Sexism Is Not the Solution
I respect the work that Jane Hamsher’s organization (Firedoglake.com) is doing to promote and defend Progressive causes. I cannot respect some of the tactics she employs. Today I received a message from Ms. Hamsher entitled “Mrs. Lieberman.” It seems that Joe’s wife, Hadassah Lieberman, is a former insurance lobbyist. Today, she is employed in some capacity at Komen for the Cure (Global Ambassador). Ms. Hamsher is petitioning Komen to fire Hadassah, calling her employment there an “inherent conflict of interest.”
I don’t know anything about Hadassah Lieberman’s position on health care reform. I think she should be given the right to speak for herself and to remain independent from her more famous spouse. After all, Wendell Potter was also employed by the health care industry, but today he is a strong voice for reform. Women in this country continue to fight every day for the right to be seen as an entire person, even when they are married. For many, and I am among them, even the use of “Mrs.” is offensive.
This is sexism at a not-so-subtle level. It is also a thinly-veiled attack on a respected charity that does wonderful work for women, and Ms. Hamsher is sinking to the level of the GOP with this action. Perhaps that’s what it will take to win the battle for health care reform. Perhaps this is a sign of how desperate the battle has become for Progressives.
I think the reason to call for her dismissal is this: how fierce an advocate for Komen is she if she can’t get her own husband to be an ally to their cause? According to the Salon article (1) that inspired FDL to make their call to action, Komen is in favor of the very reforms that he opposes.
I don’t think it should be “punish Joe Lieberman by proxy”, I think it should be “get rid of the ineffective lobbyist”.
PS, when did “Mrs.” become sexist? Is “Ms.” sexist as well? What title should I give to a woman when writing?
(1) http://www.salon.com/opinion/conason/2009/11/05/hadassah_lieberman/index.html
I think you are making a big assumption about how persuasive spouses can be with each other. Consider Mary Matalin and James Carville. I don’t think anybody would accuse either of them of being uncommitted to their respective party.
As for “Mrs…” To be used correctly, the title is used with the husband’s name as in “Mrs. Joe Lieberman.” It’s a holdover from the time when women became the property of men after marriage. I always use the title Ms. when talking about any woman besides those who hold a doctoral degree. The joke in my family is that I got my advanced degree to avoid the whole issue.