Why Men Find the New Congresswomen So Frightening

[demmiblue]

Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rashida Tlaib aren’t just radicals—they also have institutional power.

...

What these women, and the other vocal, aggressive new faces in the House, are doing lives right on the seam between Ginsburg’s lawyerly legal reform project and the teenage Jane’s hunger for furious public protest. And that’s exactly why Republican men find them so terrifying. It’s why Ocasio-Cortez was dismissed as a “little girl” by Ed Rollins, and why Donald Trump (the swearing-est president in history) condemned Tlaib for being a mother who cursed in front of her sons.

These men aren’t afraid of these women because they’re part of a movement, although they are. They’re terrified because these women are empowered professionals who have parlayed careers in institutions of power to become formidable political actors. Calling them uncivil or bad mommies or child-like isn’t effective when women are legitimate holders of high office—and yet, as we see, it continues in ever-more comically depressing forms. As Virginia Heffernan notes, “These moth-eaten virgin-whore tropes have become self-satirizing. If you think misogyny has faded since ‘Mad Men’ days, you’re wrong. In fact, as women pack the halls of power, it seems more virulent than ever, as conservatives convulse in fear at losing their old rubrics of control. They lash out more than Don Draper ever did.”

...

In the meantime, Pelosi is working to put forth new legislation aimed at reopening the parts of the federal government that are shuttered. Ocasio-Cortez is proposing tax policies that are actually quite reasonable. Sit with that image for a moment: Men in government are fussing and fuming about all the ways in which the government they run doesn’t actually matter much, while criticizing women in government for attempting to govern. It’s almost as if they are smashing up the toys of political leadership just as women are finally being allowed to move on the game board.

...

The women in Congress now have a seat at the table. They don’t have to explain anything to anyone. They aren’t here to importune men for anything. They don’t have to beg for empathy. And they certainly don’t look inclined to apologize. Fights over tone and civility tend to be less relevant when both sides have institutional authority behind them.

To the extent On the Basis of Sex is dispiriting, it’s because it’s painful to be reminded that women have been fighting the same stupid fights for four decades. It’s frankly unbelievable that we have to do it yet again, and probably again and again after that. But to the extent On the Basis of Sex is a reminder of how much has changed, it underscores that we don’t have to convince men to make room, we simply need to take a seat. These women in the House are, well, in the house. They don’t have to ask for permission to be there. It’s still going to be a long haul, with more pointed fingers and cries of “witch.” But somewhere along the way, as the bell bottoms were traded in for pinks hats, something changed. Women don’t have to choose between being Jane or Ruth anymore. They can be both. The revolution is coming from inside the House.

https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/01/ocasio-cortez-tlaib-news-women-power-ruth-bader-ginsburg.html?fbclid=IwAR0R7tiVc1DTM0saAMUbG19x5xXTcN5wc-TarmjLsxxEjS_1D7YtIHrhHBo

[CentralMass]

1. Not this man.

[mikeysnot]

2. not this dude

She is making conservatards head explode...

[KPN]

3. Republican men must have disdain for their own mothers.

Me — women are great. My mom was the best. How can I not appreciate the wisdom, strength, compassion effectiveness and the list goes on and on of women when the person who influenced my being in a poititive way more than any other human being was my mother?

What is wrong with these Republican men? I can only think it goes back to their view (as probably) modeled by their fathers, of their mothers.

[Botany]

4. And what about all that dancing too?

Congress and America is becoming browner, more diverse, and more liberal
and there is nothing they can do to stop that from happening.

[Xipe Totec]

5. In Mexico, a state of mayhem, anarchy and disorder is called a desmadre

Literally without a mother (to set things in order).

[grumpyduck]

6. I agree with the piece, but I don't think it's just because they're women.

Back when I was in grammar and high school, one popular explanation for bullies was that they had an inferiority complex: they felt inferior, so they acted superior. For all I know, that idea is still around.

What I'm seeing is that a lot of the "put-downers" (or is it "putters-down?) are already going on the offensive, wanting to start a negative dialogue about the new members of Congress. That's what Hannity did with AOC. As far as the guys in Congress, it's nothing new: people who feel threatened tend to act this way, especially if they feel threatened because they're aware of their own shortcomings (including incompetence). It happens in school, it happens at work, it happens in social groups, it happens in the military: it happens everywhere. It's the fear of knowing somebody else may take over as king of the hill because you're not strong enough or competent enough to be there.

People who are confident in their own abilities don't act this way: they don't need to.

[BigmanPigman]

14. It still applies.

When I taught 6th grade my first year teaching about 16 kids, half the class and the "cool kids", were harassing a new girl since she was different (she was beautiful, brilliant and talented but had a few oddities in her behavior). One day she came to me during lunch in my room and asked me why she "had to live?". I spent the whole weekend worried and called my former master teacher and she told me to keep the students in and give them a speech about bullies not liking themselves. I wrote and practiced the speech and was able to deliver it calmly to them during recess. I made most of them cry, including the guys. The bullying stopped that very day and some of their parents heard about it and thanked me. The girl moved after that year but kept in touch and dedicated a book of poetry to me.

Bullies never change and they come in both genders. They really do not like themselves and are fearful of their own weaknesses so they harass others to boost their egos and self image. The GOP is fearful of their own weaknesses, which they know they have more of than strengths.

[phandancer917]

7. So Happy....

....to see a new, younger crowd of excited and VERY smart people joining Congress.

I am 51 and REALLY want to see people younger than me getting elected. I love the Old Guard, but times are changing VERY quickly these days and we MUST have people that understand the direction we are taking and where we need to go.

If nothing else, the explosion of Technology makes me want people that are in tune with the Cyber world.

Go AOC, Ms. Tlaib and Ms Sinema (and others) -- you are the hope of all Generations!

[grumpyduck]

10. Yeah, the Old Guard,

in a lot of cases, seems to think it's all about them, not about the country.

[RAB910]

8. I am a man and I don't find this Congresswomen frightening

In fact quite the opposite. I think Congress should be reflective of the nation they represent. Since half our population is female, there should be more female representation. As for behaving a certain way, my expectations are the same regardless of gender.

[Guilded Lilly]

9. Weak, insecure males find most strong, powerful females frightening...

Strong, confident males seek to be associated with strong, confident females. And vice versa. That balance creates an incredible equality and establishes powerful communities.

Fear is the villain.

It will be an eternal struggle for females. History has been pretty damn cruel. Our power must essentially come from within ourselves and be openly embraced and accepted....by all genders.

We’re making strides!

[grumpyduck]

11. Yup!

+1000

[N_E_1 for Tennis]

12. Raised by a strong woman...

Both my sisters...don’t mess with them...my wife strongest of them all.
Wouldn’t have it any other way.

[Power 2 the People]

13. It's a matter of sexism and classism

Republicans,especially the Republican elite, look down their noses on both.