There is sexism in the DailyKos community. There is also racism, homophobia, ageism, and lots of other subtle and not so subtle prejudices based on people's immutable characteristics. Why? Because DailyKos is a community within a larger society, a society with a long deep history of hierarchy and oppression based on those immutable characteristics. And at the top of that hierarchy were straight, white, men (further characterized by economic class of course).
These days, I hear lots of straight, white men getting pretty annoyed when this is mentioned. Many white men, and some white women, claim that straight white men are being blamed for everything. Some say that our cultural history is just that, history, and those who have been lower in status historically should just get over it. Those folks often argue either that such oppression is not going on today, or that it's going on in such minor ways that no one should be offended by it.
But the reality is that our culture is still the product of hundreds of years of oppression based on sex, race, and other factors. The legacy of that historical hierarchy leaves many inequities and residues of oppression throughout our society. And if we want to rid our society of those residues, we must all openly acknowledge the way we have internalized that cultural history. Those of us who carry the legacy of cultural privilege have a special responsibility to truly listen to those who still feel oppressed by what's left of that privilege. Does this mean we always have to agree that something is oppressive, or agree about the remedy? No. But we must listen respectfully and have thoughtful, soul-searching, and honest conversations about how our history informs our present perspective.
When someone speaks from the heart about feeling oppressed, responding with ridicule, dismissive remarks, name calling, or an oh-just-get-over-it-already attitude is what the Rush Limbaugh's of the world do. It's mean-spirited and heartless. Those who daily live with the residues of oppression in our society also live daily with that kind of response to their experience.
DailyKos should be the kind of place where it's safe to name oppression when you see it. It should be the kind of place where people are encouraged to name sexism, racism, homophobia, etc, whenever they encounter it. Because it is only by naming it, examining it, and discussing it thoughtfully that we can eradicate it. And theoretically at least, that's what those who espouse democratic principles want to do.
Unfortunately, when some member of this community voiced their feelings of oppression about a sexist ad on this site, they're concerns were not listened to with an open mind, their complains were not responded to respectfully, and the opportunity for an educating discussion about sexism was lost. Kos responded not by encouraging discussion, but with name calling and dismissiveness. When called to task for those remarks, he what he considered an apology, but all he really said was that he didn't mean all of us with his nasty remarks, just some of us.
In the discussion that has followed since, across various diaries and threads, those who stand in solidarity with the so-called "sanctimonious, knee-jerk reactionaries" have been repeatedly ridiculed, insulted, dismissed, and treated to a thoroughly inhospitable climate. And as a result, some very wonderful contributors have left this blog.
And Kos's reaction today? To assert that this blog is about politics, not women's issues. And oh by the way, if you don't like it here, go somewhere else. Well, I will be going other places, seeking refuge at other more welcoming blogs. But I'm not leaving here. I will not go quietly into that good night. No, I'll be stopping in from time to time, commenting on political matters of the day. And I will continue to call people on it when I perceive their remarks to be sexist, racist, homophobic, etc. I am not about to be chased away with ridicule, insults, and dismissive remarks. Because believe me, I've been treated far worse by people who are much better at it than these.