Tag Archives: cynicism

Obama’s words about the Democratic National Committee Chairman, like words I have heard male supervisors, CEO’s and managers use toward female colleagues on many occasions, are the equivalent of a pat on the head, or somewhere else. Often I suspect that compliments like “charming” and “dazzling smile” are really socially acceptible stand-ins for “hot” and “great rack.” Did Obama mean them that way? Of course not. But he, like me, has been watching men treat women in the workplace “nice” all his professional life; it comes natural to him, like saying thank you. But by using such condescending words, he still perpetuates a culture of male domination in places of power. Continue reading →