If Sarah Palin Is a Feminist, Then I'm President of the Tea Party
If Sarah Palin Is a Feminist, Then I'm President of the Tea Party
Betcha didn't know I'm president of our local tea party.
Am, too.
I'm also a middleweight boxer. Whew, talk about muscle pain. Good thing I'm a massage therapist as well.
You didn't know that? Where've you been?
Guess that means you never knew I won the Boston Marathon in 1987. Ran in bare feet, I did. Sometimes, my frontier spirit just fills me up until I'm punch-drunk with adventure. Growin' up in the wild, wild West, and all.
Don't tell me you didn't know that, either. Geez.
Listen, I don't want you to feel bad if you didn't know all these things about amazing me. I kinda kept 'em to myself until I heard that Sarah Palin is now calling herself a feminist. I figured, if she can claim that, I can be anything I want to be in the wink of an eye.
Earlier this month, Sarah Palin gave a speech to the Susan B. Anthony List, a PAC that raises money for female congressional candidates who oppose abortion rights.
Now, you may be thinking: Wait a minute. Susan B. Anthony? Wasn't she all about women's rights?
Look at you, insisting on facts. Too sweet.
Yes, Anthony was quite the buttinski when it came to women's rights. But in true Palin style, this PAC co-opted Anthony's name and her intentions, and turned them into something she never would have supported.
Exhibit A, from Palin's May 14 speech: "Organizations like the Susan B. Anthony list are returning the woman's movement back to its original roots, back to what it was all about in the beginning. You remind us of the earliest leaders of the woman's rights movement: They were pro-life."
See? Truth evaporates. Like magic.
Historian Ann Gordon, who edited Anthony's papers, and Lynn Sherr, who wrote a biography of Anthony, offered this reality check in a piece for the Washington Post:
"We have read every single word that this very voluble — and endlessly political — woman left behind. Our conclusion: Anthony spent no time on the politics of abortion. It was of no interest to her, despite living in a society (and a family) where women aborted unwanted pregnancies."
Oh, but they do go on:
"The (Susan B. Anthony) List's mission statement proclaims, 'Although (Anthony) is known for helping women win the right to vote, it is often untold in history that she and most early feminists were strongly pro-life.' There's a good reason it's 'untold:' historians and good journalists rely on evidence. Of which there is none."
Yowsa.
Not to worry, Palin fans. When have you ever known her to let facts get in the way of a good sound bite? Nosiree. She's all about the "emerging, conservative feminist identity."
Exhibit B:
"(T)hese feminist groups (translation: women like this columnist) want to try to tell women, send this message that, 'Nope, you're not capable of doing both. You can't give your child life and still pursue career and education. You're not strong enough. You're not capable.' So it's very hypocritical of those ... pro-women's rights groups out there."
Yep. That's the feminist mantra all right: You're weak and stupid, and we don't want you birthin' no babies.
Good Lord.
I've been a feminist since the first time I told my daddy, "No!" OK, maybe not quite that early, but it's been a long while. To me, being a feminist means supporting women in all their choices. So, if Palin wants to call herself a feminist, I'm not going to quibble with her. I might have a hard time stifling the giggles when I say it out loud, but life is all about finding unexpected joy, yes?
Sarah Palin is a feminist.
There. I said it. The dog just flew out of the kitchen 'cuz I was laughing so hard, but the ol' girl needed a little exercise.
There's just one teensy weeny thing that has me a bit confused. Palin is the darling of the tea partiers, who want the government to stay out of people's lives, right? But that same Sarah Palin wants the government to control what a woman can do with her own body.
So, Palin wants the government to target only women who can reproduce? Women like our daughters, our daughters-in-law and 60 percent of my women friends?
Well, that does it.
I am resigning as president of the local tea party.
Oh, yes, I am.
Connie Schultz is a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for The Plain Dealer in Cleveland and essayist for Parade magazine. To find out more about Connie Schultz (cschultz@plaind.com) and read her past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.
COPYRIGHT 2010 CREATORS.COM
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17 Comments | Post Comment
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"To me, being a feminist means supporting women in all their choices" Connie, This is the most direct, unequivocal, and essential statement on the subject of feminism that I have seen. It jumps off the page. Either we agree that all humans have the right to peace and freedom or we do not. Either we agree that everyone has the right to life liberty and the pursuit of happiness or we do not. Women have a different relationship to many issues but that does not mean that they lose their right to make decisions that affect their own lives. To deny half of the population equal justice is wrong. If you are not a feminist you are not a humanist.
Jim Grissom
Comment: #1
Posted by: JRGrissomCA
Wed May 26, 2010 6:54 AM
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This probably will not get read since you believe your opinion is the only important one. I've had it with the constant criticism of a woman who has done everything feminists wanted women to be able to do and done it very well. Of course, I am speaking of Sarah Palin who, I believe, is a great example to young women. Just because she does not believe in killing babies, which is her right, you have to deride her constantly. Why don't you spend some time encouraging women to use birth control which is also their right and worked for many of us for years. Abortion is a choice that is not good for any of us to have to make. Unless, you just think women have abortions with no mental repercussions. Let's encourage women not to get wasted and have one night stands which you know is many times the case these days. Encourage them also to be responsible and not have to make (what should be a difficult choice) the decision to have an abortion. It is a more dignified for you write about that than just tearing apart one of our own. Hope this gets considered.
Comment: #2
Posted by: linda Marley
Wed May 26, 2010 7:48 AM
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Sarah Palin is a nut job, simply put. This woman is SCARY. Abortion is a PRIVATE issue that every woman should have a choice to consider if need be----I had a choice and I decided it wasn't for me---but I would never presume to force MY IDEALS on anyone else---that is true feminism---accepting that women have a right to be who they want to be and not force their ideals or beliefs on anyone else. Sarah Palin has nothing intelligent to say---the longer she is around, the more she shows her true idiocy. I would never consider her a good role model for my daughter---of course, my daughter is bright enough to see that herself. Sarah has put herself in the public spotlight, forcing her ideals on this country---she is going to get derided because most people see her for what she is---an idiot. The fact that she stands up there and misquotes Susan B. Anthony and misrepresents what she was all about shows how stupid she is in the realm of things.
Hey Sarah, how's that Drill, baby, drill working for you now? sheez.
Comment: #3
Posted by: Leslie Lansdowne
Wed May 26, 2010 9:02 AM
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I can't say anything better .. I laughed out loud while reading .. it really is all pretty ridiculous. It DOES make me kind of sad that there are people out there who actually BELIEVE this baloney, though. sigh ..
Comment: #4
Posted by: Julie Smith
Wed May 26, 2010 9:07 AM
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Ms. Schultz hasn't made sense for many years, and she has certainly held up the longevity of that tradition in this piece of dreck. If Ms. Schultz possessed even a fraction of the intelligence, charisma, and courage that Sarah Palin has, if Ms. Schultz had under her belt even a small portion of the accomplishments that Sarah Palin has, and finally, if Ms. Schultz could break from the liberal chorus in which she strives to be lead singer, she might just make some sense some day. Unfortunately, that day will not be today.
Comment: #5
Posted by: Jobe
Wed May 26, 2010 9:58 AM
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Re: Leslie Lansdowne
Do you have something against birth control or is it too much to expect human beings to act responsibly in the first place?
Comment: #6
Posted by: Linda Marley
Wed May 26, 2010 1:30 PM
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Well said! I laughed out loud reading this. Clearly, I am no fan of Palin, but I am a fan of women's rights. I don't think I have ever seen feminism defined so clearly and so succinctly as you did in the line, "To me, being a feminist means supporting women in all their choices." That line really says it all.
Thanks,
Anna from Motherly Law
Comment: #7
Posted by: Anna
Wed May 26, 2010 1:50 PM
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Re: linda Marley
I don't think derision is found *simply* because of Palin's stance on abortion, when she offers a veritable buffet of other items from which derision is begged--"Drill, baby, drill" seems particularly salient today...
However, the topic is abortion and a woman's right to choose. Palin chose, along with the misguided audience, to believe in an utter falsehood regarding the position of a woman, S.B. Anthony, to support her own narrow agenda. Worse, she perpetuates a blatant falsehood, in hopes of tricking other women into following her agenda. Pitiful behaviour from a self-proclaimed feminist.
Comment: #8
Posted by: Margaret
Wed May 26, 2010 2:29 PM
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In this world with limited space and resources, and a continually exploited environment, all caused by overpopulation of the planet - please tell me why anyone's 'right to give birth''can be justified in these drastic times? We humans just seem to want more and more and more. Where is our sense of logic and ability to act rationally in the face of the statistics? True love (Hollywood style) and fairy tale dreams about playing mommy with your new little baby are not going to solve these now life threatening issues. Rational reasonable strategic plans and actions will, the actions behind the plans and ideas are what we seem to be missing. We all recycle our newspapers and then jump in our SUV's to take the kids to soccer, we buy a bumper-sticker to put on that Cherokee wagon that says 'save the planet', and we have 3 kids in that gas guzzler - in this planet that is now clearly overtaxed and overpopulated. What are we doing exactly?
Why is some idiot like Sarah Palin even an issue at this point? Think about it, logically and rationally please. Because everyday we continue to avoid the real issues, the situation only gets worse.
Comment: #9
Posted by: Bill
Wed May 26, 2010 11:26 PM
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Linda-
I think that I get what you are saying, as it seems to be my opinion of abortion (and many other demonized subjects). That rather than make abortion illegal, make it unnecessary. Promote education, birth control, adoption, etc., but don't victimize woman who make the choice. Just as I am sure you know at least a few, I know several women who faced the choice. The friends of mine who chose to abort, did not choose it lightly. And still agonize over the decision years later. Being pro-abortion is crazy, but being pro-choice is not. Nobody should be cheering on the procedure, but the government has no place in dictating the legality of a medical procedure. Perhaps if the women in that club spent their time being mentors and not preachers, they would really do their namesake justice.
Comment: #10
Posted by: Andrew L D
Thu May 27, 2010 6:30 PM
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I read today's article and said out loud, "Who is Connie Schultz"? Then I goggle your name and find out you are a Pulitzer Prize winner. Your article, "If Sarah Palin Is a Feminist, Then I'm President of the Tea Party" informed me of just one more misinformed moment in Sarah Palin's life. I read the comments you have been receiving and was impressed with Andrew LD and his suggestion of promoting education, birth control adoption and more. We cannot live in another's shoes. But we all need to be more educated and empathetic to all our neighbors' needs.
Kudos to you on your wonderful writing. I will make it a goal to read all your articles printed in our hometown newspaper.
Comment: #11
Posted by: Susan Wilson
Thu May 27, 2010 6:40 PM
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Re: Linda Marley
Linda, Sarah Palin and much of the conservative Christian movement not only oppose abortion, but also all forms of birth control except abstinence, period. So, when you ask, "Do you have something against birth control or is it too much to expect human beings to act responsibly in the first place?" I think that question should be directed to Ms. Palin, not to the commenters here. If you are interested in a fascinating book on the subject (not on Sarah Palin's views but on how the religious right has put all of women's reproductive rights in its sights), read Christina Page's "How the Pro-Choice Movement Saved America: Freedom, Politics and the War on Sex".
Comment: #12
Posted by: Denise Kipfstuhl
Fri May 28, 2010 8:17 AM
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I think the point is missed for those of you so blindly supporting Sarah Palin. If you like her, fine. Who am I to say. Freedom is all about choice, right?! But stop defending her just for the sake of defending her. It is the fact that she is a study of false claims. Claiming that Susan B Anthony was against abortion is false. There is nothing documented to support that. Claiming that real feminists are pro-life is also false.
So understand the point of the above article. Sure Sarah Palin is a strong women and in many ways does represent what feminism is all about, but not completely. And if she feels she has to twist reality to make her point, it tells me she didn't have a strong enough point to start with. She is all about drama.
And for those of you who call yourselves 'pro-life'.... I am pro-choice BUT also consider myself pro-life. I think this is the case for most pro-choice people. We never WANT anyone to have an abortion. But if a woman gets to that point, it has to be her choice, not mine. If pro-life activists spent their time on education of birth control options to high-risk populations and not just picketing outside of clinics, they might have a bigger effect in reducing abortions.
Anyway, don't misunderstand the article. It is about what Palin is 'saying', not about her (although her use of false or twisted statements does seem to say something about her).
Comment: #13
Posted by: Tammy O
Fri May 28, 2010 11:15 AM
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Re: linda Marley
Wise woman who's "done it all"? Yikes. What went awry with that pregnant and unwed teenaged daughter? And who is at home taking care of that baby? Sarah Palin has a photogenic face. That's it. "Drill, baby drill" sounds a bit misguided by now, doesn't it?
Comment: #14
Posted by: Julie Crittenden
Fri May 28, 2010 11:39 AM
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I find it wholly understandable that Susan B. Anthony and her ilk did not consider abortion an issue at all. In their time, women aborted unwanted babies when they felt it necessary and no one thought any thing much of it. It was natural back then, just as it was natural decades and centuries before. Does anyone think of the royal women in ancient days that aborted children created out of wedlock with the use of herbs? This wasn't a rare occurrence, to be sure. In this world, where we are destroying our planet and its dwindling resources with our over-population and careless use, I find nothing wrong with women ridding themselves of unwanted children. If that sounds harsh, so be it. It's a woman's choice - a private and personal one - and one that she should be able to make regardless of others' opinions. What is the good in forcing a young woman, unable to care for a child, to have one? So the child can suffer in poverty for the rest of its life? No, people who support abortion fail to take into consideration the life that lies ahead of some of these unborn and unwanted children.
As to Sarah Palin being a "feminist" when all she does is espouse views and beliefs that go against women's rights, it is nothing but laughable.
Comment: #15
Posted by: Shanna
Tue Jun 1, 2010 6:10 AM
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Thanks Connie for the great article. Just because Palin has a v*gina (New Agenda gals: I did not say c*nt) does not make her a friend of women. Saying the words Palin and feminism is an oxymoron like saying pro-lifers cherish life.
You see I am from your generation of women who remember - who have perspective, whose mothers and grandmothers fought on the frontlines for Roe. It is the neoconfauxfems aka Anti-choice Uteriods that are the divisive ones calling our generation of feminists "abortion craving." I betcha Ms. Amy and crew are "sweating bullits" over Palins endorsement of teaparty men versus women candidates. (i.e. Alaska). There is nothing new about Palin or her "newfauxfems: their voice is one of judgment, hypocrisy advocating regressive policies and political candidates - the voice of the christian neocons.
Comment: #16
Posted by: lisalulu
Wed Jun 2, 2010 5:41 PM
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Re: linda Marley
Approximately, 80% of women of childbearing age are using birth control at any given time. The word is out.
Ortho Novum, Trojan, etc have done their part in making sure we know their products are available and where to get them. I'd appreciate Ms. Palin better if she supported sex education in schools. That's the best birth control ever.
Comment: #17
Posted by: capiscan
Fri Jun 11, 2010 6:33 PM
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