In a GBCW diary just now, a commenter is calling Barack Obama a sexist because he supposedly used the word, "sweetie" when referring to a female. I can’t begin to tell you how pissed off I am right now, though I’ll try to contain this with real substance. I hope you’ll participate in this important discussion.
First a little background. In the early 80’s, I was a young, energetic female wanting to make it in the business. I chose a field that I was passionate about and it happened to be a male dominated industry. My personality is not that of a wall flower. I can take control (and often do!) of any situation. But, back then, I was young, new to the industry and as Jimmy Buffett would say, there were "fins to the left and fins to the right" Intimidation came fast and furious and it took me awhile to get my sea legs. One particular incident comes to mind. I was at a large industry trade show and at the end of a very long day several of us were gathered at the hotel bar. I had invited a potential client to join us. His company was a big "get" for mine and I was trying hard to secure his business. My boss, the owner, had a little too much to drink and said, "hey _______, why don’t you throw _________ your room key" The owner’s two nephews , closer to my age, were sitting directly across from me and jumped out of their seats to whisk me out of the bar. To this day, they would tell you they did that because they were sure I would have killed him. I waited until the next day and then proceeded to call him to the carpet in front of a room full of people; his elderly father and the "real" owner being one. His father later apologized profusely and promised that my job was secure and something like that would never happen again. I suppose I would have had the choice to file a formal complaint, but it never crossed my mind. I chose to take care of the situation myself.
REAL sexism exists. It is NOT referring to someone as sweetie, hon or babe. It is, according to Wikipedia:
The hatred and fear of women or feminity
According to Webster, it is:
- prejudice or discrimination based on sex; especially : discrimination against women
- behavior, conditions, or attitudes that foster stereotypes of social roles based on sex
According to Bluestateonian:
It is preventing women the right to vote.
It is intimidating a woman’s ability to earn an income.
It is overlooking a woman for a promotion in favor of a man.
It is giving sons opportunities that you don’t give your daughters.
It is preventing a woman from securing a bank loan or paying a higher rate for a car or a home.
It is telling a woman that they cannot choose how to handle a pregnancy.
It is not holding men accountable for child support.
It is not prosecuting a rappist to the fullest extent of the law.
Just as the "N" word is a term of suppression, the "C" word is a term of suppression. That’s very different. There is evil intent when those words are used. When people are going to refer to terms of endearment as sexist, we’re going to lose the battle. And to believe that Barack Obama is a sexist when he is married to such a powerful woman, in her own right, as Michelle Obama is beyond ridiculous. I suggest you find another line of attack, cuz this one just isn’t going to fly.
This from a woman who’s drinking coffee from a cup that says, "I Bitch, Therefore I AM!"