Letters to the Editor
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It's a Language Thing
I keep seeing posts that appear to be confused as to why so many Hillary supporters are reluctant to get behind Obama due to the sexism they get from some of his supporters. My husband and I (and a few of my male friends) have gone around about this, and we've reached a certain consensus, so let me give it a shot here.
Racial language in the U.S. is often pretty easily recognized. Anybody calling Obama a "boy" or a n*ger" is pretty damn sure to get their head bit off, as well they should. There are other, more subtle, forms of racist language, but they're hard to tease out and it'll take too much time.
Then there is homophobic language. The harsher terms, f*ggot, dike, etc., are not generally used in polite company, but are considered acceptable in a lot of circles. A lot of the lesser terms (gay, pansy, queer, etc.) or the feminization of males or the masculization of females, get a total pass in our culture, which is hugely disappointing.
Then we get to terms used on women. C*nt is obviously offensive to most people, although it still gets used with frequency. Bitch and ball-buster are sexist, but a lot of men don't seem to see it, although they aren't the ones the terms are being used against. Ask yourself this, how often do you call men bitches or ball busters? They are terms that are reserved for women and they are not positive. It isn't enough to call a woman an asshole, or a jerk, nope. What's interesting is how this form of sexist language, like some of the more subtle forms of racist language, are culturally acceptable.
So, while I understand the frustration of a lot of posters over the sexist language coming out of the Obama camp, I don't think you can actually lay this at the feet of Obama. From what I can tell, watching this all unfold, we have a lot of weird language standards in the U.S. Openly racist or vulgar sexist terms are considered wrong. Homophobic language is apparently okay and sexist language and certain forms of racism are "rude", but pretty much okay in our society.
That sucks. It's a problem. But I think it is a cultural problem, not an Obama specific problem.