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Comment RSS Hardball: Homophobic Stereotypes from Chris Matthews and Tom DeLay
Updated: On tonight's edition of Hardball, Tom DeLay does a segment that begins with a discussion of his appearance on "Dancing With the Stars." DeLay holds up one of the dancing shoes that he is required to wear on the show. It has a one inch heal. Smirking with feigned femininity, DeLay complains that "No Texan should wear shoes like these." Matthews laughs and says "are you feeling light in those shoes."
These few minutes of obvious insecurity perpetuate stereotypes of gay men. Ironically, this followed closely (and was followed with) a discussion of Barney Frank correctly obliterates the mindless rant of a Tea Bagger.
I will try to post a clip later on this evening which will more accurately frame the issue.
Update: I reviewed the video (below the fold) and find it more offensiive than when I originally posted this yesterday. Draw yout own conclusions.
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I totally agree with Katie! I couldn't have said it better myself. I also partake in the blank stare down. It is very effective and it reduces the offending bigot to a pile of mush. And I also agree with Anonymous, after seeing Tom Delay dance, you would think he is anything but masculine. His mannerisms certainly are not very macho Texan. Worse than any of that, I say shame on ABC for selecting this criminal as a contestant. They are only condoning his actions. Another scumbag politician. It has become a cliche...and a tired one at that.
Why, oh why, don't people have the presence of mind, and the courage, to stand up to vermin like DeLay and respond appropriately? Why don't they say, every single damn time, "I don't understand what you're saying," and force the moron to explain what they're implying.
When someone says something stupid like this to me, I usually stare blankly at the person, as if I really don't get it. It makes them very uncomfortable, and they always have trouble trying to explain themselves. I find it's much more effective than showing visible anger. Plus, it can be quite entertaining to watch as someone who, seconds earlier, casually dropped an offensive stereotype or slur and is now forced to explain exactly how it was funny and relevant, and why they thought I needed to hear it.
My daughter and I, and her friends, do the same when someone remarks that something "is so gay." We say, "it's homosexual?" and look at them as if we're completely confused. This confuses them, and it always, always, takes several minutes for them to figure out a response. It's always interesting to listen to someone try to explain, for example, why they just called a table gay.
David, you're right to be offended. It is offensive, and must be called out every time. That's why I've taken to calling people on it in what I guess is a passive-aggressive way. The alternative was plain aggressive, and it just made them mad, and me madder.
Chris Matthews is an idiot. I haven't been able to watch his show for years; every so often I'm reminded why. I only watch Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow on MSNBC; I can't bear the others.
I'm sorry to rant. I get pretty worked up when I see something like this being perfefctly acceptable on TV. It's not even DeLay. When DeLay opens his mouth, I have learned to expect dog poo to pop out, and the man does not disappoint. I'm more angry that Matthews played along.
I'll call and write MSNBC, but I don't expect it to do much good.
Oh my dear, that Thomasina DeLay sure is all girl! I mean, she REALLY enjoys her shoes!
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