Letterman Quietly Ushers in the Next Wave of Feminism
June 15, 2009
by Amy Siskind
|(Cross-posted today at The Huffington Post)
It’s not your mother’s feminism. In fact, it’s so revolutionary that the word “feminism” is being updated. The next wave is here. The players are different. The words are different. The asks are different. The weapons and tactics are different. Even the feel is different.
We knew it was coming. We just didn’t know when or what it would look like. Quietly, cloaked in the unfortunate choice of David Letterman’s words, the next wave has washed ashore, sight unseen by our national media. This explains why the media’s constant query of “where are the feminists” is not being answered. The “feminists” are still there, yes. But the media is peeking under the wrong rocks as this next wave sweeps calmly over them and reaches our country’s shore.
Gone is “women’s movement.” This wave is not focused solely on women. This wave is primarily about the next generation – our daughters and granddaughters. We see the sexualization of the next generation. We see the disturbing parade of misogyny and sexism. Mothers and fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers are sick of tired of the constant assault against women and girls.
Gone is “equal rights.” This wave is not focused solely on above ground demands for legislative change. This wave is about reaching down beneath the surface to eradicate the roots of sexism that lie deeply buried in darkness, ignorance and bias. The next generation deserves to be safe and be given a fair shake, yes; but we realize our daughters can only get there by changing our culture.
Gone is “domestic violence.” The words in this wave will be completely different. In fact, part of this wave will be renovating the words that our culture has used to keep women and girls in their place. Domestic violence with its connotation of “a private matter, behind closed doors, none of our business, stay away,” is being replaced with violence against women, and violence against girls. And as we see the escalation of violence against women and girls, we see how Letterman’s words enable the sexualization of our daughters.
Gone are “protest rallies.” Picket signs are being replaced by keyboards. This wave is cresting with alliances formed on the blogosphere. With writings critical of the media’s culpability in blaming the victim. With the organization of boycotts. With the country’s weariness of an attack on a mother and father defending their teenage daughter. For the realization that, in their shoes, we would all do the same.
Gone is “feminism”. The word, hijacked by few into an exclusive clique with liberal, pro-choice rites of entry, is being put to rest. This wave is about inclusion. This wave is about unity. Every woman, man, girl and boy have a place in this wave regardless of their party, religion, race or sexual orientation.
Gone is “anti-male”. In fact, this wave is hardly anti anything. This wave is about moving forward for the sake of the next generation. This wave is the culmination of our collective sigh of “oh, not again” and “I cannot bear to watch anymore.” This wave is a quiet acceptance that yes something must be done. That sexism is alive and well in our country, and we do not want this to be the legacy we leave to our children and grandchildren.
And perhaps most revolutionary of all are the unlikely alliances being forged to fight against the words of David Letterman. Women who have had abortions are joining hands with those whose religion forbids it. Men who voted against Proposition 8 are joining hands with lesbian couples. Women who pulled the lever for a Republican are joining hands with men who voted for a Democrat. All uniting in the name of common decency and the desire to make things better for the next generation. It’s a “how did we let it come to this” type of moment.
And although Sarah Palin and her daughter were the target of Letterman’s words, it could just as easily have been Hillary Clinton or Cindy McCain or Michelle Obama or Nancy Pelosi or any of the women who were targets of the 2008 misogyny-fest. You see, it’s hardly about Sarah. It’s about our county and the next wave. And Sarah Palin may or may not even realize at this point, that the next wave has her back. A year ago today, the battle with Letterman would have barely registered in our national psyche.
But not so now – not as the next wave washes ashore. And we see concrete impact of the actions of the next wave such as the RNC pulling their “Pussy Galore” video targeting Nancy Pelosi, or Playboy’s So Right It’s Wrong article disappearing overnight. So is anyone surprised that this time, the women and men of the next wave are not backing down? Word to the wise CBS – this isn’t your mother’s feminism. And yes, you should be concerned.
You did it Amy! You hit it out of the park with this one. You were able to write down and put in words what has been brewing for awhile now. You were able to express the new wave, the new feeling, the renewed sense of purpose that I have been feeling in my bones since January 08.
Thank you.
This is about unity and inclusion. Well said. Abuse is not hidden issue within private walls, especially when it is carried out and encouraged in the public domain. Equality, or the lack of it, is an issue that affects us all: women, men, girls and boys alike. I feel it is time to realize that certain issues that supposedly tear women into different corners and make us “enemies” are nothing but “divide and conquer” weapons amassed by those who want to repress progress and silence the dissenting voices.
Amy, I love this post, but although I went back to the Huffington Post, after vowing that I never would, to comment on your last post there, I can’t bring myself to step into the comments on this one. The crazies are still running loose over there. There is no way to have a reasonable discussion at HuffPo if Sarah Palin’s name is associated with the post in any way. You will now and forever be known as the right-winger who pushes Sarah Palin at people. End of story – no use talking to or listening to you about anything. The lies about Sarah Palin have been told so many times that they have become the only truth most people believe. Thanks to Longfellow Paul Revere is a hero of the American Revolution although he only made it for a few miles before being arrested, and the riders who actually made it hundreds of miles don’t even make into a college level history book. “When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.” I admire you for having the intestinal fortitude to write for HuffPo, but I think you’re mostly giving the underbelly a place to spew their misogyny. Not sure how productive that is. I wish you could have started your run there with an issue that didn’t focus on Palin, and I love her almost as much as I love Hillary.
Thanks JP!
samanthasmom – no need preaching to the “in the know” – worry not, they’ll come around. we need to start somewhere!
JP, my Daddy always told me that the only people who used filthy language were those who were not intelligent enough to have a more versatile vocabulary. I think in this case, they have to resort to vulgarity where Sarah Palin is concerned, and question her intelligence, because they want the argument to be about anything but her record. I often wonder how confident they are in their own opinions, not to mention their own intelligence.
And Amy is right. Preaching to the choir doesn’t accomplish much. But I’m still going to tip my hat to you Amy. Huffington Post is akin to the nether regions of hell, and it takes a brave woman to throw a little reality into that cesspool.
Amy, your post sums it up. After my 30 plus years in the fight, it is great to have our mission statement so clearly articulated. Me I get my blood pressure spiking at Huff Po- and cant go there anymore. But Bless you for leading the message there too
Go here to send your email to over 70 Letterman sponsors:
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Go here to send your email to over 70 Letterman sponsors:
http://usataxpayer.org
RESPONSE:
From: Melissa Giarrosso
Thanks for your email. Embassy Suites is not a sponsor or advertiser of the David Letterman show. Several online ads appeared on a series of web sites, including cbs.com, among many others. THESE ADS HAVE SINCE BEEN TAKEN DOWN. The appearance of the ads on the CBS network web site does not suggest we condone or agree with Mr. Letterman’s views or comments.
Beautiful, uplifting post.
Amy, last week I endured Puffpo (I’m actually registered there) to support your post. I like others will not go back anytime soon, but I urge you to continue to post there. I don’t think anyone won any converts preaching to the choir.
Keep up the good work, and even if you’re not religious, God bless your work.
Well said Amy and very snarky to post this at the Huff Puff. Don’t you have to be a liberal pathetic woman hater to frequent that site? The comments it inspires should be instructive to the Huff Puff leaders who have allowed their site to be hijacked by such ugliness. Or perhaps they led their site to a place of misogyny?
Go Amy. Maybe if you post over at PuffPo often enough you will blow a few cobwebs out of what’s left of their rancid minds. It fascinates me how these classist so called “feminists” can contort themselves into such amazing ideological pretzels. Here’s an excerpt of the type of reasoning that prevails, note the hyperbole and derth of facts:
“I am a feminist and decry the manner in which women are treated and abused, but Sara Palin is anything but a feminist, she belongs to a political party which HATES women, would take away the right of women to have abortions, gladly accepts the far right wing religious who oppress women, and she is using this for political expediency. Screw Sara Palin.”
So, Sarah Palin may be a woman but screw her since I don’t agree with her views. No need to stand with women we disagree with, right? They “deserve” what they get from the patriarchy. Kind of like those slutty tramps that ask to get raped by wearing short skirts and tight sweaters. Oh wait – what decade are we living in again?
Amy – We are so lucky to have you to help lead the charge. You said this so eloquently, yet powerfully. Thank you.
Another day, another successful TNA campaign. FemiSex on cultural sexism:
Thanks Donna Darko!
I just checked out the piece on your advice at Femisex. We’ll try to use this insight in our next press release. Great heads up. Thanks!
Thirteen 20 something Jon Favreau types. Oh joy sounds like the netroots.
Successful TNA / PUMA / disaffected Democrats campaign. Not sure if FemiSex is a PUMA.
Ah, Amy! I’ll never be able to read another column by anyone else without comparing it to yours….Expressing your sentiments so forcefully, almost lyrically at the same time, was absolutely apocalyptic! This is truly an amazing ‘feminist epiphany’ that we aren’t going to find in Huffington or anywhere else. Absolutely ‘target on’.
Letterman should be given the same treatment by CBS that Don Imus received from his NBC bosses for his unjustifiable racist comments.
The very fact that Letterman still has a job is sufficient proof to indict our cultural values that need an immediate overhaul to eliminate misogyny in all its forms before it poisons our young girls’ souls any further and dehumanizes us all.
Thank you, Amy! This Canadian agrees with you 100% and I understand our campaign to get this pathetic perv fired is already bearing fruit. Embassy suites is pulling out its CBS.com ads!…
I just joined the “FireLetterman.com” site for tomorrow’s protest outside CBS studios. It’s a very interesting site…Many Hillary supporters will be there. It is ironic to recall that Gov. Palin, when first nominated, mentioned that she thought Hillary should be “able to take the sexist remarks” as she herself has been able to survive quite well in politics “confronting the neanderthals”! She sure has changed her mind and has seen the reason for Hillary’s fierce advocacy of girls’ and womens’ human rights–synonymous really as she said back in ’95! For how can we be said to live in a just, equal society with human rights when half the population has no right to defend itself against blatant sexism. It’s ironic that now Gov. Palin has become that fierce advocate of women’s and girls’ rights that she had once criticized Hillary for….It’s really a blessing to have these two women of different ideologies fight for future generations. It’s also amazing that these two women respected and praised each other during the primaries–unlike the hordes of obamyopics who went out of their way to prove their misogyny!
It is a bit more than a wave being washed ashore – IMO it is more akin to a beach landing, almost a war analogy in some respects. There sure the hell is a lethal component to the mysogyny that women confront, murder, rape and battery, the shelters are full, so yes, in some respects ‘troops’ are going ashore to face some very serious stuff.
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