Stereotypes

Neat and tidy homeless Japanese
woman sneaks in unlocked home and
lives secretly for a year in man’s closet.

I hesitate to bring this up as it is such a sensitive subject, but I cannot help myself. I previously warned Obama that Hillary Clinton’s strategy lies in the unreasonableness she was/is portraying, rather than anything she was saying about Obama per se. I feel I should elaborate on this theme. I have heard it said by some that Clinton’s problem is that she is trying too hard to be like a man. You know, with her tough talk, backing the war, threatening obliteration, and general hawkishness. There is probably some truth to this accusation. But I think her real problem may be just the opposite. She is, or has become, I think unfortunately, the very personification of the stereotypical female in American culture. Do not misunderstand me, I am not claiming any accuracy for this stereotypical view of females, merely that it exists and has existed for a very long time. It is not particularly favorable. There are certain characteristics that have been long applied to women in our culture. For example, they can be inconsistent. Hillary agreed that the Michigan votes would be meaningless, now she insists they must be counted. Women are believed to change their minds a lot. Hillary accepted the notion that the delegates would determine who won the nomination. Since then she has changed her mind repeatedly: only swing states should count, only states with primaries rather than caucuses, only the largest states like California, Florida, etc. Her changes of mind have been widely commented upon by others. Women do not have the same capacity for reason as men. Is it not unreasonable for her to demand that all Michigan and Florida delegates be seated and all their votes counted? Most “reasonable” people think so. Women are not as logical as men, or employ faulty logic. Is it not completely illogical to argue that only states with primaries should be counted, but not states with caucuses? Women are believed to be quick to deceive. Hillary is now claiming to have the popular vote, but that is deceptive because she wants to count all the Michigan and Florida votes, and so on. Furthermore, he claim of sniper fire in Bosnia was clearly deceptive, as is the way she has presented her vast experience. Women are believed to be deficient in common sense. Common sense would surely suggest to her that she is pursuing what is now a lost cause, but she continues nonetheless. Is it not completely unreasonable for her to argue that as she has won the popular vote (which is not true) she is therefore the best candidate to take on John McCain. This is not only unreasonable it is also illogical. When women can’t win an argument they resort to tears (enough said). While women are believed to lack reason they are said to be passionate. How many times have we heard Hillary express her passion for her cause. Women are not believed to be very good with money. Hillary’s campaign is known to be in debt.

I am not claiming that women in general actually have these attributes, or even that Hillary Clinton necessarily possesses them. I am saying that these attributes have been and still are often described as characteristic of the behavior of women (generally, and as opposed to men). However, if there is any merit in the above account of her behavior during this campaign, it is difficult not to see some parallels. I do not believe these behaviors set much of a standard for future women candidates. While it is possible for a woman to be too “manly,” it may be it is equally possible to be too “womanly.” It is hard to deny that Hillary has acted in these ways, make of that as you will. And while there is obviously an element of racism in the contest between Hillary and Obama, so far no one has had the temerity to stereotype Obama as “lazy,” “shiftless,” and “no-account.” Don’t bet it won’t happen, even though at the moment he seems to be criticized for the opposite (too elite, another stereotype). Americans like to cling to their stereotypes no matter how foolish and inaccurate they may be.

LKBIQ:
"Whatever women do they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good. Luckily this is not difficult."
Charlotte Whitten