Amanda Taub says Donald Trump gave us a master class in sexism. She analyses various ways that he attacked the moderator Megyn Kelly. I thought it would help to think through HOW TO RESPOND to each of the "types" of deflections a sexist typically uses.
See Amanda Taub’s article, Aug 7, 2015: http://www.vox.com/2015/8/7/9114943/donald-trump-sexism-debate.
The strategies of sexists (per Taub), with my examples of how to respond:
1. Claim that the complaint is an exaggeration in order to imply that the complainant can’t be trusted.
“Mr. Trump, your personal mockery of Rosie O’Donnell does not answer the question. It might be a fun comment in a reality show (The Apprentice?) where bullying and name-calling are a form of entertainment. She’s a comedian, and you are bidding for the part of leader of the free world. How do you explain your frequent categorical insults about women and to women? They are on record and observed by many others, and experienced by many others. You give me too much credit for this observation.”
2. Dismiss demands for respect and equality as mere “political correctness.”
“Mr. Trump, you seem uncomfortable with big changes in our society. It used to be ‘correct’ to put women (and minorities, and immigrants) down, as inferior and unworthy of equal respect and treatment. Are you saying that your respect for these groups is false, on your part, and that you feel that this is just pressure to pretend that you respect them, when you don’t? Do you think their campaigns for respect are frivolous?”
3. Insist that this complaint is too minor to bother with when there are more important things to worry about.
“Mr. Trump, you’re a CEO and we have to assume that you take the job of managing people seriously. Do you find that bullying, insulting and humiliating individuals improves their performance? Do you subscribe to the management (and political philosophy) that leaders need to win people’s loyalty through respect for them, to build teams and to bring them together? That national leaders need to build national consensus and national identity? Maybe build corporate or national cultures that tolerate and respect diversity?”
4. Say it was just “fun.”
“Mr. Trump, have you ever asked the people you are insulting if they think it’s funny? Do you think making fun of certain groups is a way to bond with others? Do you only work with people who all agree on what groups are okay when it comes to this kind of fun? Do you need personal attacks and mockery of women to have fun?”
5. Pretend the complaint is really just about personal animosity.
“Mr. Trump, I am honored that you think that your feelings about me personally are important in this discussion. I feel I am presenting a question many other people have. It’s really not about me. It’s about you. How about speaking to the complaint and answering the question?”
See Amanda Taub’s article, Aug 7, 2015: http://www.vox.com/2015/8/7/9114943/donald-trump-sexism-debate.
The strategies of sexists (per Taub), with my examples of how to respond:
1. Claim that the complaint is an exaggeration in order to imply that the complainant can’t be trusted.
“Mr. Trump, your personal mockery of Rosie O’Donnell does not answer the question. It might be a fun comment in a reality show (The Apprentice?) where bullying and name-calling are a form of entertainment. She’s a comedian, and you are bidding for the part of leader of the free world. How do you explain your frequent categorical insults about women and to women? They are on record and observed by many others, and experienced by many others. You give me too much credit for this observation.”
2. Dismiss demands for respect and equality as mere “political correctness.”
“Mr. Trump, you seem uncomfortable with big changes in our society. It used to be ‘correct’ to put women (and minorities, and immigrants) down, as inferior and unworthy of equal respect and treatment. Are you saying that your respect for these groups is false, on your part, and that you feel that this is just pressure to pretend that you respect them, when you don’t? Do you think their campaigns for respect are frivolous?”
3. Insist that this complaint is too minor to bother with when there are more important things to worry about.
“Mr. Trump, you’re a CEO and we have to assume that you take the job of managing people seriously. Do you find that bullying, insulting and humiliating individuals improves their performance? Do you subscribe to the management (and political philosophy) that leaders need to win people’s loyalty through respect for them, to build teams and to bring them together? That national leaders need to build national consensus and national identity? Maybe build corporate or national cultures that tolerate and respect diversity?”
4. Say it was just “fun.”
“Mr. Trump, have you ever asked the people you are insulting if they think it’s funny? Do you think making fun of certain groups is a way to bond with others? Do you only work with people who all agree on what groups are okay when it comes to this kind of fun? Do you need personal attacks and mockery of women to have fun?”
5. Pretend the complaint is really just about personal animosity.
“Mr. Trump, I am honored that you think that your feelings about me personally are important in this discussion. I feel I am presenting a question many other people have. It’s really not about me. It’s about you. How about speaking to the complaint and answering the question?”
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