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A #TIMESUP2020 THREAD: We are about to witness history.
For only the third time in the 231-year history of the presidency, a woman will be nominated as the vice-presidential candidate for a major party. This candidate will join a record number of women running - across parties.
For only the third time in the 231-year history of the presidency, a woman will be nominated as the vice-presidential candidate for a major party. This candidate will join a record number of women running - across parties.
Even before we celebrate this historic milestone, reporters, surrogates, and opinion makers are already falling prey to sexist and racist stereotypes and attacks, from focusing heavily on women candidates’ appearances to criticizing their career ambitions.
Just a few examples:
Just a few examples:
Stacey Abrams has been called “desperate” and “overly ambitious” while lacking the qualifications needed to be vice president. She was also the target of racist robocalls during her campaign for governor of Georgia. https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/16/politics/stacey-abrams-gender-norms/index.html
Rep. Karen Bass is reportedly on Joe Biden’s short list of vice presidential candidates because of her “low key manner” and perceived likeability — “sending the message that women who are sweet, cheery, and nonconfrontational will be rewarded.” https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2020/07/karen-bass-joe-biden-running-mate/613975/
Rep. Tammy Duckworth, a purple heart recipient who lost both her legs in Iraq, was recently called “a deeply silly and unimpressive person.” She has also been praised for balancing the responsibilities of work and family. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/03/us/politics/joe-biden-vp.html
Sen. Kamala Harris has been dogged with sexist and racist accusations of inauthenticity, as well as the persistent charge that she is too ambitious. Still others have criticized her for not being black enough. https://www.politico.com/news/2020/07/27/biden-vice-president-contenders-382115
Sen. Elizabeth Warren has been described by critics as “too ambitious, too needy, too much.” She has also weathered criticism that she is too unlikeable and too angry to become president. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/elizabeth-warren-faces-a-new-line-of-attack-shes-angry-and-antagonistic/2019/11/06/dd27b4fa-00af-11ea-8bab-0fc209e065a8_story.html
Women up and down the ballot - in both parties - face these kinds of attacks. For example, Rep. Liz Cheney has been publicly reprimanded by President Trump and his allies after "stepping out of line" on public health and foreign policy. https://www.foxnews.com/media/donald-trump-jr-liz-cheney-mitt-romney
These are the exact kinds of attacks that have derailed women’s pursuit of political office in the past.
We say: #TIMESUP.
We say: #TIMESUP.
Whenever this subtle, and not so subtle, bias creeps into public discourse, we will fight back and shine a light on it before it takes hold.
Join us: https://timesupnow.org/take-action/join-the-fight/
Join us: https://timesupnow.org/take-action/join-the-fight/
