Sexism in Politics
State Sen. Marian Bergeson (R-Newport Beach) has come down hard in the print media on sexism in politics. Rightly so. I’ve never found myself agreeing with Sen. Bergeson on any matter, but I agree with this fine lady on this one.
This sexism in politics (picking a female political candidate for sex alone to “balance the ticket”) serves no one. Not women, not candidates, not a political party, and not society.
I go further than Sen. Bergeson. This tawdry political practice is unabashedly a calloused attempt to quell women’s whimpers decrying (as they rightfully do) society’s neglect of opportunities for women in occupations traditionally reserved for men.
I suppose I’m guilty of sexism in reverse. In 12 years of diplomatic service, I never saw any male equal to two women I met there. One was my supervisor. The other shouted for a falsely accused male colleague when men ran for cover. I must confess, Ill take women anytime.
TOM ALEXANDER
Laguna Beach
Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter
Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond. In your inbox three times per week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
