Evidently, not since Clarence Thomas tried to woo Anita Hill with tales about “Long Dong Silver” has a man treated a woman so disrespectfully as when President Obama called California Attorney General Kamala Harris beautiful during a Democratic National Committee fundraiser on Thursday.
For the hysteria he incited among the latter-day guardians of feminism went so viral that, within 24 hours, he was forced to issue not only a public apology to all of the (ugly) women he unwittingly offended, but even a personal apology to Harris – notwithstanding that, by all accounts, she was duly flattered by his remarks. (And it is utterly irrelevant that this “confirmed bachelorette” might have been far more flattered if the Obama calling her beautiful were Michelle.)
Meanwhile, it would not surprise in the least if 99 percent of those venting outrage have no clue what Obama actually said. So here – for the record and to hopefully help quell this hysteria – is what he said about Harris in the context of acknowledging a host of dignitaries at this private event:
You have to be careful to, first of all, say she is brilliant and she is dedicated and she is tough, and she is exactly what you’d want in anybody who is administering the law, and making sure that everybody is getting a fair shake. She also happens to be by far the best-looking attorney general in the country – Kamala Harris is here. [The crowds laughs and applauds … approvingly.] It’s true; and she is a great friend and has just been a great supporter for many, many years; she’s brilliant and she’s dedicated.
(ABC News, April 5, 2013)
Mind you, I would understand the outrage if Obama remarked only on her looks. And, based on what you’ve heard in the media about his remarks being sexist and degrading, you probably thought all Obama said was something truly inappropriate and juvenile like:
… Hey, shout out to the hottest babe in all of Cali-forn-i-a, Kamala Harris?
Whereas, in fact, he clearly could not have shown more regard for her professional accomplishments before just happening to state the obvious about her good looks. This makes one wonder not about what he said, but about what kind of twisted, victimized mind would make of it an attack on women.
Which brings me to what I suspect is really behind this hysteria: jealousy! Because only this explains the irrational reaction among so many women. I’ve seen a number of them on TV waxing gender-based indignation. But their lips and, yes, their looks betray their resentment over having the (generally) unattainable standard Harris sets for that rare combination of beauty, brains, and professional success rubbed in their faces – and by no less a person than the president of the United States.
Therefore, their antic defense of political correctness merely demonstrates the extent to which the “feminazi” fringe of the women’s movement can be every bit as wacko and dogmatic as the Tea Party fringe of the conservative movement.
I hope my reference above to Clarence Thomas and Anita Hill reminds all fair-minded people of what really constitutes sexual harassment. But I feel constrained to note that this episode reflects a schism between Black and White women that has dogged feminism from day one.
For I would bet my life savings that the reason you’re seeing mostly White women on TV acting as if Obama treated Harris the way Thomas treated Hill is that most Black women actually see Obama’s remarks for the wholesome and welcome compliment it was. Of course no Black woman (or man) in public life would dare admit this for fear of being censured by feminism’s latter-day guardians of gender protocol.
Legacy Note: With over 5,600 posts spanning 20 years, I am easily the most prolific blogger on the most eclectic array of topics on the web. That makes The iPINIONS Journal an unparalleled archive of informed political and cultural commentary. Visit the ARCHIVES section in the sidebar or search by topic. You won’t find a more consistent, independent voice on world affairs.