Sexism Sells
I’ve been part of quite a few conversations recently about how sexism is more acceptable in America these days than racism (not that either should be, but that’s a different story). It is hard to avoid given the current political situation, but it serves as a sad reminder of how normal sexism is in the daily life of many people. I’ve mentioned that I am not a Hillary supporter, but I am becoming more and more upset at how she is being used as an excuse to trash women. I am sick of nearing news commenters ridiculing Hillary because she is a woman. I’m sick of hearing, “we can’t have a woman president because then other countries wouldn’t respect us.” (do people realize that most other countries are far ahead of us in electing women leaders!!!). It’s not about her it is about women, she is just an excuse to be sexist on national television.
I know its not just politics. Sexism is not only condoned, it sells, and sells big. I’m not just talking about the plethora of enhanced boobs that will be paraded in commercials during the “big game” this weekend. Or the detergent commercials that insist that every woman’s dream in life is merely to remove grass stains from football uniforms. But outright statements that women are lesser than men. Take the recent Burger King ad campaign of “hidden camera” reactions from customers who had just been informed that the Whopper had been removed from the menu. Besides presenting the idea that people are so pathetic that they are that addicted to the Whopper (which I can’t even smell without getting nauseated – even when I am not pregnant), they choose to disparage women. At one point two “customers” tell the audience that without the Whopper Burger King might as well just be called Burger Queen. Without the trademark hamburger the place just isn’t good enough to be called king and so needs to be called something lesser – oh let’s see, something associated with women…
I know it is a silly example and from what I’ve seen all the women who have pointed out how offensive it is have just been made fun of, but it still (as far as I know) is just out there without apology. As many editorials have commented on recently, sexist remarks like that still seem perfectly acceptable to the average American. Racism although it still exists is publicly taboo. No one would dare call a black man lesser, or make fun of his race, or question if he deserves respect (which is good), but it’s okay for that to happen to women. And then people get upset at you for if you get upset by it – they say you are overreacting, or just roll their eyes and mumble “feminist” under their breath. I have to wonder if this cultural acceptance of sexism has to do with the fact that sexism is still sanctioned and preached in many churches (while racism is generally condemned). Perhaps churches do still hold sway on the morality of the country – at least in determining who deserves to be loved and who can be treated as scum.
Whatever the case, I am sick of it.
julieclawson(at)gmail(dot)com 
Here! Here!
It seems to me after reading your article that the media (not the Church) is the principle contributor to sexism in our society. I don’t doubt that some churches contribute to it, but I would dare say to a much lesser extent than popular culture.
Sexism exists in America as you say, Julie. But I’d suggest America is no worse than the rest of the world as far as sexism goes – and ahead of many if not most other countries. Oddly, some countries that have elected women as leaders are far more culturally sexist in terms of deeply held stereotypes of women than the US. Would anyone really suggest that the life of an average woman is better and less affected by sexism in Pakistan, or in India, than it is in America? In Europe you will hear offhand comments in casual conversation or in the public sphere, containing stereotypes about race/ethnicity/nationality, and about gender, that are much more blatant than the examples you list above – comments you would NEVER expect to hear in polite educated company in the US (not that it doesn’t happen in the US, but more common, more blatant and much less frowned upon in Europe). Political correctness is largely an American phenomenon that puzzles or completely bypasses most Europeans – even the highly educated ones. Of course cultural trappings cause sexism to manifest itself in different ways and places, so there are probably some examples of sexism in the US that you can’t find in other countries. The US is pretty in-your-face with its hypersexuality, for example. Cheerleaders, etc. And some (though not most) countries may be ahead of the US in terms of fewer barriers in the workplace and better job opportunities for women. But on the whole, I think the US isn’t exactly behind the rest of the world on this one.
Of course sexism in the US being “no worse than the rest and better than most” doesn’t mean it’s good. No sexism is good and there is a lot of progress yet to be made. But neither is the US uniquely evil, compared over and against other countries IMO.
Interesting. We now have a woman serving as deputy prime minister in Australia and people have hardly said boo. I am no fan of Hillary but that sounds pathetic that people are attacking her that way.
Julie,
Thank you for pointing this out. Pistol Pete may be right that it comes from the media. But I think what is disturbing the most is that people, even Christians, uncritically absorb it and spit it right back out.
I have heard Christians call Hillary “Satan” and “evil” just because she is a woman and aspiring to such a high position. I was shocked! She is a thinker, very logical, very articulate and has run an amazingly organized campaign. Any man that would be doing the same thing would be emulated. But because she is a woman, people think she is arrogant and trying to be equal to men. Huh???
I also know subtle ways we perpetuate sexism and probably don’t even realize it. How many people have you heard mumble things like “it must be a women driver” when they see someone do something annoying on the road? Or at school I heard a coach comment, “go ahead, cry like a girl!” How many of our sons and grandsons are going to unknowingly absorb these attitudes we display? Maybe we think we are just being funny (which makes it worse!), nonetheless these are habits that subtly instill disrespect and sexism, not a healthy and caring love that sees both our brothers and sisters as equally valued in Christ.
I, too, am tired of it.
It’s hard to believe how ok our culture is with sexism.
I tried to find the commercial you referenced on youtube, and I couldn’t find that one. But I did find this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGLHlvb8skQ
(shaking head)
well said! I couldn’t agree more.
I’m sure Dairy Queen would find that Burger King commercial distressing.
All I hear lately is that Hillary is unlikable, and the country wouldn’t vote for a woman in a national election. People I talk to don’t like Hillary, but they don’t know why. And I wonder if the misogynic press she’s received for the past 16-20 years might not play a part in it.
Not to mention the impossible line she must walk that no other candidate must walk. She has to be strong, but not too strong, she can’t be seen as masculine. Kind but not too feminine or she might be seen as week. She can be firm but not angry. Her voice may be loud, but be careful she might sound shrill. She wouldn’t be taken seriously if her oratory style was similar to Obaba’s. She would no doubt be seen as preachy or nagging. It’s not easy to be a woman in politics.
for l.a we are writting letters i have chosen to write a letter to buger king about this topic i was wondering if it would be alright to use you’re article as a reliable sorce.
I watched the Burger King commercial and it seemed to be people (from a worldly perspective) celebrating “manhood” using a spoof on the old feminist slogan “I am woman hear me roar”.
I read through some of your other posts and wondered if I might ask a few questions.
1. Do you think there are any legitimate distinctions between men and women? If so, is it “sexist” to celebrate those uniqueness?
2. Maybe more important, how do we celebrate being “men” or “women” without being labeled “sexist”?
If you have written other stuff on this, please send me a link or link to other articles that you think might help me understand your approach to this topic. Thanks.
Joe –
I’m all for admitting that there are differences between men and women, but not for our futile attempts at defining what those are. Our stereotyping has done far more harm than good – and such celebration of said differences often leads to excluding those who don’t perfectly fit our box.
Celebrate being a man or a woman all you want, but just not at the expense of the other sex. One should not have to put done the opposite sex in order to celebrate one own’s sex.
I agree with you on that one. Far too many people try to elevate themself by putting down others and that is never a positive thing.