Sharp Elbows Jab Both Ways
Infuriating.
On the Clinton front, no doubt there will be straight-out sexist episodes on the campaign trail; no doubt, there will be many more moments of subtle and subconscious bias. The 2008 campaign offered some guidance: don't talk about likability; and for goodness' sake, don't comment on her clothes!
Still, we -- we the media and we the country -- are navigating somewhat unfamiliar waters as we contemplate the most serious prospect ever of a woman in the White House. That Clinton is the spouse of a former president and a new grandmother only expands the treacherous landscape.
And language assuredly matters. Some words carry inevitable connotations of sexism -- not just the one that rhymes with witch but also whiny, shrill, complaining, carping, overwrought, and its especially offensive cousin, hysterical.
But there is a difference between penalizing women for attributes and behavior that would be tolerated or even rewarded in a man -- here we get back to those elbows, but also aggressive, ambitious, territorial -- and deeming the use of the words themselves somehow offensive when applied to a woman.
Indeed, we do Clinton -- and all women -- a disservice by conflating criticism and sexism. Running for president means coming in for rough treatment. Hillary Clinton is woman enough to take it. She's got pretty sharp elbows, too -- and good for her.
========
Ruth Marcus' email address is ruthmarcus@washpost.com.
Copyright 2015 Washington Post Writers Group
