Women, stop being so gracious and start kicking butt

Boy, this past week or two has been one long sexist nightmare for women.  It continues to stun me, the misogyny and sexist behavior in this country, but what is really appalling are the old white men in Congress who are so sexist they probably don’t know it, which is another good reason for them to retire and get out of our faces.

What also is striking to me is the complete graciousness of the women who are being treated like complete scum by these guys.  I mean, come on ladies, forget that you were raised to be “sugar and spice and everything nice” and start smacking these guys down.

The first example is the complete disrespect of Patrick Leahy, Senator from Vermont, for Kirsten Gillebrand, Senator from New York, during the Sotomayer hearings.  How absolutely disgusting of him to interrupt her and make both disparaging comments and facial expressions as she made her statement of support for Sotomayer.

Forget the fact that she might have gone over her allotted five minutes, do you really think he would have interrupted her so rudely and disrespectfully if she was an old white man like himself?  I hardly think so. What’s wrong you old fart, isn’t she a member of your “gentleman’s club”, which is a nice way of saying a bunch of old, corrupt white men who think they are Lords of the country.

But, striking, also, is how Gillibrand demurely smiled and played good little girl, shortening her talk so graciously for that arrogant, rude sexist pig.

For those of you who may not have seen this little episode of how the sexist white man treats a female colleague, I’ve posted the video below.

 

The second example is that of old white man Lindsay Graham, Senator from South Carolina, telling Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayer that she needs to watch her temperament. My goodness, I guess Sotomayer forgot that women are the peacemakers, the smilers, and the gracious half of the species; how dare she have a temperament. That’s for men only.

Of course Sotomayer didn’t have much choice but to sit there graciously and accept this blatant sexism, at least not if she wanted to get on the court.  But here we go again with some old white male fart thinking he can talk to an accomplished, professional woman like she was a little girl and he was her daddy.

Below is the video of another white male sexist pig demeaning a female Supreme Court nominee.

If you want to know what I mean about kicking butt, then all you have to do is watch the video below of Black Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Harry Alford, kicking Senator Barbara Boxer’s butt over what he alleges are racist comments.

The confrontation took place while Alford was testifying before the Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee.  Ok, it does leave the question in my mind about whether Alford would be this vehement and outraged if the Senator in question was a man and not a white woman and, really, the racist slur is getting a bit old, but ignore that for the moment because I want you to observe this situation from a different perspective. 

The reason I want you to watch this drama is because here you see someone not taking what he sees as demeaning and insulting behavior graciously.  No, he is not gracious. No, he is not courteous and smiling.  This man is kicking butt. 

Ladies, we must start doing this if we ever want to make progress.  Forget your upbringing; forget being so nice, so sweet, so gracious…what has that ever accomplished?

And the kicker to all of this is, no matter who you think is right or wrong in this particular situation, Senator Boxer is being so courteous, so gracious, and so darn polite to this man, who is totally insulting and degrading her.  This is a classic scene displaying approved male behavior and approved female behavior and it stinks.

All I can say is our women leaders need to take a clue from this man’s behavior and start kicking butt.

 

Comments

[SYD]

The difference is that, when Alford whines we all applaud him. Men are supposed to stand up for themselves.

If any of these women said what this prick is saying... we'd label them whining bitches. and tear them down all the more.

[Puma-Sf]

It's absolutely infuriating. At least Gillibrand didn't give in. She made sure she got that last word and I am really proud of her for fighting back. Why doesn't that idiot Leahy clear his throat. Not only is he disgusting but he sounds disgusting as well.

You're right. It's time to start kicking some butt.

[JB in VA]

I think Sarah Palin is a good role model here. She's been kicking butt ever since she joined the PTA -- but she always does it with a smile, usually with a good dose of humor, and (when not shackled by clueless male campaign staffers) invariably wins.

I don't see Alford as anyone to emulate. Being rude, bombastic, egotistical, ill-informed, and irrational is hardly an example to follow.

[Deborah]

I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I

thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say

except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting

this blog very often.

Deborah

http://maternitymotherhood.net

[SYD]

I tend to agree with JB in VA. Alford is nobody to emulate. He is rude, bombastic and ill informed.

But... wait... maybe rude, bombastic, and ill-informed is what the voters want nowadays?? They sure seem to like it in the White House. Twelve years running....

[Puma for Life]

Women may see him has rude, bombastic, and ill informed, but I bet you 10 to 1 that other men don't see it that way. He is speaking up for himself, defending his honor, and telling it like it is. This is my point; women are trained to think if you act this way you are being an arrogant bitch, but it is ok for men to act this way; they're allowed to "act out."