The top cartoon irks me a bit. Pelosi has been quoted as saying something along the lines of "It may take a woman to clean up Congress." That statement, the cartoon, and MSNBC's need to point out that Pelosi is "married, with 5 children and 5 grandchildren" or that McCaskill has 7 children seems to undermine these (and other) women's political power. Why the neverending association of women and housework? And why doesn't a male politician's marital status or number of children pop up on the screen as he is being discussed? While the fact that these women achieved such political success in addition to raising such large families is certainly impressive and worth noting, I can't help but feel that the "media" (sorry, Mommy,PhD) wants to assure Americans that, although Pelosi and McCaskill are powerful women, they have still fulfilled their expected gender roles. Like, "Don't worry, guys, they're still feminine." As for the cartoon, I want to believe that it's trying to say something positive about these women. At the same time, though, it's perpetuating gender stereotypes and, perhaps unintentionally (although somehow I doubt it) undercutting the seriousness with which these women will (and do)approach their jobs. I can't help but think that, were such "cleaning up" hopes applied to a male politician, he might be portrayed as a superhero--and not a janitor.
I may be reading too much into the visual rhetoric of that first cartoon. But, I am also concerned with the arcitechurally inaccurate phallus coming off the top of the capitol anyway. It really leads me to question just what substance that "corruption" actually is.
It would be interesting to know what either Pelosi, McCaskill, or both would think about this cartoon assuming that they've seen it.
Either way, for Pelosi especially, there is no escaping the extremely high profile nature of her gender as we move into January. She is making history and so politicians, journalists, bloggers, and perhaps especially satirists like Madson are going to rhetoricize about it. Does the honor of being "first ever woman Speaker" at some point dwarf her potential for crafting a reputation as a lawmaker? As we know, the Speaker's job often necessitates being very aggressive, reigning in members of your own party even as you do everything you can to roll the other party. Will Pelosi be able to assume this "role" without coming off as the much feared ABRASIVE WOMAN?
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The top cartoon irks me a bit. Pelosi has been quoted as saying something along the lines of "It may take a woman to clean up Congress." That statement, the cartoon, and MSNBC's need to point out that Pelosi is "married, with 5 children and 5 grandchildren" or that McCaskill has 7 children seems to undermine these (and other) women's political power. Why the neverending association of women and housework? And why doesn't a male politician's marital status or number of children pop up on the screen as he is being discussed?
While the fact that these women achieved such political success in addition to raising such large families is certainly impressive and worth noting, I can't help but feel that the "media" (sorry, Mommy,PhD) wants to assure Americans that, although Pelosi and McCaskill are powerful women, they have still fulfilled their expected gender roles. Like, "Don't worry, guys, they're still feminine." As for the cartoon, I want to believe that it's trying to say something positive about these women. At the same time, though, it's perpetuating gender stereotypes and, perhaps unintentionally (although somehow I doubt it) undercutting the seriousness with which these women will (and do)approach their jobs. I can't help but think that, were such "cleaning up" hopes applied to a male politician, he might be portrayed as a superhero--and not a janitor.
One more thing: What's with the idea of women happily and lovingly cleaning up after men's messes--"Silly boys!"
Well said disco mama.
I may be reading too much into the visual rhetoric of that first cartoon. But, I am also concerned with the arcitechurally inaccurate phallus coming off the top of the capitol anyway. It really leads me to question just what substance that "corruption" actually is.
Ah...interesting point. I'll have to think about that for a little while...
It would be interesting to know what either Pelosi, McCaskill, or both would think about this cartoon assuming that they've seen it.
Either way, for Pelosi especially, there is no escaping the extremely high profile nature of her gender as we move into January. She is making history and so politicians, journalists, bloggers, and perhaps especially satirists like Madson are going to rhetoricize about it. Does the honor of being "first ever woman Speaker" at some point dwarf her potential for crafting a reputation as a lawmaker?
As we know, the Speaker's job often necessitates being very aggressive, reigning in members of your own party even as you do everything you can to roll the other party. Will Pelosi be able to assume this "role" without coming off as the much feared ABRASIVE WOMAN?
Great discussion.
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