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A Centrist on Political Correctness

February 9th, 2008
By PAUL SILVER


Media Matters, a progressive group that monitors conservative misinformation in the U.S. media just released a statement: Pattern of Sexist/Misogynistic Outbursts on MSNBC

Provoked by the recent comment on MSNBC that the Clinton Campaign is “pimping out” Chelsea to call donors, Media Matters has listed other comments they consider inappropriate:

NBC’s Holt surprised that primary voters say a “woman candidate” “would make the best commander in chief”?
Scarborough to Brzezinski on Morning Joe: “[D]on’t make me backhand you”
All-male Morning Joe panel laughed as Barnicle compared Clinton to “everyone’s first wife standing outside a probate court”
MSNBC’s Carlson mocked Clinton for her comments about gender discrimination
Russert suggests irony in women identifying with “self-avowed feminist” who showed emotion
After vowing not to underestimate Clinton , Matthews asserted, “[T]he reason she may be a front-runner is her husband messed around”
Matthews asked if Pelosi is “going to castrate Steny Hoyer” if he becomes majority leader
MSNBC’s Carlson suggested women may be “so sensible, they don’t want to get involved in something as stupid as politics”
MSNBC’s Carlson invoked Lorena Bobbitt to claim Clinton is tapping into women’s anger toward men
Matthews to CNBC’s Burnett: “You’re a knockout”; “It’s all right getting bad news from you”
Tucker Carlson on Clinton : “[W]hen she comes on television, I involuntarily cross my legs”
Imus called women’s basketball team “nappy-headed hos”
Tucker on Sen. Clinton: “[T]here’s just something about her that feels castrating, overbearing, and scary”
Matthews asked about Clinton endorsers’ “willingness” “to become castratos in the eunuch chorus”

I think it is useful to point out comments that have evolved to be less and less appropriate. And then to invite people to reflect on whether that is how they want to be perceived. But I am not so much in favor of heavy handed protests and threats against the Media. After all their listeners largely determine their rhetorical standards. I have observed that with over time most of us learn to adjust both our speech and our attitudes as we come to see the world through the eyes of others. When our empathy is obstructed by religious, racial, gender and nationalistic blinders and separations this process is slowed down considerably. Likewise when the separations are removed the process speeds up.

50 years ago I would use words in reference to African Americans that it would never occur to me to use today.



This entry was posted on Saturday, February 9th, 2008 at 8:07 am and is filed under MSNBC, Newsweek Blogitics, Media, Media Criticism. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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