To the Editor:
MSNBC has a history of sensationalistic shock reporting - from the slurs of Ann Coulter to Don Imus to Michael Savage (who was finally let go once he told a caller to "get AIDS and die"). The network is also the facilitator for Chris Matthews, host of Hardball, who consistently spews sexist slurs and leers at female guests, sometimes explicitly hitting on them on the cable news channel.
Most recently Matthews has been attacking democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Rodham Clinton. And these comments have been anything but humorously off-color. Highlighted bits of Matthews' misogynist slander include calling Clinton "witchy," and "uppity," a "she-devil," "strip-teaser," "man-hater" and "castrator," suggesting that by running for president, Clinton is actually practicing witchcraft and cutting off Johnsons.
Clearly Matthews is feeling threatened by the prospect of a woman running the country, needing to tear her down in ways that would seem unnecessary, inappropriate and even just weird for a male candidate. And Matthews isn't the only member of the media unsure of how to react to this shift in gender power: In the tabloid tradition, the press often insists on publishing photos of Clinton that make her look crazy. MSNBC's Joe Scarborough has asked about her "housekeeping skills." Tucker Carlson has noted that, "When she comes on television, I involuntarily cross my legs," and separately explained that, "Every time I see her I think I could, you know, help...she seems tense," in both instances qualifying Clinton as woman as sex object to be either rejected or utilized by whatever man is in the room, particularly himself.
In a time when a woman can run for president, the casual observer may infer that feminism is old hat and obsolete. However, the threat of a power shift has given voice to the silent sexism of recent years. If Hillary displays emotion, she is too feminine and not cut out to be a leader. If she acts like a stereotypical man, she is branded as unattractive for breaking out of her prescribed gender role. This phenomenon supposes that Clinton is in the public eye as a sort of American Idol to be judged by anything but the things that matter.
With growing public outrage, Chris Matthews eventually gave a half-hearted apology for his comments, explaining that he "gets it." But does he get it? Women are not looking for an apology - they are looking for a change in viewpoint and behavior patterns. With this caliber of pundits with this level of misogyny in the sphere of an allegedly neutral press, there is obviously much work to be done in and out of politics.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
