by Linda Thieman
No Place for Sexism on the Campaign Trail
I have to admit I was absolutely mortified to see the recent full-length feature article in the New York Times on Sarah Palin’s HAIR. I could only think that since Rupert Murdoch’s purchase of the Wall Street Journal, the predicted "race to the bottom" had begun. Which established media institution would be the first to risk its solid base by dumbing down content? The New York Times gets my vote.Why in the world do we need to read a full-length interview with the woman who does Palin’s hair when she’s at home in Alaska? The owner of the hot-pink Beehive salon described in enough detail to make even the most avid gossip squirm the various hair styles and colors that she had tried out to make Palin look more professional. I don’t recall seeing one article about the male candidates’ hair.
When the topic of hair comes up on the campaign trail, it is generally used to demean the candidate. If you take a look at the comments posted on the Sioux City Journal’s website last week in response to the mere mention of Palin’s pregnant teenaged daughter, you can see the Karl Rove Crack Elite Nasty Negative Naysayers in action, i.e., you dare mention Palin’s daughter and we’re going to demean Biden by putting him down for having hair plugs (not to mention attacks on his relatives posted to more than one article verbatim direct from the Rovian script).
In politics, if you wish to deliberately demean and belittle a candidate, you don’t go for the jugular, you go for the hair. However, I doubt that the New York Times meant to deliberately demean Sarah Palin with their in-depth interview of her stylist. Nevertheless, with intent or not, it had the same effect. And as strongly as I believe that Palin is completely unqualified to take over for McCain should he not live out his potential four-year term, I also believe that there is absolutely no place for sexism in the race for public office.
Take a look at how sexism and pseudo-sexism is playing out in the media. Jon Stewart of The Daily Show sums it up nicely.
A little something fun to read over your morning coffee
