When former Senator Arlen Specter told Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann to "act like a lady," he was widely chastised for his "sexist" remark and was forced to apologize. See here.
Yet, women are permitted to tell men to "man up" with impunity. During last fall's senatorial campaign, Sharron Angle, Robin Carnhan, Christine O'Donnell and Jane Norton -- all women -- verbally attacked their male opponents by telling them to "man up." See here. Sarah Palin has also used the term "man up" and has questioned the president's “cojones.” See here.
Virtually no one thought any of that was improper.
A male politician is not permitted to tell a female politician to "act like a lady" because of -- what? -- negative historical connotations about what it means to act like a lady? And if a male politician dared to tell a female politician to "man up," or questioned her "cojones," he'd not only be considered sexist, but worse, strange.
So, what gender allusions can a male politician make about a female politician?
None.
Nor should female politicians make gender allusions about male politicians. And if we truly believed in equality instead of only citing it when it works in women's favor, we'd call women out on their sexism when they chide a male politician for not "manning up."
Here's the bottom line, women: you have no more right to dictate that a man behave in accordance with your notions of masculinity than a man has the right to dictate that you behave in accordance with his notions of femininity.
And if you disagree with that, you are a sexist pig.
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10 comments:
Amen!
Of course, for some reason, acting like a man always seems to correlate with acting in a way that benefits the woman.
Of course, for some reason, acting like a man always seems to correlate with acting in a way that benefits the woman.
Congratulations! You have glimpsed the Code!
The term "man-up" is invariable a demand, usually from a woman, for a man to allow himself to be walked-over by said woman.
"Of course, for some reason, acting like a man always seems to correlate with acting in a way that benefits the woman."
Yeah, it is really strange how that works out.
What is perplexing about female candidates running for office telling their male opponents to "man up" is that, if being manly is such an important requirement for leadership, what the hell are the women doing running for office in the first place?
"Of course, for some reason, acting like a man always seems to correlate with acting in a way that benefits the woman."
Exactly. And the irony is that any man who allows himself to be pressured into doing something by a woman employing such tactics is only really achieving the exact opposite effect, proving he is not much of a man at all.
Russell A. James said...
The term "man-up" is invariable a demand, usually from a woman, for a man to allow himself to be walked-over by said woman.
_____________________
Russell got this right on the money. The 'man up' comment is slang for a man or boy allowing themselves to be walked all over by a woman or girl... sorry, but I am not going to allow that.
"Here's the bottom line, women: you have no more right to dictate that a man behave in accordance with your notions of masculinity than a man has the right to dictate that you behave in accordance with his notions of femininity.
And if you disagree with that, you are a sexist pig."
Bravo! What the hell would the average woman know about what makes a man?
More to the point how dare a woman (who is most likely a feminist) tell a man to "man up" when she probably has no idea what it means to be a woman.
Just once I would love to see a male politician respond by calling out the sexist remark. Man o man! Would the feathers fly!
TMOTS
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