PeaceBang
The manic mind of the minister -- Auntie Mame Meets Cotton Mather. Blogging about Unitarian Universalism, UU Christian spiritual practice, occasional cultural and political ravings, and the inner life of ministry. PeaceBang is the alter ego of a small town pastor serving an historic New England Unitarian Universalist congregation.
Liberals Should Not Be Dissin’ Hope: Ugly Moments From the Campaign Trail
February 26, 2008 on 10:47 am | In Cultural Commentary, Rants: Sexism | I’m sure you’ve seen the clip of Hillary Clinton at a recent rally in Providence, RI, looking like a big, angry bumblebee in a yellow and black outfit, throwing her hands in the air and dramatically mocking the hope and change message of Barack Obama’s campaign. In the most acid, bitter tones and with a face twisted in an expression of total disgust, Hill (badly) mimics the stance and cadences of an African-American preacher as she describes “the heavens opening up” and a bolt of lightning coming down to save the world — or some equally dramatic rhetoric that is supposed to express her utter contempt for Barack Obama’s naivete and inexperience.
She concludes by saying, “But WE KNOW HOW HARD THIS IS GOING TO BE.” And that is supposed to make me feel that she, rather than Obama, is the leader I want.
Instead, it makes me loathe her, and I have never loathed Hillary Clinton before.
I’ve seen the spot several times now and my blood pressure goes up every time (good thing I’m usually on the treadmill at the gym when it happens).
It is one thing to mock someone’s specific policy ideas. It is one thing to exchange harsh words about past voting records, hypocrisies on substantive issues, unethical behavior with lobbyists, and political choices you feel your opponent has screwed up. It is another thing entirely to express total contempt and disgust that your opponent has managed to inspire HOPE among a significant portion of the population, and to make that mere fact the focus of your ire. Especially now. Especially now.
I can’t think of a worse misstep for a liberal politician to make, because liberal ideals are, at their very essence, intimately tied to hope and vision. I know that Senator Clinton is no progressive, but for her to throw her arms around in an (perhaps unconsciously) racist parody of the preaching tradition of the Black Church (remember, she was specifically mocking Obama here, not Mike Huckabee or a white evangelical) and to sneer at Hope itself is one of the ugliest moments I have yet seen during this campaign. She has sunk lower in my estimation than I ever thought possible.
This, by the way, is equally ugly but I thought you should see it:
I guess I’m naive, too, but I had hoped that this kind of despicable racism and sexism would have come from the opposing side, not from within the Democratic party. Haven’t we yet learned that the Republicans are brilliant at putting aside differences and uniting behind one candidate when push comes to shove? Let’s not start splintering now, liberals, for God’s sake. And Ralph Nader, if you seriously think of running again I swear I will find you and personally and securely duct tape you to your bathroom wall until November, you quixotic tick.
[Thanks to the readers who directed me to the YouTube clip. - PB]
25 Comments »
RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI
Leave a comment
Powered by WordPress with Pool theme design by Borja Fernandez.
Entries and comments feeds.
Valid XHTML and CSS. ^Top^
Preach it, PB! If you need someone to hold Nader to the bathroom wall while you’re pulling out the duct tape, give me a call. Roadtrip to chez Nader! I wish that he would just go away and stop trying to spoil every election for the Democrats.
Comment by Larry Smith — February 26, 2008 #
Nader is running. I’d like a button that says “Don’t Ralph.”
Comment by Philocrites — February 26, 2008 #
Well said. I hope Obama continues to take the high road.
Comment by Anna Banana — February 26, 2008 #
It’s amazing to me that nobody has reminded Hillary that part of the reason she and her husband are/were so popular amongst my peoples was because Bill really does have the cadence of black preaching. For her to mock Barack Obama’s rhetorical skills is, in many ways, knocking Bill at the same time.
Also, I find it interesting that before Bill opened his mouth in SC, Hillary was talking black church talk at the Selma anniversary celebrations.
Amazing what a few loses will do to one.
Comment by Kim Hampton — February 26, 2008 #
I found the clip on YouTube searching for “Hillary mocks Obama.” I agree with PeaceBang. I’m already an Obama voter, but I was so stunned by Hillary’s lack of…well, can I use the sloppily sexist term “sportsmanship”?…that I wrote a little online note to the Hillary campaign, and then made my first donation to Barack’s.
Comment by Erika — February 26, 2008 #
At least Nader had the guts to call McCaine the candidate for “perpetual warfare.” I still like Hillary Clinton…especially her emphasis on universal healthcare. Obama seems pretty shallow to me, but I think he will be the Democratic candidate.
Comment by mec — February 26, 2008 #
Amen PB. It’s disgusting.
By the way, need help with that duct tape? Neder announced a few nights ago.
Comment by Beth — February 26, 2008 #
I’ve wondered what the correct plural form of ho was. The topic was not covered in my English classes. This does cause confusion with the plural form of the gardening implement.
Comment by Toonhead — February 26, 2008 #
Very fine blog entry. I wonder though, and I sincerely ask this, is it possible to mock a black person in white mannerisms? In any case of one person mimicking or mocking another (and mocking is surely ungracious and hostile), it seems that the rhetorical style and body mannerisms of the one being mimicked must be engaged. Is it therefore necessarily sexist or racist to do that? Please do not misunderstand, I do think that Hillary has evidenced other racist tendencies (I suspect at some level we all experience this and must see it as evil and not embrace it, until we change)but it seems that racism or sexism are not the only options. I am of course, open to being convinced more surely of your position, even if resistant, hopefully not recalcitrant! [I’m sure it is, Patrick. Eddie Murphy does a great mockery of white men, and it’s hilarious. In this case, it would have been possible to say the words Hillary said and not use the dramatic arm gestures of a Black preacher. She knows what she’s doing. This stuff is carefully scripted. What turned my stomach the most, though, (and I have a lot of stomach to turn!), was her total contempt for those who dare hope for change from a relative newcomer. Her disgust for optimism disgusted me. - PB]
Comment by Patrick — February 26, 2008 #
Keith Olberman also comments on it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=canEd8hr1sQ
Comment by Renee — February 26, 2008 #
I found the clip on YouTube (by searching for “Hillary mocks Obama”) and was just as off-put as PeaceBang was. What a stunning lack of (may I use a sloppily sexist word?) sportsmanship. It even prompted me to make my first financial contribution to Obama’s campaign (but first I visited Hillary’s campaign website to write an email about how disappointed I was). This ON TOP OF their leaking that hideous turbaned photo. Ghastly. No class whatsoever.
Comment by Rev E — February 26, 2008 #
What? I didn’t even see this. Thanks to Rev E, I found the clip. The last video of Hillary I saw she was ranting about some circulars that went out in Ohio. She was ANGRY and using all kinds of harsh words about Obama and his campaign, calling them lies (but never stating what the lies were). I looked up those circulars, and there were no lies.
She is acting dirty, and it doesn’t look good.
I didn’t see her “impersonation” as being over the top or mocking black speech, but I do admit that I haven’t seen Obama speak very much, either.
Comment by h sofia — February 26, 2008 #
I agree, the recent Hillary Clinton rant did not help her cause at all, and makes her quite unsympathetic…. And I liker her, a lot.
That “poster” is horrible.
Comment by Lara — February 26, 2008 #
I wouldn’t have believed Senator Clinton would do a Senator Obama impression if I hadn’t seen it myself. We need hopeful visionaries like him. Yes, it will be hard work to make changes, but a great vision for a better future motivates people to do the hard work.
Comment by Elizabeth Barrett — February 26, 2008 #
Wow. I hadn’t seen that. It’s really, really nasty. (Thanks for the YouTube search tips, guys.)
Comment by Mrs. M — February 27, 2008 #
I like how Obama dealt with the moment when they played that clip at the debate last night. He laughed it off and said that it was indicative of a sense of humor he never knew Clinton had before.
This effectively neutralized the situation and made her respond with about five seconds of shame on her face when it came time for her response.
And yes, I had the same response you did when I first saw it. It made me utterly loathe Hillary Clinton, a loathing I had never felt before. As a matter of fact, I was angry for about five hours straight.
And Ralph, Ralph, Ralph. As the youtube says, her are your laurels. Rest on them, and take a g-d nap.
Comment by Comrade Kevin — February 27, 2008 #
My wife found herself humming the song “My Own Worst Enemy” while she was putting herself through an especially difficult semester at a graduate program she didn’t like, while commuting 45 minutes each way and working 30 hours a week. I wonder If Hill will do the same.
And as much as I’d be glad to help you tie up Ralphie, I think the best response is to deal with “Mr. I need attention” is to ignore him. Ralph who?
Comment by Will — February 28, 2008 #
Tell it, girl! I made a similar comment last night on my blog (http://revrose.com). I’m completely done with HRC. Good to read you!
Comment by Rosemary Bray McNatt — February 28, 2008 #
I totally agree with you about Hillary’s contempt for optimism. It’s appalling. [Thanks for getting that this was my major point, D. - PB] How strange is it for a candidate to act this way? It’s bizarre. It’s like she’s telling people, “Vote for me because I’m here to tell you that it’s stupid to have hope, and stupid to become inspired to take part in working together to make this country better. Insignificant little people like you citizens shouldn’t mess with such preposterous aspirations.”
I fervently hope that after Tuesday, the Clintons will be finally and truly in our rear-view mirror.
Comment by D. — February 29, 2008 #
Please do not imply Senator Clinton is racist (even unconscious). It just exacerbates the problem and shows your intolerance. What she said perfectly sums up my extreme feelings of uneasiness about Senator Obama. If he is the nominee, this lifelong Democrat, whose first vote at 18 was for McGovern, will have to seriously consider voting for McCain. And that makes me really uneasy. [Please do not tell me what to think or what to write, Lynn. We believe in free thought around here, and free expression. Vote as you like, and stop projecting your own intolerance onto others. - PB]
Comment by Lynn — February 29, 2008 #
Just asking, not telling, PB. Also asking you to try to look at this from some else’s viewpoint, not to agree with me. After writing, wanted to clarify that this was the intolerance that I perceived in your post, so glad you responded. As liberals, it’s often difficult for us to realize that we are showing what we accuse others of. And having been a self-righteous liberal myself for an awful long time (TRYING to be more open-minded - comes with experience!), I think I can recognize this mindset. Perhaps, you could take what Senator Obama seems to be saying to heart, and not go throwing the “r—” word around. I think he’s referred to it as nonsense. Senator Clinton just expressed what many of us feel. [If you feel that optimism and hope are to be mocked, then by all means just say that. If you think that HRC is “just expressing what others feel,” then by all means say that. If you don’t see her actions as potentially racist or extremely ugly and anti-liberal at heart, then just say it. The point of a blog, btw, is precisely to speak from one’s own viewpoint, not someone else’s. My readers come here to hear PeaceBang’s viewpoint. I have mine. I don’t try to have mine and yours. - PB]
Comment by Lynn — February 29, 2008 #
Don’t mean to be a pest, but just carefully reread your post and all comments, and there’s a lot of vitriol here. I just don’t think Senator Clinton was sneering at hope and optimism. I think she was expressing the skepticism I feel when Senator Obama goes on and on, but doesn’t really say anything. The problem with this vagueness is that it means whatever you want it to. I keep listening to him and hoping for some hard reality, or to get some idea of what he really believes. None of his supporters really seem to know either. Honestly, this frightens me. Well I’ll leave it at that. PeaceBang, I’ll pray for you to receive the gift of tolerance and you pray for me to receive it. That way, both our prayers will be sincere, and maybe God won’t clunk our heads together for being smart-alecks! [I’ll also pray for you to get a better sense of blog etiquette, Lynn, and how you speak to someone whose salon you’ve voluntarily stepped into as a newcomer.
- PB]
Comment by Lynn — February 29, 2008 #
I have to say, Hillary’s behavior makes me feel sorry for her, not angry. She seems to be cracking up under the pressure — becoming shrill and unpleasant and looking desparate. It makes me cringe as a woman because I have been in that place, and, occasionally, been that graceless, and it is so embarrassing. I feel fortunate that there are no videos of me in that state, but I feel sad that the first female candidate with a real shot at the presidency is making herself ridiculous. Even though I never supported her candidacy — she is too conservative — whenever she is publically humiliated, even when it is self-inflicted, I feel a certain identity with that pain. She is my age and has gone through the changing, ambiguous, roles of women, which makes it harder, I think, for women of our generation not to be, and look like we are, all over the map. [That’s a very cool analysis, I think — compassionate without being enabling or excusing, as so many other feminists seem hell bent on doing. Thanks for this perspective. - PB]
I think one of the amazing things about Barak Obama, and a key reason I support him, is that he has put together a more stable identity from an even more challenging array of choices and experiences — white mom and grandparents, Indonesian stepfather and early upbringing, Hawaian childhood, being black in a multi-cultural setting, working on the Southside of Chicago, finding his African father and relations, and being the third black U.S. senator since Reconstruction. Of course I admire and support his opposition to the war and his willingness to start with diplomacy and many of his other stands, but I think recent history has shown me that an integrated persona and the ability to avoid having one’s judgement clouded by momentary pressures is more important in a leader than being right on every issue. I do like that he is an inspirational speaker — not so much for me but for the country. I hope that those supporting him won’t abandon the work after election day.
Comment by KJR — March 1, 2008 #
It’s not about optimism, of course — it’s about realism. “Hill” (what bulls**t condescension) [Oh, get over it, Ann. We have a democracy here, not a monarchy. Nicknames are in common usage everywhere. Fer Christ’s sake, her own husband calls her “Hill.” - PB] was studying political reality when Obama was in diapers, and actually involved in the system up close and personal when he was still using Clearasil. Whose skills and experience will win my vote? I know who is the best candidate, and I know who has the best rhetoric. In November, I’ll support whomever wins the nomination, because the alternative is unthinkable. The US is in the ditch, and once again (as in 1990) needs a Democrat to pull it out.
Comment by Ann — March 1, 2008 #
PB, I apologise. It is your blog. I enjoy reading it even, especially, when I disagree with you. I appreciate the work it involves for you. You are smarter than I, and more articulate. My words and phrasing may be clumsy, but I am trying very hard to discuss issues in a heartfelt, respectful, and truthful way. I appreciated both KJR’s and Ann’s comments for that reason–I’m about to reread them now.
Comment by Lynn — March 2, 2008 #