"Disrespectful"

Here's a clip from C-Span highlighting one of John McCain's latest ads.

The thing is, I can't decide if it's racist or sexist, but it's at least one, possibly.

The voiceover says that Obama and Biden "dismissed" her as good looking. This is based on Joe Biden's comment "What are the difference between me and Senator McCain's VP pick? Well, for one thing, she's much better looking." It wasn't dismissive at all, it was self deprecating humor.

Then it says "they accused her of being a liar". Well, those are shoes which fit both Gov. Palin and Sen. McCain quite well, thank you.

But the voiceover goes on to say "How disrespectful."

This is the part that I can't decide as to whether it's racist, sexist or both. First, the argument for racism: Can you see this same ad being leveled at a white male candidate? Or would they have used a different word, like "rude" or "condescending"? "Disrespectful" is something a lesser is to their superior. A child is disrespectful to a parent. A subordinate is disrespectful to a boss. And dare I say it, a slave is disrespectful to the master. To claim disrespect, you are essentially claiming that one is DUE respect from the other.

Now, why do I say it may be sexist? Because if it is honestly not racist then it is playing on our belief that men should be "respectful" to women, based on the assumption that women are too delicate or weak to handle the full force of the male personality. So if the ad is not claiming disrespect because he is black and she is white, then it is claiming it because he is male and she, female.

All in all, I find the ad very distasteful to watch.

Take a look and tell me if you disagree.

Liam.