Obama's "good-looking" remark wasn't in the least bit sexist, especially when looking at the entire quote
President Obama recently received some criticism for a remark he made regarding California Attorney General Kamala Harris, especially from some far-left women supporters of his.
The one line these offended individuals pointed to is when the president said the following in reference to Ms. Harris - "She also happens to be by far the best-looking attorney general in the country..."
Some claimed that was a sexist comment. I happen to disagree.
The word "sexism" is defined as:
1. "attitudes or behavior based on traditional stereotypes of sexual roles."
2. "discrimination or devaluation based on a person's sex, as in restricted job opportunities; especially such discrimination directed against women."
How was the president discriminating or devaluing this woman who happens to be the attorney general of California? He was simply complimenting her. If I tell a woman I find her physically attractive, does that make me sexist? I certainly hope not. Now, if I were to insinuate that a woman only got her job by being physically attractive, that would be one thing, but to simply state she's physically attractive, I personally only see that as a compliment.
My opinion on this matter grows even stronger when we look at the president's entire statement. Most of those whom were offended looked solely at that before-mentioned line. Here's what the president's entire statement was concerning California Attorney General Kamala Harris:
"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. [Applause.] It's true. Come on. [Laughter] And she is a great friend and has just been a great supporter for many, many years."
That's right. The president first complimented Ms. Harris on being "brilliant," "dedicated," and "tough," before complimenting her appearance.
It's not like the president said, "Kamala Harris is so hot. Just look at her. Wouldn't you like to get a piece of that? I know I would. ::pause:: Oh, and she's pretty smart and stuff too."
No, he spoke of how much he respected her and what she does prior to providing a flattering line about her appearance. The people whom are just looking at that one line about her being the "best-looking" attorney general in the country may want to go back and look at the quote in its entirety, because when one does that, it makes the "sexist" claims that much more ridiculous sounding.
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-obama-calling-kamala-harris-best-looking-divides-even-liberals-20130406,0,1197769.story
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sexism
The one line these offended individuals pointed to is when the president said the following in reference to Ms. Harris - "She also happens to be by far the best-looking attorney general in the country..."
Some claimed that was a sexist comment. I happen to disagree.
The word "sexism" is defined as:
1. "attitudes or behavior based on traditional stereotypes of sexual roles."
2. "discrimination or devaluation based on a person's sex, as in restricted job opportunities; especially such discrimination directed against women."
How was the president discriminating or devaluing this woman who happens to be the attorney general of California? He was simply complimenting her. If I tell a woman I find her physically attractive, does that make me sexist? I certainly hope not. Now, if I were to insinuate that a woman only got her job by being physically attractive, that would be one thing, but to simply state she's physically attractive, I personally only see that as a compliment.
My opinion on this matter grows even stronger when we look at the president's entire statement. Most of those whom were offended looked solely at that before-mentioned line. Here's what the president's entire statement was concerning California Attorney General Kamala Harris:
"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. [Applause.] It's true. Come on. [Laughter] And she is a great friend and has just been a great supporter for many, many years."
That's right. The president first complimented Ms. Harris on being "brilliant," "dedicated," and "tough," before complimenting her appearance.
It's not like the president said, "Kamala Harris is so hot. Just look at her. Wouldn't you like to get a piece of that? I know I would. ::pause:: Oh, and she's pretty smart and stuff too."
No, he spoke of how much he respected her and what she does prior to providing a flattering line about her appearance. The people whom are just looking at that one line about her being the "best-looking" attorney general in the country may want to go back and look at the quote in its entirety, because when one does that, it makes the "sexist" claims that much more ridiculous sounding.
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-obama-calling-kamala-harris-best-looking-divides-even-liberals-20130406,0,1197769.story
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sexism
Comments
Post a Comment