The Sexism in American Politics

[MrWendel]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/barbra-streisand/sexism-american-politics_b_9548016.html

Barbra Streisand
Singer; Actress; Director; Composer; Activist



Why is it that today even a woman as impressive as Hillary Clinton is judged not by her merits and extensive resume alone, but held to a pernicious double standard?

Twenty-two years ago, I had the honor of introducing Hillary Clinton at a Humanitarian Award Dinner. I said of her then and it holds true today:

“There is no one in this country who would deny the competence, intellect, stamina, warmth and courage of Hillary Rodham Clinton... But the criticism of Hillary Clinton has again demonstrated that the strong, competent woman is still a threatening figure in our culture. ... A man who graduated high in his class at Yale Law school and made partnership in a top law firm would be celebrated. But a woman who accomplishes this is treated with suspicion. Blanche Wiesen Cook, author of the acclaimed biography of Eleanor Roosevelt said of Hillary Clinton, ‘I don’t think there is a First Lady who has been treated as rudely and meanly except for Eleanor Roosevelt.’” Both of these women boldly risked the scorn of “those threatened by the image of a woman carrying the fight for social justice into the public arena.”

I find myself looking back at the fact that nothing much has changed for powerful women. It’s been 24 years since I wrote, “Men and women are clearly measured by a different yardstick... Language gives us an insight into the way women are viewed in a male-dominated society.”

(Rest in link)

[stonecutter357]

1. K&R!

[Her Sister]

2. Thank you!

Thanks to Barbra! too

[mcar]

3. Great article!