Rush Limbaugh caused quite a stir when he went on a 3-day tirade against Georgetown law student Sandra Fluke and her testimony given before Congress about contraceptives. Many are outraged over Limbaugh’s comments; and he is accused of Misogyny – the hatred of women by men. President Obama called Sandra Fluke to express his support. A few sponsors of the Limbaugh talk show cancelled their advertising. Democrats highlighted the silence from the Republican Party, especially GOP presidential candidates. The word of the day is Misogyny.
Like it or not, Rush Limbaugh is a hero to a lot of mostly white people, especially white men. I have worked with many of them over the years. He is their hero because he dares to say the things they dare not say but feel as fervently. These men miss the good ole days when they could act out their sexism (and racism). They long for the days when the “little ladies” knew their places – places always beneath the men. Rush Limbaugh is their hero because he is not constrained by corporate diversity policies that dictate civil behavior.
Women across America work every day with men who love Rush Limbaugh and who find subtle ways to introduce Limbaugh-like venom into the environment. These Mini-Me Limbaughs are much more dangerous than the man himself. Everybody knows where Rush Limbaugh stands and can count on him to spread ignorance, racism, sexism, and intolerance whenever he speaks. On the other hand, the Mini-Me Limbaughs smile and are smooth in their political correctness. Don’t be fooled. For them, women are inferior and their success should be thwarted at every turn.
Certainly all men are not Mini-Me Limbaughs. My own careers have been and are supported and pushed by men who judge me by my talents and contributions not my gender. But unfortunately, on more than one occasion, those who found me a bit too uppity and unwilling to accept the inferior position ascribed, have undermined me.
Lets remember it was less than 4 years ago that President Barak Obama signed the Lillie Ledbetter legislation into law. Legislation that deals with fair pay for women and the statute of limitation when a woman sues over it. As strange as it may seem, the latest reports have women earning from 77 cents to 91 cents for every $1 earned by their male counterparts, based on occupation, industry, and union status. Equally important, women continue to be steered to lower paying jobs. By the way, Republicans in Congress were not silent during the Lillie Ledbetter legislative discussions. To the contrary, they were quite vocally opposed to it.
While we have charted in our constitution a brave new world of equality for all, we have a long way to go in realizing those lofty declarations. We’ve come a long way Baby, but we didn’t bring everyone with us!
THE LESSONS:
Do not become complacent with progress. The fight for equal treatment continues.
Know your talents and abilities. Know your worth.
Go after core jobs in the business.
Build alliances with enlightened men who support you because of your skills and abilities.
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