I like to refer to myself as an ‘Old School Feminist’, meaning I subscribe to the feminism of the 1940s. Historically, feminists of this era and the era of the Suffragettes held to the belief that women and men should both have the same opportunities in life – that anything a man could do, a woman could do just as well, if given the same opportunity to thrive.
That may sound like the modern 1960s-era feminism to you, but it differs in one major way: it didn’t attempt to raise women up by beating men down. Rather than just tipping the scales of inequality and malice in the opposite direction, Old School Feminism sought to teach men the error of their ways, encourage them to acknowledge and respect women, and ask for their help to change the system to recognize the equal rights of everyone, regardless of gender, race, or creed. It wasn’t “Dog eat dog”, it wasn’t “me first, you second”, it was about real tolerance.

Read more after the jump!

Feminism and tolerance are the topics of today’s post. Why? Because we’re seeing a real crisis of these two issues in this election. I’m sure you know where I’m going with this:
Sarah Palin.
I want to say straight out, I am NOT defending Palin because I think you should support her, I’m not defending her because I think you should vote for John McCain. I’m defending her because she is a woman, who deserves equal rights, equal consideration, and equal respect. She deserves these even more so because her political opinions may not be the same as yours. After all, isn’t tolerance about respecting the choices of others, especially when they’re different from your own?

What I do want to point out in discussing the treatment of Sarah Palin is the hypocrisy of Obama’s message of ‘Hope’ and ‘Change’. While he is giving speeches about tolerance, hope, love, and change for the better, what are his supporters doing? They’re mocking this woman because she dares to choose differently about how to raise her family, how many children she has with her husband, the way she chooses to live her life, her positions on political issues, and the fact that her daughter has chosen not to abort her unborn child.
Isn’t feminism about protecting the rights of women to choose? Or is feminism about only protecting those rights if a woman makes the choices you want her to?

Furthermore, should feminists be mocking her because she happens to be attractive? Should feminists be chiding her for daring to work outside the home? Should feminists be saying she must not be a good mother because she dares to maintain an ambitious career? Should feminists be mocking her husband for taking a leave of absence from his own job in order to take care of their children so that his wife can succeed?
If Sarah Palin were a Democrat, do you think any of these insults or questions would come up? If Sarah Palin were instead Steve Palin, do you think anyone would be so concerned?

Honestly think about this. Step outside the realm of party politics, step outside what modern Feminism would have you believe, step outside all of this for a minute and truly ask yourself – does Sarah Palin deserve such questions?
I’m all for vetting any candidate. I’m all for finding out where they stand on important issues. I’m all for tough questions. But when it comes to insulting any woman for choosing differently than how you would choose to lead your own life, we are stepping back into the dark days of chauvinism. Only this time, it’s our own gender that’s pushing us all backward in time. It’s women who are making the entire feminist movement look like nothing more than hypocrisy.
The point of feminism is that every women has the same right as a man to choose how they wish to lead their life. Choices should be applauded, no matter how they align with your own opinions. Because it’s the choice that’s important, the right to determine the destiny of your own life. Imposing your choices, your opinions, on others isn’t feminism, it isn’t tolerance, it isn’t hope – it’s the exact opposite. It’s oppression.

The fact remains that Obama himself has asked that his supporters stop with the low-brow attacks on Sarah Palin and her family. But are his supporters listening? Take a look at the videos below for a sampling of just the sort of attacks Obama supporters continue to levy at Sarah Palin and her children. This goes beyond vetting a candidate and steps into precisely the kind of disgusting chauvinism that a century of feminism has sought to overcome.

A Clip From Sandra Bernhardt’s performance where she threatened Sarah Palin with gang rape
Caution: Very Strong Language

Male Obama Supporters Weigh In On Bristol Palin’s Pregnancy
Caution: More Strong Language

“Sarah Palin Can Suck It. Quote Me!”

Salon Article: Why Aren’t Women Furious About Sarah Palin?
An absolutely charming diatribe ordering feminists everywhere to loathe Sarah Palin, because she’s attractive, she’s a Republican, she dares to have five children, and worst of all, she has the unbelievable nerve of having an opinion different from that of the author.

More videos coming soon, including a special reading of some of my favorite feminist rantings. Check back soon!