When I saw this on Huffington Post, I was aghast. Disrespect? Yep. Disregard for what matters? You betcha. Disapproving? Moi?
Right on the money.
Hillary Clinton has now been described as “overweight” and therefore in need of getting in shape if she hopes to run for the 2016 nomination.
Seriously?
First it was Makeup-Gate (or rather, No Makeup-Gate). It’s always been the hair (to grow, to cut, to headband or not). And then there are the mentions of pantsuits, glasses, her style in general. And now, as a 64-year old woman who appears to be at a perfectly normal and healthy size – she’s taking flack as overweight.
And “overweight” is used as a jab, a disparaging remark. A smokescreen.
Can we deal with the issues? The contributions of good minds to tackle extraordinary complexity and help us work our way toward solutions, and the experience to navigate the political process? Is it really in our own best interest to give a damn if those good minds come in a female body, or whether that body wears a size ten or a size fourteen?
Shouldn’t we all be concerned with the economy? Health care? Families able to restore a measure of belief in the future? Global unrest?
Maybe you like Hillary Rodham Clinton’s politics. Maybe you don’t. But can we agree that it’s time to end this archaic approach to diminishing a woman’s value through disrespect, disregard, and disapproval over her appearance?
Here’s to you, Hillary. And every other midlife woman – no, make that every other woman regardless of age or size – who ignores the naysayers and just gets it done.
I have more and more respect for her over time. She is a woman of intellect, substance and perseverance. When we start holding men to the same standards of appearance….oh wait, flying pigs!!
Oh, déjà pseu – brilliant!!! Flying pigs indeed!
I saw that article too, and refused to click on it, because I wouldn’t give it my attention.
But I not-so-secretly hoped that you would write a counter to it. Brava! I agree with every word.
It’s just childish. When, as a nation, are we finally going to grow up?
And by the way – peek at the Educator’s remarks on my “Do Women Have a Voice” rant. (Yes, I ranted. But his remarks go to the heart of the matter. We need more women in politics. And I can’t help but feel that all the irrelevant brouhaha over appearance is more noise to make it seem even harder. But more than that – we need women to go to the polls and vote, and keep voting, and do so at a state level as well. Clearly we’re being overrun by state-specific decisions that are anything but good for a woman’s freedom of choice.)
I can’t really add anything to this, except my full agreement. While I wouldn’t consider her (or anyone) perfect, I am thoroughly impressed by her accomplishments as Secretary of State.
True, it has been a long day but if I even try to wrangle the words needed to express my disgust at this newly minted mine for Hillary, steam will start coming out of my ears.
So I will focus on the positive by thanking (yet again) the brilliant Tish Jett for introducing me to you, for your frank insights and also for your stopping by today–all very much appreciated.
Heather, thank you for the good words. (And I can understand the steam coming out your ears!)
And I will mention here that I am so grateful to Tish for so graciously inviting me to guest post. What an amazing group of readers and writers gathered at her place! I suspect I’ll be spending days trying to stop by all the wonderful sites. And your post today, and those beautiful photographs, touched a sense of “home” for me, deeply.
Right on! Hillary is one of the smartest women of our time and yet so much focuses on her hair , her clothes, her make-up – and not the work she does. Funny that men don’t get the same level of scrutiny ! Oh, that’s right – we KNOW they are smart and serious and capable, not like those silly women wearing headbands and pantsuits. Sadly, we haven’t really come such a long way, baby!
I love your guest posts on AFDCA and now have discovered your very own site. I’ll never get anything done!!
Lovely to meet you, and looking forward to popping over to your site. (I chuckled at the way you expressed yourself. And enjoyed it.)
What a great group of readers Tish has. (I’m going to be spending hours pouring through all the interesting sites, too!) I hope you stop back often and join the conversation!
New reader, coming from your fantastic guest post today on Tish’s blog. I’ve been a long time Hillary supporter, as has my whole extended family. I’m “deaf” to all the stupid criticisms of her, as it’s been endless for so many years. Anyway, glad to have found you and your blog.
Let’s see – Flying across the world, transcending time zones, circadian rhythms, cultural differences, familiar food, workable schedules, all to make the world a better place.
I don’t remember Henry Kissinger being criticized for his weight….
I guess Hillary is supposed to be as good as Henry, plus Backwards, and in Heels (re Ginger Rogers).
Amen Sister!! I love Hillary personally, and I think her size is fine. She is not a small-boned woman, and honestly who cares? She is too busy trying to fix international conflicts and may not have time for the stairmaster. I too think we need to stop judging women as if we were commodities.
We are, as a nation, perhaps as a world, far too concerned with appearance in our women. Clean and neat are important, the rest of it is just frosting for what’s underneath and we all know frosting is not especially good for us. I’d like to see more focus on what really matters: intelligence, kindness, tolerance. Men are allowed protruding tummies, wrinkles and gray hair; where is the equality, that’s what I want to know!
And may I say, it goes the other way too for a woman. If she’s beautiful and young enough and happens to wear just the right clothes with well coiffed hair and be a certain weight and god forbid, wears heels, her intelligence is suspect. Can beauty and intellect necessarily not go hand in hand? It’s hard to win either way for a woman, but I agree with your assessment that we need to keep voting, keep running, locally and nationally and get er done – regardless of heels, pantsuits, headbands, lipstick or the number on the scale.
I’ve no idea what either of those men looks like – do you? Then again, they are writing books and doing radio shows. She, on the other hand, is Secretary of State. As far as I’m concerned, they look pretty stupid.
Chuckling at your response, Shelley. I agree, I think those making these remarks don’t do themselves any favors in the “smarts” department.