[lbo-talk] Free Martha!

[Michael Dawson -PSU]

> Actually, I do not think it requires any particular feminist insight or
> feminist intent for Martha to suffer sexist double standards.

But that's not the point.  Anti-feminist women are also victims of sexism,
no doubt.  The point is that Doug's friend claims Stewart is somehow a
feminist icon, is somehow challenging gender stereotypes.  I say that's
complete poppycock.  How am I wrong?  How is MS promoting feminist things in
any way, shape, or form?  Sure, she's rich and a boss, but what is the
actual direct message of what she does in print and on TV?  I say the latter
is pretty damned regressive, on both class and gender (hell, it's pretty
damned white, too) issues.  In my book, the latter stuff is the direct
message that impacts her audience, and far outweighs MS's status as an
independent woman.  Most people who like her like her for her sly
endorsement of shopping and social climbing, not because she's George Soros
in a bra (which she isn't).