Given how much racism came out of the closet after Obama's election, the analysis and psychology here is hardly surprising. And, in some twisted way, it makes sense — racism per se had become increasingly delegitimized over the years, but once a black man became a legitimate political target, it was easy for racism to piggyback off of that. So, too, some pretty egregious misogyny is already on display around Clinton's candidacy, and things are only likely to get worse.
Not that that's a legitimate reason to not elect her (otherwise the sexists win). And, in the long run, I think it's better to confront that simmering misogyny openly; sometimes boils have to be lanced, even if it's a painful process.
(None of this means that anyone criticizing Clinton for anything is or should be assumed to be sexist or be making a misogynistic attack. But it will certainly be a factor for some among her attackers, overtly or covertly, and should be something to be watched for and confronted as it comes up.)
Fear of a Female President
Hillary Clinton’s candidacy has provoked a wave of misogyny—one that may roil American life for years to come.
I'm seeing a lot of blatantly misogynistic bumperstickers about her. One interesting consequence, though, is that while racist bumperstickers produce a backlash from about 10-20% of the population, misogynistic ones are closer to 40-50% backlash. That might be a losing proposition.
Sorry, the Dem establishment press has already decided that anything short of stenography is nothing but misogyny.
Should be a fun four years.
+Stan Pedzick It is one of the dangers of reacting too self-aggrandizingly to misogyny that one might damage what one is ostensibly trying to defend.