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I think the one most surprising thing that we’ve learned from this general election is that conservatives now get a good idea of what “sexism” really entails.  It’s not just that women are treated differently than men, it’s that it’s so ingrained in society that there’s little you can do about it.  That is, the “power over” is greater than most understand.

Recently, Palin has complained that there is “gender bias” in the media’s coverage of her campaign.  She cites the differential treatment she’s gotten regarding her clothes, her gaffes, her interviews, and her private life. Below is a link about the most recent coverage of her “clothing allowance.”

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081024/ap_on_el_pr/palin_clothing_20

But, in an August 29th Newsweek conversation Sarah Palin said the following (sorry for the relatively long comment) regarding Hillary Clinton’s claims of gender bias:

“Fair or unfair—and I do think that it's a more concentrated criticism that Hillary gets on so many fronts; I think that's unfortunate. But fair or unfair, I think she does herself a disservice to even mention it, really. You have to plow through that and know what you're getting into. I say this with all due respect to Hillary Clinton and to her experience and to her passion for changing the status quo. But when I hear a statement like that coming from a women candidate with any kind of perceived whine about that excess criticism or a sharper microscope put on her, I think, man, that doesn't do us any good. Women in politics, women in general wanting to progress this country, I don't think it bodes well for her, a statement like that. Because, again, fair or not fair it is there. I think it's reality and it's a given, people just accept that she's going to be under a sharper microscope. So be it. Work harder, prove to yourself to an even greater degree that you're capable, that you're going to be the best candidate. That's what she wants us to believe at this point. So it bothers me a little bit to hear her bring that attention to herself on that level.”

The link to the conversation: http://www.newsweek.com/id/156288

So, “work harder” right?  No, you say?  Hard work is not the answer to everything? Wow..I’m shocked..but not in awe of this revelation. Hey, but maybe some conservatives are.

It appears that the best way for conservatives (and maybe Republicans) to understand the often overwhelming subtleties of gender bias (and maybe racial bias) is to experience the frustration first hand.  Right now, Sarah Palin is definitely being put through the ringer, but not simply because she’s a woman, but because of the comments she’s made in the past (see above), such as saying “thank you” to being called a “Redneck” and “Lipstick on a pit bull.”  Not to mention she’s “Joe 6-pack” not “Jane 6-pack.”  This is the classic mismatch and branding problem for Palin; she’s a walking contradiction. Either she’s a gender free politician or not. Either we should look at her through gendered glasses or not.  Either acknowledge that she governs with her husband’s help or not.  It almost seems like a shame Olympia Snow, Kay Baily Hutchinson, Liz Dole, and other female Republicans have had to work so hard to earn respect in Congress—which they’ve done—and then have to listen to a much younger mayor/first term Governor from Alaska bring up a bias they’ve experienced for years.  It’s strange that McCain in his infinite wisdom didn’t see this coming given he’s a part of the party that has taken pride in downplaying the “isms.”

The point is that most liberals (and Democrats) knew of this gender bias and have been always willing to fight against it, but only when Sarah Palin experienced it on a National level did she see the enormity of what it means to be discriminated against become of something that is immutable.  It’s a long shot, but perhaps she will also see the same gender biases in issues such as reproductive rights, same sex unions, and equal education and employment that she sees in her own campaign.  Only time, and a couple more, SNL segments will tell.

David C. Wilson