Catherine II, also known as Catherine the Great reigned as Empress of Russia from 9 July 1762 until her death (17 November 1796). Under her direct auspices the Russian Empire expanded, improved its administration, and continued to modernize along Western European lines. Catherine's rule re-vitalized Russia, which grew stronger than ever and became recognized as one of the great powers of Europe. She had successes in foreign policy and oversaw sometimes brutal reprisals in the wake of rebellion (most notably Pugachev's Rebellion). She was a strong feminine leader, who took lovers in the same vein as most men of her class did.
She's most well known for the (entirely false) legend of having died while attempting intercourse with a horse. History is chocked full of strong female leaders remembered only for their genitalia.
It's with this in mind that I wasn't at all shocked today to wake up to another anti-female candidate article on aol news. Anyone who payed attention to the 2008 election cycle can remember the onslaught of misogynist criticisms aimed at both Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin during their bids for the presidency.
Apparently now those "mama grizzlies" and popular conservative female candidates who've been blowing up the election cycle this year are really just overgrown high school bullies. The pretty, dumb, malicious girl at the head of the class who doesn't bother to learn your name but will claw your eyes out with her perfectly groomed nails if you even look at her boyfriend the wrong way. They care too much about having perfectly coifed hair and an attractive skirt/suit jacket combo to actually understand policy.
On the other end of the spectrum, of course we have Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton paraded as soulless witches who may or may not feed on the spirits of young children to stay alive.
Embracing any aspect of your femininity is proof positive that you are a shallow silly girl playing dress up. Refusing to acknowledge it makes you the villain in Grimm's fairytales. In 2010. I can't be the only one who thinks that is insane? Nobody cares whether male candidates part their hair to the left or right, or how much they spent on that Brooks Brothers suit. We focus on their ideas and legislative policy choices. Is it so absurd to want the same courtesy for female candidates.
I keep waiting for the novelty of having ovaries while running for office to wear off, but I suppose I shouldn't hold my breathe.
-Lady in Red
Spot on. Dr. Jocelyn Evans (UWF professor) made similar points in a panel presentation last year at Berry College. She believed that the only woman to "win" in the public's eyes during the 2008 election season was Michelle Obama because she was smart, pretty, stylish, accomplished, but most importantly, not on the ballot and thus not a threat per se (of course plenty of Republicans will go on about how she hates America, etc.).
ReplyDeleteThe double standard for women is pretty wretched, whether it's those ghastly Hillary Clinton nutcrackers they were selling a few years back at CPAC or the knee-jerk reaction to label any Republican woman as a cheap floozy. Part of it of course does have to do with the traditionally male-dominated "professional" world, but I think some women are also at fault. There are plenty of women who never grow out of being "mean girls" and who will gladly portray their ideological opponents as brainless bimbos/hags/whores/etc. because they know it works and they don't care that their behavior hurts women as a whole. C'est triste.
I think we women need to show that this is unacceptable politicking and behavior. Look at the case of Krystal Ball (yes, her parents gave her this name); she is a Congressional candidate (Dem) in Virginia and photos of her in a short skirt and Santa hat have gone viral and outrage has ensued. Please, she's with her husband in the photos and it looks like a party. (I saw her interview on ABC News and they showed some of the photos.) Here's the link: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/krystal-balls-image-problem-racy-photos-virginia-congressional/story?id=11835899
ReplyDeleteWhy this moral outrage re her benign photos yet people thought it was "fun" and "hot" that now U.S. Senator Brown posed NUDE in Cosmopolitan? Where is the parity?
It's sad that there are "mean girls" who perpetuate the shabby treatment of women. Where is solidarity? Or common decency?
Growing up, I never understood how other countries "got it" and had women in powerful leadership positions, e.g., Indira Gandhi and Margaret Thatcher.
This is another article I found addressing this issue. Again there is this odd undefinable standard that no woman could possible, or should possibly, live up to.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/10/18/the-man-up-put-down-lets-retire-this-retread/
-LiR