…posing for Maxim.

Olivia Munn talks about paving the way for young girls “like her 2 year old niece” in her rant regarding the backlash on her Maxim spread.

This is old.

The slut shaming is uncalled for, divide and conquer at its best. At the same time, don’t expect me to be glowing with happiness that yet another woman is buying this silly idea that doing a photo spread for the boys is empowered. Bullshit. Come back and talk to me when you’re doing something that doesn’t fit into the everyday paradigm of WOMAN=SEX. Not sure what in the hell is supposed to make me grateful about seeing this continuously upheld by women who think they’re doing something revolutionary, and HEY even better, let’s pass this fucked up structure onto our daughters without a shred of critical thought!

There’s this idea going around that being comfortable with one’s own sexuality, or working towards it, logically results in putting oneself out there as an oil-slicked commodity. It saddens me that in this day and age that’s the idea that women are buying into, and that they’ve been deluded enough to think that it somehow makes a difference. This is everyday misogyny, feminism hijacked, buy more shit/eat less/workout more/tweak, nip, tuck to the nines so you can properly fit into the role of woman.

And don’t paint me as someone who “just needs a good fuck” because I resent you for being just another woman to corner us all in this box. You’re not doing me any favors. Don’t act like it. Sure, pretend that your actions have no impact whatsoever, but acting like some sort of pioneer is far more insulting to my intelligence.

Ani DiFranco said it best:

Some chick says
Thank you for saying all the things I never do
I say you know, the thanks I get is to take all the shit for you
It’s nice that you listen
It would be nice if you joined in
As long as you play their game girl, you’re never gonna win

- Face up and Sing

ETA: I forgot my ever present disclaimer. This isn’t meant to criticize the ever day woman who does the things society sort of promotes as necessary to be a proper woman, etc. etc. Yeah, we all capitulate to some degree, I completely understand this and it’s a part of life. Her defense irked me in particular though, especially the whole trailblazer aspect.

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It seems that with the economic crisis, the Republican use of sexism as a tool to shut people up when talking about Sarah Palin has abated. And while I outlined the sexism I saw being leveled at Palin in a previous post and see more everyday (more to come, trust me) I was incredibly frustrated with the men and some women who began to use it in some cynical bid to women. The “gender and victim cards” of the Clinton campaign were all of a sudden welcomed talks of the sexism towards Palin! My stars! There are many issues that aren’t partisan. This is one.

So.. here is a run down I began in the midst of the furor after the Palin pick. It’s not great, but it’s been bugging me so I’m just going to post it already. It’s been holding up a backlog of other posts.

The Bristol Palin pregnancy – A private issue and a family matter, right? Coming from the party that routinely paints a specter of unwed black teen mothers and their lack of “morals” as they drain the system. Thank you Reagan for the racist, sexist re-framing of welfare with the “welfare queen” anecdote in an 80s campaign speech. Despite documented evidence to the contrary, it persists to this day.

Maegan “La Mala” Ortiz at Racialicious captivated me with this post: McCain’s VP Pick : Palin and the Politica and Privilege of White Woman’hood/Mommy’Hood

Imaginate if Michelle Obama had five children? Imaginate if one of the Obama children were older and pregnant? Imagine the hate and stereotypes that would be unleashed? Oh wait, I don’t have to imagine, as a single mami of color, I live it. Palin’s large brood isn’t seen as a strain on the system. They are a beautiful portrait of an “American” family making every other family, families like mine, ugly.

Lipstick on a Pig – Twisting Obama’s speech to make it look like he was calling Palin a pig, rather than acknowledging he’s using a common phrase to describe McCain’s RECORD ON CHANGE and then seeking to MAINTAIN that this was sexist of him. This is coming from a man who called his wife a cunt, jokes about rape, volunteered his wife for a topless beauty pageant and laughed when a woman asked him during a town hall meeting – “How do we beat the bitch?” I’m wondering how outraged that woman is over sexism against Sarah Palin now! I can’t help but think when McCain endorses this idea – is he seriously lying through his teeth?

This probably needs to be nominated as quote of the day or something – Hannity states that to think Obama did not intend any sexism with his use of the phrase is “naive and irresponsible.” Does this mean Hannity will become a dedicated advocate in pointing out sexism everywhere?? That would entail NOT being partisan for once, and he would actually have to work on his own sexism! Isn’t it naive an irresponsible to allow sexism to thrive unchecked?? Hold on…must…. stop.. laughing.

Update: Apparently McCain admitted that Obama was not calling Palin a pig. So basically, he IS lying through his teeth and as I’ll probably mention another 50 times before we’re done here – they are using sexism as a political tool and I am completely sick of it. This illustrates to me that they think nothing of the serious issues that impact women’s lives every day.

Sarah Palin is a “cheerleader.” – When I first heard this I cringed. Yet, as I watched her speeches (written by a Bush speech writer), I couldn’t help but marvel that the Republicans had crafted her role to be exactly that. She heavily lauds John McCain, praising him and the job HE will do for the country. This is not a partnership. While I think you can argue that they are not meant to be a partnership, I know that I see other President/VP tickets in a much different light. There is a power differential and it seems completely intentional to me.

It does two things – Although we have a woman who has a fair chance at the VP slot, choosing someone who can not stand next to John McCain with her own hefty set of accomplishments and ambitions illustrates the very hierarchies that patriarchy seeks to keep in place. (I’m still trying to figure out if this argument has any merit – it just feels that way to me.)

As well, she is the antidote to the idea that John McCain is an elitist with so many houses he can’t count them. Everything is spun into a “smear” by those “liberal elitists.” It’s not, “Wow, Palin’s interview with Gibson was some real evidence that she doesn’t seem at all qualified.” but “Gibson was intentionally condescending and hard on her to make her look bad!”

A month ago I would have told you I was as cynical as I could get. They sure did prove me wrong.

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