Titles

To my knowledge, Hillary Clinton has not resigned her Senate seat. So why do I keep seeing articles* referring to her as "Mrs. Clinton," hmm?

Regardless of your personal opinion of her, she is a US Senator, and has as much right to the title as any man in the same position. Are we really so mired in the past that the highest position anyone is willing to imagine for a woman is that of wife?

ETA: I've also noticed a lot of articles referring to her as "former first lady Hillary Clinton." See above, people: she is a current US Senator. Examine your rhetoric.


*No, I'm not linking, because I didn't save them, and I don't feel like searching. They've been popping up in my Google news feed regularly; you shouldn't have to look terribly hard.

By Any Other Name

It's Audience Participation Friday here at Zeitgeist!

This has been bothering me for a while now, but I can't seem to arrive at any coherent conclusion about what it means. Every time I hear a news story about the Democratic presidential candidates, the men are referred to by either their full names (John Edwards) or simply their surnames (Obama) - but Hillary Clinton is always just "Hillary." I was actually startled today to hear her referred to as "Mrs. Clinton," and while I can't claim to follow political reporting 24/7, I do think my reaction is indicative of how rarely her surname is used lately.

So, what I want to know, is what does it mean? Is she Hillary to avoid reminding people of Bill Clinton? If so, is it because of the bad feeling toward presidential dynasties, or to soothe the people who still can't get over the White House blow job?

Or is it a way to belittle her? In a man's profession, she's just Hillary. Just a woman. Doesn't belong, can't compete. If you know me at all, you know my opinions about misogyny being alive and well in America today - it shouldn't surprise you that I think this the more likely explanation.

And let's not forget the jarring "Mrs. Clinton." Not "Ms," no, and let's not fail to remind the world that she's married. Chattel. Property. I think this one feeds into the mindset that she's really only running so Bill Clinton can have another couple terms.

Okay, so I guess I have pretty much made my mind up, but I want to hear what you all think. Leave me a comment with your thoughts - if it's interesting enough, I'll send you something pretty!

Good job, boss - contests always bring 'em outta the woodwork!