Sarah Palin Dumb? Outrageous! Psychotherapist Speaks
This psychotherapist has decided it is far past due time to speak up about my genuine concern as an expert in systemic thinking the role that the negative comments by other professionals and the lack of support from women’s organizations of Sarah Palin, is playing on young girls of this generation. Specifically, I recognize the serious negative system wide impact this lack of support has on our culture in its development of our youth.
I shake my head in disappointment when absurd, demeaning, rude, inaccurate comments are made about Sarah Palin, or anyone else that strives to actively do good things in this world. It is healthy to express one’s disagreement about another’s perspective, opinion, or philosophy. There is a difference between asserting one’s opinion appropriately in comparison to inappropriately. Many (I wish I could say all but sadly that is not true) try to teach one’s children how to communicate in a style that is respectful. Certainly if adults did the same we would be a healthier interactional and communicative society. Yet, Sarah Palin has has been called a variety of different names since she has come into the public eye. Goodness even her family, yes, children, have been blasted by adults. Good grief! How is this acceptable to women’s groups that the lay public thought were designed to speak up on a woman’s behalf?
Sarah Palin has been referred to as dumb. Give me a break! Really? Is she really dumb? That is so silly! We all know she is not dumb. HBO ‘Real Time’ Host Bill Maher actually called her a “dumb twat”. Good grief! What have we come to as people that we feel it is acceptable adult behavior to call another person a “dumb twat”? What have we come to that women’s organizations are not speaking out in rage over this? This blog is not intended as a political debate nor political statement. My message is specific and it is to state that regardless of one’s political party, as a psychotherapist, parenting expert, relationship strategist, and mental health professional, I am sincerely disturbed by the continued lack of support Sarah Palin receives from NOW and other liberal women’s organizations. I do not mean “support” that they have to vote for her if they disagree with her political message. I am referring to support as one would have hoped organizations meant for the support of women and their voice was originally intended. Excuse me, am I mistaken? Is that not what the idea behind women’s organizations were originally intended for? We as women did think that organizations for women meant to support all women not one type of woman over a different type of woman. We as women, and the young girls of this generation are learning everyday to the contrary. That is a shame. What happened to respecting another’s voice even if it is different from our own?
It is imperative that regardless of party, women are supported by the very organizations alleging to support progressive women if our society is to survive. What really is progressive anyway? Hmm, that is something to seriously think about! Why is there so much negative reaction to this woman? Are we in such a state of confusion and dismay that a woman can be beautiful visually, hard working, make a difference, be on a learning journey and have imperfections, be married, and have children? Is this not what women originally intended when they so desired equal rights and choice?
What message are young girls receiving? What message are adult women receiving? I would hope it is that you can be who you want to be professionally, have what you so desire personally, and it is healthy to desire to have a blend of personal and professional accomplishments along with the love of one’s family, and personal physical health, if that is what you want. Rather are they learning to be separatists, husband-less, and that children are not of value? I ask you to think about this and invite you to share what do you really think the females of this generation are learning from their observation that organizations that were designed by women and for women only speak up for a woman that is a democrat. What message really does that send? Wow, even in politics there are cliques, eh. So, if you see someone in school that is not a part of your friendship circle, your club, your clique and is being harassed, should you walk away or intervene? What are girls learning from their observation of feminists groups in their treatment of (which is their lack of speaking up for) Sarah Palin?
Sarah Palin’s response to the comment that she is a “dumb twat” was handled by her with the following statement; ” Upon my return from an outstanding and productive trip to India and Israel, I’ve been inundated with requests to respond to petty comments made in the media the past few days, including one little fella’s comment which decent people would find degrading,” she wrote. “I won’t bother responding to it though, because it was made by he who reminds me of an annoying little mosquito found zipped up in your tent; he can’t do any harm, but buzzes around annoyingly until it’s time to give him the proverbial slap.” Read more: Sarah Palin ‘reloads’ to take on ‘mosquito’ Bill Maher.
What do you think about how she handled this? Are young girls learning that despite darts flying, Sarah Palin does not present as bleeding nor does she get out her gun and shoot? Interesting choices she makes. Is that dumb or is that role modeling exactly what we try to teach our children of both genders?