Capitol Hill Blue Forums Misc. Topics The Media "We scream, We Swoon, How Dumb Can We Get?"

Nope, it's not good. But they exist and I've known it for most of my life. The article was no revelation to me. This ain't my first day.

Not to defend the drivel in question, but let's be cl;ear on what it is and is not.

Amos and Andy is a case of whites having fun with racist stereotypes... and doing so in disregard of any negative impact their action may cause.

This is a case of a woman expressing sexist stereotypes, a woman who, apparently, lives her life within those assumed stereotypes. If Amos and Andy were Black( like Chris Rock) and saying such things, or calling people "Niggah"... then it is not so racist as a bunch of white guys doing the same. And so it is relevant that the piece was written by a woman who apparently held the views she expressed.

IMO this writer has expressed opinions of a sizable number of women who are committed to "traditional values" (Note-when I say a "sizable number of women", I am thinking that Bush's support never went below 25 percent at the worst, so there is plenty of room for people to hold opinions that I find perplexing stupid and contrary to any vestige of common sense.)

I am not sure why the editors decided to publish this piece. I am pretty sure they have generated a lot of discussion about sexism that has made people more aware of the issue. I doubt that they have in any way strengthened sexism or it's stereotypes. And in the mean time they have likely got a lot of eyeballs to increase their ad revenue. So I am guessing that if they had it to do over, they likely would publish again.

I will retract my comparison. I meant it in terms of stereotype being perpetrated; to me, that's a problem, without regard to who is responsible -- but you are right, it does have make a difference.

The difficulty is in finding metaphors for sexism; racism is the closest parallel and the one I tend to reach for.

As for expressing the values of a "sizable number of women" - I don't think I personally know a single woman under the age of 80 who ascribes to these values. They may be out there; I am not seeing them and I wouldn't even guess that they are a sizable minority. I think that's a an unknowable unless you have some statistics I don't have (I'd welcome a link.)

Yes.

why?

Sexism isn't a big deal to most men. It is a big deal to women who have suffered from it.

It's great to be polite and stand up for women when they enter a room, or hold doors open for them. But it would be better if we were respected for being people, not just for being women who enjoy being women.

I am so tired of the surface being the only thing that is counted and/or judged. What ever happened to getting to know the character of a person. To paraphrase Martin Luther King, Jr. I say I want to be known by the content of my character, not the number of Xs in my Chromosomes.

Because I think that women can do as good or better a job in combat. Do you think that it is sexist to not want to train/serve with women in combat? Why or why not?

Hmmmm, people used to think that of slavery and child labor, too. If you just treat sexism/racism/whatever "ism" as "no big deal" It seems as if you are condoning it.

actually i don't think im qualified to answer it because i don't have combat experience. that is such a specific experience it would be hard for me to say. i work with women now and its not an issue. don't have an answer for you scout.

This article might be of interest.

Women in Combat

Amazing - it was published by the same newspaper that caused this thread.

The only information I can offer of a personal nature is that when my cousin (career military) returned from Desert Storm, he had the highest praise for the women he served with - one of whom was blown up in his presence.

The article is interesting, although it's 3 years old.