Sexist Cartoon Depiction of Hillary Clinton Published by McClatchy's Sacramento Bee

[boston bean]

The 2016 presidential campaign season is upon us all too soon, and editorial cartoonists across the nation are busily drawing caricatures of candidates. Designed to be instantly recognizable to the reader, these renditions usually emphasize a person's distinguishing physical features, such as ears, hairstyle or nose.

So it came as a shock to see likely Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton reduced to a headless pair of crossed legs and a campaign button in the May 1st edition of the Sacramento Bee, a McClatchy publication. Editorial board member and political cartoonist Jack Ohman's approach to drawing one of the most accomplished and inspiring female politicians of our time left us dumbstruck. It is a gratuitously insulting, sexist depiction.

In a public radio interview, Ohman stated he did not intend the cartoon to be sexist. He also claimed to have the full backing of his editors and publisher.

Maybe so, but it's still sexist. To render a portrayal of any woman as a pair of legs is gender stereotyping in its purest form, and it follows a centuries-old pattern of repression of women that seeks to relegate their position to one of inferiority to men in which their primary role is to bear children. All too often this treatment is applied to women who seek higher office. Ohman goes so far in his drawing as to give the reader a view up and under Clinton's skirt. (Ironically, if she is known for any particular distinguishing characteristic, it's that she wears pantsuits exclusively.)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susan-frank/sexist-depiction-of-hilla_b_7337916.html

[LibDemAlways]

1. And reduces Sen. Sanders to a lecherous old

man. Sexist and ageist. About what can be expected from a Repuke rag.

[Blue_Adept]

2. I can see that

But I also took it as the proverbial 800lb gorilla in the room or the elephant in the room that has to be dealt with as opposed to just a pair of legs.

At least they didn't put her in a pantsuit? Always hated all the complaints she got about that in the 90's.

[boston bean]

3. Not sure how you got that... do we see mens legs and up their crotches to portray they are

the 800 pound gorilla in the room?

[Blue_Adept]

5. Yeah, we often do

Though men do tend to sit differently.

Mostly for the last few years that particular caricature has been avoided because of the whole Obama aspect of it as they don't want to portray him as a gorilla in various situations for obvious reasons. But it's not an unfamiliar one in editorial cartoons.

There's been fewer instances of women as the 800lb gorilla in the room for obvious reasons as well.

[boston bean]

6. really, we see mens naked legs and only their legs with crotch shots

to describe them as being the 800lb gorilla in the room.

I look forward to some examples.

[Blue_Adept]

8. I didn't say naked legs

I said men sitting in a similar position, obviously wearing pants as their suit.

Sorry, I'll leave the conversation now. I agreed with it in the main point but also talked about another way of viewing it, which is something that can be done with all kinds of art and editorial cartoons.

I'm not DEFENDING it.

I'm simply doing what you do with art of all stripes in providing an opinion and different ways of looking at it.

[boston bean]

9. I don't see it your way at all. Therefore my postings to you.

I didn't think the explanation made an ounce of sense. that is my opinion and I am allowed to have it and state it.

It's not a challenge to you personally.

[seabeyond]

11. it is ALL about a crotch shot, but you do not see it?

[seabeyond]

10. first... wow, to your post.

[mercuryblues]

4. Not buying

that he did not intend for it to be sexist. Clinton is known for her pantsuits, yet he draws her in a short dress at an angle where you can see upskirt. Fucking asshole.

[seabeyond]

12. what was the movie with sharon stone, men post and we see over and over and over. such bullshit. nt

[JTFrog]

14. Basic Instinct.

Did you know that the leg cross in that movie is the most paused moment in all of movie history? (according to Conan O'Brien when he interviewed her)

And she moved the leg on top.... to her left.

Just sayin...

[boston bean]

16. I didn't even think of that... But now that you point it out, it is so obvious...

I thought maybe the caption was for her to move left to get her closer to him, or spread her legs..

But I didn't ever think about the movie!

[Iliyah]

7. ??????

[seabeyond]

13. he should be fired. right here and now. no mo. nt

[ismnotwasm]

15. Sweet Jesus some people are assholes