'Sexist' Media Focus on Rep. Nancy Pelosi's Wardrobe?

[DeepModem Mom]

Editor&Publisher/AP: 'Sexist' Media Focus on Rep. Nancy Pelosi's Wardrobe?
Published: November 21, 2006

NEW YORK -- "The emperor has no clothes," House Speaker-elect Nancy Pelosi once famously said about President Bush.

Well, actually he has some fairly decent ones, but it's been Pelosi's clothes -- stylish, well-chosen and nicely cut, of the Armani variety -- that have garnered attention since she became the most powerful woman in American politics earlier this month.

Why do we focus on Pelosi's clothes and not those of our president, or any male in Washington? Is it inherently sexist, detracting attention from her obvious accomplishments? Or is it merely a reflection of the obvious truth that, while clothes matter for both men and women, female attire is more noticeable, more expressive and more interesting?

It's an easier call when the fashion verdict is negative. Then, it can seem cruel: Recall the harsh response to Bush's one-time Supreme Court nominee Harriet E. Miers....One person who finds attention to Pelosi's clothes "over the top" is Eleanor Smeal, one of the country's most recognizable feminists.

"Yes, she dresses impeccably and wears clothes beautifully," says Smeal, president of the Feminist Majority Foundation. "But this is a very accomplished woman. Why wasn't there more attention to her achievement of breaking through the marble ceiling (and becoming the first female Speaker in history)? They're trying to keep us on the style pages, the old-fashioned way."

But there is one positive aspect to the attention, Smeal says: "At least it's introducing the speaker to the country. Imagine if they DIDN'T like her clothes!"...

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003410868

[dipsydoodle]

1. Let's just say

"she's an attractive woman and she wears nice clothes" - 'nuff said

[onenote]

2. we do it here at DU, so why would we expect anything else

There have been countless threads on DU about the fashion sensibility (or lack thereof) of various repub women, including Condi, Meiers, Pickles, Harris, the wives of Roberts and Alito, the bush twins, etc.

If its something people talk about, its hardly a surprise that its also something the media would talk about.

I don't like it (either here on DU or in the media), but its the way it is.

[mtnsnake]

3. Good gawd, why does everything have to be "sexist". Pelosi's sexy, period.

Who really cares if some standards are different for women? It's not like they're bad standards. Pelosi is simply nice to look at and she's in the limelight. Enjoy it.

[Morgana LaFey]

9. Yes, this is sexism, and it keeps women from being able to

participate in society as full equals.

Always, always, always bringing the discussion down to (and it IS "DOWN" to) looks, beauty, fashion, is demeaning and discouraging. It keeps women from being taken seriously -- after all, fashion and beauty aren't serious, they're consumables, which means it also keeps women objectified with by definition is slightly less than fully human.

I want, and as someone who posts here and obviously identifies with people on the political left, YOU should want, our Speaker of the House to be taken seriously. Please don't participate in this sexism, please don't defend it either. Please understand it and work FOR equality, not against it. Nancy Pelosi will be able to get a lot more accomplished a lot more quickly for ALL of us if we refuse to allow or support this subtle erosion of her power and authority.

[mtnsnake]

12. Your basicly saying I cant appreciate & flaunt her beauty without taking her serious?

FYI, I can admire her dress and her looks and STILL take her just as serious as you can.

[Morgana LaFey]

13. No, I'm basiscally saying that your open, verbal appreciation of

her beauty buys into and actively promotes a whole society where women's beauty, dress, appearance, etc. are what are discussed INSTEAD of what there is to take seriously about her.

You don't NEED to talk about her beauty, etc. publicly. It's not important -- certainly not as important as what there is to take seriously about her -- and all your trash talk does is help keep women stuck in beauty/appearance discussions instead of policy/agenda discussions.

I think it's noteworthy that you are not able or willing to acknowledge that YOU personally could possibly have a role to play in advancing equality for women, as well as how absolutely unwilling you are to even consider fulfilling that role, that simple, easy, no-brainer role. Instead, you want to twist my words and meaning in the service of defending your own participation in a basically sexist discussion, and apprently your RIGHT to engage in such discussions no matter the effect on women.

[mtnsnake]

16. Bull-oney

The only one doing any twisting of any words is you, and, BTW, there is no trash talking by me, even though you're saying there is. If and when I start trash talking you'll know it.

If I want to "openly" compliment Nancy Pelosi for her outward beauty, AS WELL as appreciate her for her professionalism whenever she deserves it, then I'm sure as hell not going to suppress my feelings or compliments for her just because of some overly sensitive and dramatic repesentations by you of what's right or wrong, when there simply is no right or wrong when it comes to talking about one's physical beauty in a harmless manner, although I'm sure what's harmless to me is not to you and you're willing to argue about it until hell freezes over.

Anyway, there is nothing you can do or say to make me feel like I'm slighting Nancy Pelosi or women in general just because I think she's an attractive House leader. Complimenting her for something she was born with doesn't in the least mean that I'm not giving her credit for why she's really there or that these expressions of mine are somehow degrading to women.

[Morgana LaFey]

19. Yes, I know

there is nothing you can do or say...

I realized I was talking to one very closed mind almost immediately. A closed mind insistent upon retaining white male privilege at all costs.

Enjoy yourself. And the next time you actually ARE touched or appalled or disgusted by some instance of sexism in the world, remember this conversation, and go look in the mirror.

[mtnsnake]

20. blah blah blah blah

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[KingFlorez]

4. I don't see a problem

If she wears nice clothes, there's no problem with people saying it.

[Morgana LaFey]

10. Ther eis if they don't say that about her male counterparts, and

they don't. That means that it's a standard and an issue that only she as a woman must live up to (or down to, as the case may be). As I said in my previous post, it's a way to keep from having to discuss anything substantive about her.

Do you want the media focusing on these things or her legislative agenda? Do you want to know all about her wardrobe or how she plans to staff her committees and press forward her legislation?

Do you want the American people to think of her as a dingbat who cares for nothing but nice clothes and looking good, or do you want them to know what Democrats stand for by virtue of what she's doing as Speaker of the House?

There's plenty wrong with it, as I hope you recognize by thinking it through.

[mtnsnake]

17. You are going way too far

It's you who's making her the "focus" of her good looks. The media has not focused on her for her looks; they've only touched upon it. It's people like us right now who are focusing upon it only because you're taking offense to it.

Do you want the American people to think of her as a dingbat who cares for nothing but nice clothes and looking good, or do you want them to know what Democrats stand for by virtue of what she's doing as Speaker of the House?

Are you serious??? This is Nancy Pelosi we're talking about, a good looking lady who dresses nicely. It's not Madonna in a leotard for chrise sakes!!

[TheWraith]

22. I think you're being a bit one-sided.

I remember many discussions during the 2004 primary about John Edwards' looks. I also remember--albeit reluctantly--something from Hardball about the virile qualities of Bush's "cowboy swagger" on the USS Lincoln, and I really wish I could remove that bit from my brain.

I fail to see what's wrong with saying that Nancy Pelosi is an attractive woman. For a woman of her age, she's absolutely stunning.

And as for fashion, when was the last time a male politician wore anything other than a three piece suit?

This is a pretty minor bit of news.

[Eurobabe]

5. Hey I hope I look that good at 66!!

She's a beautiful woman. If you've got it, flaunt it!! Brains, beauty, what a lethal combination!

[Dr Fate]

8. I had no idea she was that age- she is very youthful. n/t

n/t

[Vinca]

6. Let's be grateful we never heard about Denny Hastert's duds. nt

[Dr Fate]

7. She dresses a whole lot better than Pickles. 10,000% smarter too. n/t

n/t

[Azathoth]

11. Sure it's sexist, but there's a practical reason for it too

You can't critique a male politican's clothes, since the only thing that differentiates them from every other male politician's clothes is the color of his tie.

[Morgana LaFey]

15. Why does clothing have to be critiqued at all, as long as

it falls within the realm of "acceptable"?

I'm sure people can find all kinds of rationalizations for this sexist practice, but that doesn't make it less sexist, OR acceptable.

[Eric J in MN]

14. In 2000, whenever Al Gore changed his clothes, the media

...declared: Al Gore is re-inventing himself, again!

Or that Gore was wearing "earth tones."

[jokerman93]

18. plain and simple

This is done to trivialize her.
J

[jillan]

21. I am getting SO pissed

All of the political cartoons about Pelosi show her cooking (as in cooking the repug goose) or show her cleaning (as in cleaning up the WH)
One political cartoon I saw had both Pelosi and Macskill cleaning!!!

My blood is starting to boil.
I feel we have stepped back decades in sexism and racism.

Dam them!