This week in Bash Muslims on Primetime: Commander in Chief.
[Speaker of the House Nathan] Templeton: “How many Islamic states do you think would follow the edicts of a woman?” [link]
Yes, Muslims hate women; wouldn’t elect one dogcatcher, let alone head of state. Wait, did I say elect? Doesn’t that mean democracy or some such thing? Sorry, my bad.
How does the first female US President (to-be at this point) respond? With gentle chiding, the merest hint of a frown on her lovely brow, soft yet strong? Preserves the woman-as-compassionate stereotype to go with the hard-as-nails commander-in-chief one? How about a simple quoting of facts, snuffing bigotry with cold logic, say by pointing out that loads of Arab despots were happy being photographed walking behind Margaret Thatcher? Or by mentioning a few of the following names?
But no, that would be too hard. What, you mean to say that those uncivilized, beady-eyed, foamy-mouthed darkies have elected women to the highest office in the land, while our gentle white souls turn catatonic every time somone says the H word?
Nope. That could lead to the uncomfortable conclusion that (gasp!) our society is the one that has a problem with a female President. Might we need a lesson in gender equality from savages? Much easier to nurture a familiar stereotype, and throw in a little PMS humor for kicks.
[President Mackenzie Allen]: “Well, not only that, Nathan, but we have that whole once a month, will she or won’t she press the button’ thing.” [link]
Note to the writers of Commander in Chief: get off your assumptions. Wikipedia is free: Unless perpetuating negative stereotypes of Muslims is part of the liberal media conspiracy and you’re just doing your bit, try to read up a little.
[Disclaimer: I am in no way claiming that women live the good life in Muslim countries. Or professing any love for Islam. Except for Tansu Çiller, the last names of all the women listed above had something to do with their election. But casual stereotypes smack of intellectual laziness. And we don’t want any of that on TV now, do we?]
