A short-short lesson in sexism

[trinityvixen]

Newsweek took a ton of flak for putting this picture on their cover the other week. The haters claim this move was sexist because it reduces Palin to a pretty face instead of a credible political force.

Well, PS, Palin is just a pretty face on an empty (but lovingly be-coifed) head. She put this image out there to use her sexual attractiveness as the one-and-only lure she actually has. Because every time she opens her mouth, people remember why they don't want her in charge of the local Denny's, to say nothing of the country. The best explanation for why this picture being attached to an article that explains exactly that:

The problem with crying “sexism” about Newsweek’s use of this picture is that it’s photo she took for calculated appeal being used to show her calculated political appeal.

Bingo. This picture? Was all about appealing to organs below the belt so as to distract those above the neck. Instead of attaching it to an article that went "Wow, isn't she brilliant," Newsweek pointed out that, no, actually, the pretty package is empty. This is the perfect shot to portray that.

Anyway, regardless, Newsweek felt compelled to prove that they're equal opportunity. So after dutifully printing out the responses to their cover, they cheerfully proved one angry letter-writer wrong by throwing her quote over this picture of Barack Obama. There, now everyone's hot political leader has had his/her sexy action shot in Newsweek and the conservatives who didn't think sexism existed before Sarah Palin became John McCain's running mate can shut the F up.

(I read the comments on the Palin cover with gritted teeth because People. Do. Not. Get. It. When I turned the page to find the picture of Obama, I snorted out loud. On the street. Drawing more than a few looks. Which is even more awkward given that I was looking at a picture of the President wet and shirtless.)

Comments

[kent-allard-jr.livejournal.com]

I like Matt Taibbi's take on Palin in general (touching upon the Newsweek broohaha in the process), "Sarah Palin, WWE star."

(Oh, and happy feminist Thanksgiving! Kick a pilgrim in the balls for me. :)

[trinityvixen.livejournal.com]

He's a great writer in general, so I'm not surprised he's on the money here. I saw that interview with friends-of-Palin and wanted them all to spontaneously explode. Alas, wishes are not fishes.

Happy Thanksgiving. I'm going to avoid punching people in the nuts, whatever hslayer thinks I'm doing for class :P

too funny

[arcfox7.livejournal.com]

I think Taibbi was right on in terms of what makes her popular, and I've struggled with how anyone could possibly see her as someone to be a fan of. Then I saw the interviews at the bottom of the article and I understood. The ridiculous christian conservatives who follow blindly anything that FOX News has told them. It was truly frightening to see the same blind uninformed following the leader that allowed Adolf Hitler to become leader of a country. Not that I think Palin is female Hitler, she's not smart enough for that. I shudder to think what would have happened if Mccain had been elected and died in office. and Kent I love your pic of Get a brain! Morans. That's truly awesome.