John Dennis Ad: Sexist or Clever?
September 14, 2010
by The New Agenda
|13 Comments
John Dennis (R) is running against Speaker Nancy Pelosi for her Congressional Seat.
Dennis released this video advertistment. Tell us what you think – sexist or just funny and clever?
Cute but dumb, more entertaining that a bunch of women in Ewok suits. Probably could have spent the money better.
Besides, I’m sick of seeing women — no matter how much I dislike them — cast as witches. There’s no love lost between me and Pelosi, but I’ve NEVER seen a male candidate for anything given this treatment.
Unbelievably sexist. I’m not Pelosi’s biggest fan, but this is way beyond the pale. Not only does he call her the wicked witch of the west, but he symbolically murders her. How are people NOT outraged?
I’m not particularly bothered by it. If you stretch you can find some possibly offensive themes but he seems to be criticizing her record. “get rid of politicians who say one thing and do another thing” That is a legitimate gripe. He didn’t do the elitist smug mockery of a woman candidate that is so popular with the Dems. The Dems don’t discuss any policy or position a woman candidate has they just label her wacko and start the mockery and fake quotations as if when they repeat the fake quotes long enough they will become true.
I don’t really think it’s sexist. I think it’s cheesy. I’m also tired of seeing women always portrayed as witches, especially in such a boring and predictable manner. That ad could have been a lot more clever if it hadn’t resorted to such predictable stereotypes. Dorothy needs to kick some ass, Pelosi needs to be lost in a field of poppies or the man behind the curtain or something. A witch, wow, how original.
I am very disappointed and sad in the decision to shed light on this subject in such a flippant and disrespectful manner, especially from an organization that has worked so hard to pull women together. I value the TNA work, goals, and contributions to the quest for equality, but I must make clear in no uncertain terms that I do not support this decision and find the question, quite frankly, absurd.
In an attempt to remove emotions as must sometimes be done in heated debate, let’s take a purely logical look at this question using simple definitions and undecomposable questions. In fact, is it necessary that an opposing argument be launched? Can not a simple set of additional questions shine a bright light on the only rational conclusion? Let’s see:
Is the language gender biased? Is the term “witch” much more often used in a derogatory way to refer to a woman rather than a man? If so, the language is sexist. Is the object of scorn a powerful woman and is her scorner a man attempting to gain power? If so, the act of releasing the video is sexist. Throughout history, has the term “witch” whether referring to a practioner of Wicca or a person deemed worthy of capital punishment, been applied equally to men and women? If not, the history of the word is sexist. Were those thought to be witches ever accused of heresy and barbarically executed by a patriarchal social institution (organized religion)? If so, the practice of using the term to demean and gain power is a blatantly sexist one. Is the accusation of “witch” still–TO THIS DAY–being applied to impoverished women as a way to render them powerless and ultimately control the last breathe they take? If so, guess what, it is sexist.
Though there is no such thing as a little bit sexist in my book, I believe simple factual answers to these questions are more than sufficient evidence that Dennis hit the sexism lottery with this appalling display of dehumanizing fecal matter. One’s agreement or lack thereof, with Pelosi’s political stances or decisions is irrelevant in regards to this specific issue. A like or dislike of her face, hair, make-up, clothing, or underwear also does not meet so much as a the simple, skewered “burden of proof” as to even be entered into evidence. Relying on Dennis’ perceived lack of viablitiy as a candidate is also a total red herring. I am not a viable candidate for Gov. of FL (that job will belong to Alex Sink in two months anyway
, yet I am completely capable of manufacturing, distributing, or even simply condoning, even if through silence, visual and auditory racist, sexist, or homophobic material.
If we can prove the video is sexist, does the question of it being clever apply or is this a complete contextual fallacy? Using the simplest logical analogy: if I have determined that the object of my study is a dog, would I then ask or spend even seconds worth of my time, wondering if it was a cat? Would the debate of the possibility of my dog being a cat be an intellectual, worthwhile discussion? Would my ethics be questionable if I tried posing this question on a website of mine for the sake of publicity knowing that it would impact the passions, emotions, sensibilities, and unity of my societal peers? They may not be questionable to anyone else at that point but they would be questionable to me.
In closing, I will divert back briefly to feelings: will the real feminists please stand up? Am I alone in my disheartenment over this dust up as women are being violated, raped, and killed all over the world every second? Then why comment, you may ask? Because every instance of sexism needs to be called and condemned every time. This is the way we begin saving lives, futures, goals, and self-respect. If we can not stand together and call a spade a spade, is there a point in which we can stand united. The picture tends to look brighter in the morning, but as of tonight, I don’t think so.
Casting a female politician as a witch? Is there any question it’s sexist? Did you catch the jingle at the end? Ding dong the witch is dead. Nice work, jerk.
Well yes it is the work of a man trying to gain power as he removes that power from a woman who holds it. That is pretty much what running for an election is all about. People, male or female, are going to try to take the position and power for themselves.
She is called a witch yes but there aren’t a lot of female character images to work with in our culture. I was always a witch on Halloween as a child and especially with the musical “Wicked” being part of the current culture and the Wizard of OZ being a Thanksgiving TV standard I just don’t see the cultural reference as totally negative.
But as a political ad he states what he has a problem with….she doesn’t represent the people of her state and she says one thing and then does another. These are legitimate political gripes against a male or female candidate. So taken in the context of the sexist slurs hurled at Hillary, Palin and Angel this just doesn’t bother me. I am bothered by the way the Dems declare all women candidates stupid, crazy and people who probably went to public college however, as their mockery has noting to do with the issues and everything to do with personal sexist attacks.
If I were Pelosi I would either cackle into the camera at the start of my answer back ad and then say “seriously”…..and state why I should be elected, Or I would tap into the “Wicked” imagery while giving my answering ad.
Well, casting a woman in the role of a witch is so boring and stereotypical that it just doesn’t prioritize as a major sexist concern. We’re busy dealing with things like photos of naked women being run through meat grinders or threats of sexual violence against political candidates.
As to Pelosi’s politics, I don’t think that has colored people’s perceptions of the sexism in this ad. I mean, she has disappointed me and I really would like to see Dems out of power, but just the same, if I lived in her district, I’d plug my nose and vote for her over John Dennis because I really believe in the 30% solution and electing women.
It’s quite sexist. Calling a woman a wicked witch is sexist. The only point of the ad is to remind people (males) that she is a woman. It comes from an infantile male who is screaming “Hey, everyone, she’s a -woman-” and then symbolically murders her.
And I cannot count the number of times men have spoken about their desire to murder female candidates.
btw, in order to be clever you actually have to be original, which whiney males are never.
Laura, great to see criteria for sexism spelled out so clearly.
Bes, I know that the witch character is a powerful one and beloved by many girls. but that was exactly the goal of the medieval church removing powerful women and burn them alive. the healers, the independent women, anyone in the net of suspicions. After I read the book “Joan d’arc a military leader” I have convinced myself to get through the recordings of her entire trial. one major accusation was wearing men’s clothes mentioned way more often than the heresy accusation. she was burned alive and had her trial annulled in a short period after her murder and canonized.
I still think the church needs to apologize for the murder of millions of innocent women. the dimensions of that atrocity equals the holocaust. the church should pay into funds for violence against women.
Bes I think when men use the word witch, it is usually sexist (exception when they sell a witch costume)
Exactly. What’s worse is that these men have no clue. They have no clue, for instance, what the Wizard of Oz is actually about. So their sexism is only I don’t think men have matured past the age of 3 or 4, and their spirits are as dull as their rancid bodies. Their history is a lie. Their “weapons” are a joke, and they are themselves a joke; a painful one. I know from experience the truth that men have never invented anything, but they’ve destroyed a lot. They are liars; not a one of them is capable of the integrity of a woman. I’ve never seen a sausage come up with anything on his own, but I’ve seen him take credit numerous times for things he’s not done and I’ve seen others line up to give him this credit. So what is humanity but a joke with no punchline; a bad joke?
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