The XX Factor: What women really think.

• « Prev | Main | Next »

  
  

  Palin, SNL, and the T-shirts That Really Bother Me

  Posted Monday, October 20, 2008 5:51 PM | By Rachael Larimore
  I'm coming late to the conversation about Sarah Palin's Saturday Night Live appearance, so I'll try not to be too repetitive. My take-away was similar to Meghan's—that Alec Baldwin personified all the unpleasant things that have said about Palin, especially the over-the-top stuff, and she was tough enough to take it. And I thought the rap was funny, though maybe, as Hanna pointed out, it's a generational thing and kids today might not have found it so entertaining.

  One thing I wanted to address was the whole "hotness" issue. Emily, you point out that the governor is "down with with the Palin dudes who wear ‘Proud to be voting for the hot chick' buttons," and Maureen suggests it's fair game for Palin to be mocked for her sexuality when she's used it to her advantage.

  Is a candidate supposed to hide her good looks just because she's a woman? Sure, like Maureen says, if she uses it, she risks it being used against her. I think Palin can take it. I remember reading praise of Hillary for her "serious" pant suits and businesslike appearance. Look, I would never vote for Hillary, but I can't help but have respect for her after her presidential campaign. And I understand why she went for businesslike and proper. But I don't understand why that has to be the only choice for female politicians. Worrying over whether she can handle fake ogling and stressing that men are pointing out her hotness make it seem like she should tone it down. But why can't women be hot and be taken seriously at the same time? Isn't that kind of sexist in its own way? (I'm also thinking of all the time people oohed and ahhed over Condi Rice's kick-butt power boots.) It's like saying only ugly girls can be smart. And hence, smart girls are ugly. Heck, I'm jealous. I hope I look half that good when I'm 44 (and I probably won't have just given birth, either).

  At any rate, I'm far less worried about the guys wearing "voting for the hot chick" button than I am about these men—and women—and their extremely not-safe-for-work T-shirts.

  Filed under: Sarah Palin, saturday night live, Sarah Palin SNL

About Rachael Larimore

• Rachael Larimore is Slate's copy chief.

PRINT DISCUSS