PLATFORM : Men’s Fight Against Reverse Sexism

Barbara Jordan as keynote speaker for the Democratic National Convention? Then how about Yasser Arafat as cantor for the local synagogue?

Only last Thursday, two men’s organizations with strong California ties--DADS and United Fathers of America--joined seven other national men’s groups that were already part of a rising chorus of objection. The organizations do not want Jordan as a keynote for the convention of a political party long opposed to sexist stereotyping.

Each of those organizations regrets having to take a stance against someone of Jordan’s stature. But her very stature gives her bigoted comments undue credence. There is little alternative when Jordan tells a national audience it is “an observable fact” men are biologically less compassionate than women.

It has been 10 months since Jordan first uttered those remarks to a gathering of women politicians. She has yet to disavow them, which can mean only that she still embraces them. Before Jordan takes any podium again anywhere, she should say, clearly and unequivocally: “My remarks were sexist. I retract them.”