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[personal profile] iamashamed

Hypocrisy regarding misogyny and sexism on the left?

It exists, and I am so sick of it. What makes Bill Maher's sexist drivel any better than Bill O'reilly's? Why is it okay for Chris Matthews to be commenting on the looks of female pundits or politicans, instead of their work? Because they are on the left, we are supposed to 'accept it' or 'chill out', because they are on 'our side'? Hell no, misogyny is misogyny no matter what party you belong to, and I HATE seeing the same people on the left who complain about misogyny and sexism on the Republican side, accept and play down misogyny when it comes to the left. 

And yes, the right does this as well, obviously. There are Republicans who fight sexism against Sarah Palin, and then turn around and bash Hillary Clinton using misogynist slurs. These people are hypocrits, I am not defending that.

But this is not about the Republican party, because that is not what I'm talking about here. When I see Republicans say this stuff, I obviously get angry and hurt, like I should, but not as hurt and angry as when I see a supposed 'liberal person', who calls out Republican's sexism on regular basis, turn around and defend misogyny on the left, because the person who said it 'didn't mean it like that' or because they 'agree with other points the person makes'. What makes you different than a republican person defending misogyny on the right?

A Democrat, fighting sexism on the right, who then starts to make remarks regarding Sarah Palin's looks and body, and calls her for misogynist slurs, is no better than the person they were calling out before that.

The Daily Show, which I love and adore, has made some borderline sexist comments in the past, and I call them out whenever I can. It is possible to be a fan and still call out these things, and as long as Jon stewart don't start to regularly making outright misogynist remarks, I can deal with it. 

But what I have never heard Jon Stewart say or joke about, is stuff like this, which Bill Maher has uttered/joked about, more than once:

1. In regards of Tila Tequila, he started victim- blaming while using misogynist slurs: http://www.alternet.org/blogs/reproductivejustice/142662/newsflash%3A_bill_maher_is_sexist_and_annoying/.

 2. Him making sweeping generalizations about women in politics and in general: http://www.talkleft.com/story/2008/3/2/83236/46536.

3. And finally, here he is, making these remarks regarding breastfeeding: http://guerillawomentn.blogspot.com/2007/09/bill-maher-is-misogynistic-anti.html.

How is that okay? Really? I don't care if Bill Maher has made other great points in regards of other things, at the end of the day he is still a misogynist and I don't care about what party he belongs to. When I see people, that I know, defend this, I get angry and frustrated.

"But women make sweeping generalizations regarding men as well, so it's not sexist, it's just something that people do."

Yes, and that isn't okay either. But do we have a history of oppressing men? Do we have the male privilege in regards of work and social status? Check out this blog and come back to me: http://www.amptoons.com/blog/the-male-privilege-checklist/.

This just really bothers me, and it isn't okay. Am I alone in this? I am sick and tired or seeing progressive people defending statements like these, because it's the left making them.


Date: 2010-05-25 06:57 pm (UTC)
sarcasticsra: A picture of a rat snuggling a teeny teddy bear. (Default)
From: [personal profile] sarcasticsra
You're definitely not alone. Bill Maher being a sexist asshole is nothing new.

One of the things that annoyed me most about the campaign was that I kept hearing people ask "Who will take care of her children if she's elected?" re: Sarah Palin. I just kind of stared. I guess her husband is somehow incapable of caring for children. How bizarre.

(I'll be honest, though: the Republicans suddenly giving a fuck about sexism the second Sarah Palin showed up pissed me off way more than liberal sexism, even though that pisses me off too. It's just the utter gall I find teeth-gnashingly appalling. What's that, you want to be able to comment about sexism? STOP PERPETUATING IT FIRST, ASSHOLES.)

Date: 2010-05-25 07:12 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] iamashamed.livejournal.com
Oh yeah, I freaking hate that as well.

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