Is using the name "Hillary" sexist?

[zulchzulu]

What's your opinion...should we refer to her as "Hillary" or Mrs. Clinton...

[Fenris]

1. Is using Obama racist?

:shrug:

[etherealtruth]

9. It's his last name ...

Which is how the candidates are usually identified.

However, in the case of Hillary Clinton she seems to embrace and promote the use of "Hillary" as her identifier ... so in her case ... I guess not???

[Fenris]

25. I was merely pointing out how absurd this thread's premise is.

Like you said, she's clearly embraced the use of her first name. If you mention "Hillary" around anyone they know exactly who you're talking about. Name recognition.

[zulchzulu]

33. In a sense, it was a trick question...

I remember fairly recently when people were calling others "sexist" by calling Mrs. Clinton "Hillary"...when in fact, her web site and marketing tools have "Hillary For President".

I just wanted to see who would take the bait. It's not flamebait, just yunno...bait.

[Catherine Vincent]

42. I agree.

When you hear the name "Hillary"...you think of Hillary Clinton. She owns that name internationally.

[Larry in KC]

19. No, but to call him "Osama" is.

[Katherine Brengle]

43. Obama is his last name, not his first. I think "Hillary" depends strongly on context, so I voted

"Other."

[More Than A Feeling]

2. She's been using Hillary herself

Her donors are called "Hillraisers", just to give you one example. If that is how she wants to be known (and she has given no indication to the contrary), then we ought to respect that, regardless of how we feel about it.

[applegrove]

41. Bingo!

[FormerDittoHead]

64. The official, final, nail in this coffin. "Join Team Hillary"

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/

The top banner from her own freakin' website:


"This weekend, Hillary continues the conversation in the Granite State."
"Video: Hillary traveled to Iowa to continue the conversation."
"Send Hillary a Message of Support"

[saltpoint]

3. I try to refer to her as Senator Clinton. Her campaign uses "Hillary"

a lot, so I'm not sure where she herself stands on this, but even the political talking heads will call her "Hillary," where they don't call Senator Dodd "Chris."

[zulchzulu]

35. Good idea! That's what Dodd needs!

Howdy Crusoe!

Dodd needs to pump up his campaign with more usage of "Chris". I like Dodd, but he's not on the radar. He needs "rebranding".

[saltpoint]

37. LOL! zulchzulu, you are a gas. Well, sure. Let's send the idea

to CHRIS via email.

Just what that campaign needs for a little pick-me-up.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

4. her senate campaign used "Hillary"

what is wrong with us using it? Perhaps it is the fact that we usually include in the following sentence

"I cannot support ______ given her preference to polling an issue before coming out with a stance, and because ______ voted for the war."

[Pirate Smile]

5. Doesn't all of her campaign stuff just say "Hillary"? It seems like that

is what she goes by - kind of like Rudy is thrown around now without including his last name.

I don't think it is sexist. It has more to do with how familiar the public is with her.

[slj0101]

6. Um. No.

[aquart]

7. No, we use it to instantly clarify which Clinton we mean.

We could say Senator Clinton, but that's cold with a lotta syllables.

We called Bill Clinton just Bill a lot, but since Bill is a common name, mostly it was Clinton or Big Dog.

Nicknames are a sign of love from friends...something else from enemies. When we find a nickname for Hillary, she'll be in.

But we don't begin to be there yet. If ever.

[Strawman]

8. I think she perfers it

Don't her campaign posters say "Hillary?" Or am I remembering that wrong?

I think it's a probably a deliberate rhetorical strategy to be referred to by her first name. Sorta like how Bill Clinton used town hall meetings to create a sense of familiarity, identification, connection and intimacy with the voters. "Hillary" accomplishes that more than "Mrs. Clinton."

It's a fair question. It's similar to one that is often raised here in Detroit when people (especially whites) refer to the mayor of Detroit as "Kwame" rather than Mayor Kilpatrick.

[TwilightZone]

10. My sister has a Clinton t-shirt from '92, signed by Bill. It says "Vote for Hillary's husband."

So, obviously, neither Bill nor Hillary seemed to have any problem with her being referenced by her first name then, so I doubt she'd mind now.

[Guaranteed]

11. No, but it is quite often used in a derogatory manner in referring

to her, personally.

P.S. I make a point of calling her "Senator Clinton," even when I'm cursing at her here on DU.

[PresidentObama]

12. No not at all. Quite laughable to think it is.

Most people when they hear Clinton, they think of Bill because he's the former President. So I usually say Hillary, or Hillary Clinton, so people realize whom exactly I'm talking about. Nothing sexist about it. I call Kerry, John. And Obama, Barack. Do I hate Northeasterns and blacks? Not at all, it's just there first names.

[Captain Hilts]

22. No, it's not "laughable." It's a good question about the way we refer to women.

Laugh about something else.

[TwilightZone]

24. It's not just women. "Be Like Mike", anyone? Tiger?

The use of a public figure's first name only is most certainly not limited to women.

[Captain Hilts]

27. We expect informality in sports. nt

[TwilightZone]

29. Ok, how about Jackie? Was is sexist to refer to her by her first name?

This is silly.

[Captain Hilts]

31. No, it wasn't. But in the workplace women were often referred to by first names...

while men were addressed more formally.

It's been a problem, but not here, and that's what most people seem to think.

[question everything]

40. And how many talk about Secretary Rice?

it is always Condi..

[PresidentObama]

61. It is laughable because it's not sexist. IT'S HER NAME n/t

[PresidentObama]

13. No not at all. Quite laughable to think it is.

Most people when they hear Clinton, they think of Bill because he's the former President. So I usually say Hillary, or Hillary Clinton, so people realize whom exactly I'm talking about. Nothing sexist about it. I call Kerry, John. And Obama, Barack. Do I hate Northeasterns and blacks? Not at all, it's just there first names.

[RufusTFirefly]

14. It might be, but it's not

It might be, but it's not for a number of reasons, some of which have already been stated.

It differentiates her from Bill Clinton.

It's better than Mrs. Clinton, which, when you really think about it, is actually more sexist.

Her campaign has apparently chosen it as a preferred means of identifying her.

There's a tendency among many politicians to think that using your first name makes you seem less elitist. Look how wonderfully it worked for "Joe." (I'm still velocitizing from all that residual Joe-mentum.)

The tendency to address men by their last name and women by their first is often a sign of sexism that many people overlook. But IMHO this isn't one of those cases.

[wholetruth]

15. I prefer to call her Hillary the Hawk...

just because its true

[rhombus]

47. you made me laugh. thanks

Hillary the Hawk ---- fits her to a T.

[BluePatriot]

16. I think it's just to...

differentiate from Pres. Clinton so it's sort of a special case. Even her campaign signs in Iowa said "Hillary."

[rinsd]

17. Sometimes its sexist. I would say most times on DU it isn't.

On occasion there will be a post on DU that seems intent on using Hillary to debase her but I see it far more often in the MSM where they seem to refuse to use her title of Senator at times.

[NV1962]

18. Are accusing Hillary of being sexist herself, or what?

I mean, just look at the masthead of her own website:

[Captain Hilts]

20. We call "First Ladies" by their first names to differentiate them from their husbands.

It goes back to "Eleanor."

Kind of out of date? Yes. Sexist? Kind of, but not really.

[RaleighNCDUer]

21. Is calling Hillary "Mrs Clinton" sexist?

Using the name "Hillary" she defines herself as herself. Using the name "Mrs Clinton" she defines herself through her husband. Should she be marketed as "Mrs", connecting her with her husband?

Hillary, or Senator Clinton, if you please.

[HockeyMom]

23. Rudy

Most people refer to him by his first name. Fairly unusual first name and high profile person. John Who? Mary Who?

No, I don't think iit is sexist to call her by her first name.

[Captain Hilts]

30. More NYers are referred to by first names because it fits in a tabloid headline.

Like Prez
Liz - for QEII
etc.

[BoneDaddy]

26. oh Christ

Is the use of "dumbass" redundant?

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

34. That's "Mr. Christ" to you, buddy!

:rofl:

[BoneDaddy]

55. Sorry my bad...thats Mr. Oh Christ

the shit some folks come up with...Let's find victimhood in what we call "Hillary"...

[Captain Hilts]

48. Are you referring to yourself? I'm not refering to "Christ."

Or do you just like pissing in other people's threads?

[BoneDaddy]

54. I am pissing in other peoples threads

especially when they are totally vapid and unimaginative. Are you the self proclaimed protector or just looking for a fight? :)

[LeftishBrit]

28. No, not unless she was the only politician referred to by her first name

Her husband is often "Bill"; Bush is "George" or "Dubya"; Reagan was "Ronnie"; Blair is "Tony", etc.

[Ediacara]

32. Her own yard signs say "Hillary"

So... I'd say, in this case, no.

[noonwitch]

36. It is in some contexts (real example inside)

When FOX news (or anyone else in the media) refers to Senator McClain and Hillary Clinton in the same sentence (as candidates), it is sexist because they are crediting his status but not hers.

[pampango]

38. Now if the Repubs call her "Hillary" that is a different matter.

[Katherine Brengle]

44. I actually agree with that -

she's using it in her campaign, so I think it's okay for Dems/supporters, but for detractors I see it as a sign of disrespect.

[question everything]

39. Yes. I remember when she was still at the White House

I was at clearly conservative presentation when one of the speaker - a woman herself - referred to her as "Hillary." I was new and did not know anyone, so under my breath I said: "Mrs. Clinton, to you."

And for those who are not sure - this has been one of Limpback's inflammatory words.

"Hillary!" "Feminazi!" Words that convey exactly what he, and his dittoheads think. No further explanation is necessary.

[PresidentObama]

45. Gasp, they called her by her name?

I'm sorry, but is this a joke?

Liberals call her Hillary too because it's easier to tell which Clinton people are talking about. If they said "Clinton" it'd cause confusion. If you don't like Hillary, call her Senator Clinton.

:eyes: Sexist my ass.

[fuzzyball]

46. Yes, and from now on I will refer to her as HR C

Thank you for jogging my thought process.

[DemBones DemBones]

49. Only if she's the only candidate you refer to by first name.

And perhaps if you only refer to her by first name, never as Hillary Clinton or Senator Clinton or just Clinton.

I call several candidates by either their first or last names, usually depending on which is shorter, or just for variety.

[Sparkly]

50. I think it depends on who's speaking or writing...

I used to cringe at "Hillary" ALL the time, but I guess she doesn't mind it on her campaign signs, etc., and I get the part about "Clinton" being confusing in some circumstances.

BUT... In formal settings, some media discussions, etc., "Senator Clinton" seems more appropriate. I'm not sure where that line is; I guess it has a lot to do with how they're speaking about others.

(So I voted "other.")

[Cocoa]

51. I regularly call Kucinich "Dennis"

I wonder why that is.

[fujiyama]

52. Was it sexist to call Bush "GW" or "Bush Jr"?

It's just weird having a candidate with the same last name as one less than a decade ago.

I think by some on the right it's used mockingly, but I know I use it just to identify her in particular as opposed to Bill Clinton. Granted, only an idiot would be confused which of them is running, but it looks like she's using "Hillary", maybe to appear as though she's not trying to ride on Bill's success.

[venable]

53. it only has to do with the fact that there is already a Clinton

like the fact that bush jr is called w

[ripple]

56. No, but perhaps we should start referring to her as Hillary Rodham

Why continue with the patriarchal thing, as long as we're being politically correct?

Oh! That's right- because her husband's name will help her win votes.

Truly, though, rather than referring to her by her husband's name, wouldn't it actually be more respectful to her personally to call her Hillary, or Hillary Rodham? To me, shortening her title is probably most often a sign of affinity, rather than a sign of disrespect.

I say we call Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton whatever name she chooses to be called, or any variation that is acceptable to her.

[Catchawave]

57. Not sexist at all....

She uses Hillary on all her campaign signs also. Heaven forbid we mistake Clinton for Bill, eh?

Love this lady, stay in the Senate dammit. You too Obama. :grouphug:

[Clarkie1]

58. Hillary just distinguishes her from Bill. nt

[Kablooie]

59. He climbed Everest. Why would that be sexist?

[northernsoul]

60. "I like Ike"

I don't think President Eisenhower found the use of a diminutive form of his name to be demeaning. I think that more male politicians would've been known by their first names if they had more distinct first names. Let's face it, there's an awful lot of Johns, Bills, and Georges out there.

[Alexander]

62. No. It distinguishes her from her well-known husband.

If her husband wasn't formerly POTUS, and a very important figure, then you'd have a case for calling it sexism.

But just as many of us Dems call him "Bill", we call her "Hillary".

Is using "Liddy" and "Bob" sexist, to distinguish current Senator Dole from former Senator Dole?

[choie]

63. Not necessarily.. When I see "Clinton" in headlines ...

I think of Bill. The guy was President for eight years, after all, and has remained a very popular figure (particularly after his book was published). So to me, the name "Clinton" means "Bill Clinton," and I suspect most others feel the same way.

And that's despite the fact that Hillary is one of my Senators. (Maybe I'm still in willful denial about that, heh.) :)

All this said, I agree there's a disparity in how we refer to many women. Compare how often we use "Nancy" and "Condoleeza" as opposed to "Harry" or "Colin." I don't doubt there's often sexism related to this nomenclature -- it does tend to infantilize these women by not referring to them by their last names, as we do most statesmen.

But Hillary Clinton is a special case here; her last name evokes her husband, not herself, and thus needs to be distinguished via her first name.

(Finally, I also hear many people refer to "Al" and "Wes" rather than "Gore" and "Clark." So maybe there's also the affection/familiarity factor to add in. And it's usually "Boxer" rather than "Barbara," so perhaps part of the reason is due to how common the first name is!)