Congressional hearings and impeachment, if you ask me.