What the hell is wrong with some women? Seriously, what is it that makes them so sensitive to racism and so willing to ignore misogyny?

In a recent email to Feminist Majority members, the president of Feminist Majority, Eleanor Smeal wrote:

Dear *****,

Let the New Yorker’s editor-in-chief, David Remnick, know your outrage over the magazine’s July 21 cover. Of course some will say that feminists have no sense of humor, but there is absolutely nothing satirical or funny about it. This is a vicious attack masquerading as satire.

By choosing to publish this artwork without context on its cover, the editors have created a visual representation of racial, ethnic, religious, and sexist fear-mongering. If the New Yorker wishes to condemn the myths, lies and prejudices being spread about Barack Obama, why not ridicule those who are perpetuating them, rather than furthering their cause.

As feminists we refuse to be silent. We who have been infuriated at the sexist media coverage of Hillary Clinton will not tolerate the racist and sexist coverage of Michelle and Barack Obama. Express your outrage to David Remnick and demand that the cover be pulled.

For Equality,

Eleanor Smeal
President
Feminist Majority

Yet, when the New Yorker did an extremely unflattering and sexist cover of Hillary Clinton, we heard nary a peep from the Feminist Majority.

For all those women who couldn’t be bothered to oppose the sexism directed at Hillary Clinton, DON’T expect me to get all upset about the supposed racism toward Obama. Obama’s played that race card just one too many times for me to any longer give a crap. The New Yorker cover of the Obama’s was satire.

Now for those of you who don’t get that, maybe good old Webster can enlighten you:

Main Entry:
sat·ire
Pronunciation:
\ˈsa-ˌtī(-ə)r\
Function:
noun
Etymology:
Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin satura, satira, perhaps from (lanx) satura dish of mixed ingredients, from feminine of satur well-fed; akin to Latin satis enough — more at sad
Date:
1501
1 : a literary work holding up human vices and follies to ridicule or scorn 2 : trenchant wit, irony, or sarcasm used to expose and discredit vice or folly
2 : trenchant wit, irony, or sarcasm used to expose and discredit vice or folly

Get it? The New Yorker was exposing and discrediting the people who think Obama is a Muslim and he and his wife are somehow terrorists.

Even if you don’t get it and don’t think it was satire, maybe this is something you can understand. This is politics. Politics is a dirty business and all of the jumping up and down, stomping of feet and Obama drama is getting old real fast. What’s next, the use of smelling salts to recover from your swoons?

So, for those feminists who are so incredibly outraged at the racism, get back to me when the sexism bothers you equally.

My sincerest thanks to Elspeth of Capital Hill Forum for posting the email. You can find the post and subsequent comments here:
Capital Hill