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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsYou've Got to Watch Lisa Kudrow's Epic Speech About Sexism in Politics from 'Scandal'
In addition to the usual red wine-drinking and pantsuit-wearing on last night's Scandal, Lisa Kudrow delivered a scathing take-down of sexism in modern politics and the semantics with which men subtly put female politicians down. Sure, Kudrow's playing a fictional congresswoman running for president, but the points she's making are the real deal.
"I know what prejudice looks like," Kudrow's character, Congresswoman Josie Marcus tells interviewer James Novak. "It's not about experience, James. It's about gender. Reston's saying I don't have the balls to be President, and he means that literally. It's offensive. It's offensive to me, and to all the women whose votes he's asking for."
In the episode, Marcus had just seen an attack ad from her opponent Sam Reston. The ad shows a woman's trembling hand reaching for a doorknob as the voiceover says, "On the other side of this door sit the leaders of Syria, China, and Iran. On the other side of this door is America's future -- success and failure, life and death. Does America really want an inexperienced hand opening this door?" The ad doesn't say it outright, but it's saying that a woman isn't confident enough to lead the country. Fresh off seeing the ad, Marcus is fired up and delivers this scathing speech about sexism. (It should be noted that later in the episode it was revealed that the ad was a fake cooked up by Kerry Washington's Olivia Pope to motivate Marcus.)
It's not just Gov. Reston speaking in code about gender, it's everyone, yourself included. The only reason we're doing this interview in my house is because you requested it. This was your idea and here you are, thanking me for inviting you into my "lovely home." That's what you say to the neighbor lady who baked you chocolate chip cookies. This pitcher of iced tea isn't even mine, it's what your producers set here. Why? Same reason you called me a "real life Cinderella story." It reminds people that I'm a woman without using the word. For you it's an angle, I get that, and I'm sure you think it's innocuous, but guess what, it's not.
"I know what prejudice looks like," Kudrow's character, Congresswoman Josie Marcus tells interviewer James Novak. "It's not about experience, James. It's about gender. Reston's saying I don't have the balls to be President, and he means that literally. It's offensive. It's offensive to me, and to all the women whose votes he's asking for."
In the episode, Marcus had just seen an attack ad from her opponent Sam Reston. The ad shows a woman's trembling hand reaching for a doorknob as the voiceover says, "On the other side of this door sit the leaders of Syria, China, and Iran. On the other side of this door is America's future -- success and failure, life and death. Does America really want an inexperienced hand opening this door?" The ad doesn't say it outright, but it's saying that a woman isn't confident enough to lead the country. Fresh off seeing the ad, Marcus is fired up and delivers this scathing speech about sexism. (It should be noted that later in the episode it was revealed that the ad was a fake cooked up by Kerry Washington's Olivia Pope to motivate Marcus.)
It's not just Gov. Reston speaking in code about gender, it's everyone, yourself included. The only reason we're doing this interview in my house is because you requested it. This was your idea and here you are, thanking me for inviting you into my "lovely home." That's what you say to the neighbor lady who baked you chocolate chip cookies. This pitcher of iced tea isn't even mine, it's what your producers set here. Why? Same reason you called me a "real life Cinderella story." It reminds people that I'm a woman without using the word. For you it's an angle, I get that, and I'm sure you think it's innocuous, but guess what, it's not.
http://www.celebuzz.com/2013-11-08/youve-got-to-watch-lisa-kudrows-epic-speech-about-sexism-in-politics-from-scandal/
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You've Got to Watch Lisa Kudrow's Epic Speech About Sexism in Politics from 'Scandal' (Original Post)
ismnotwasm
Nov 2013
OP
Heather MC
(8,084 posts)1. I caught that Speech. She nailed. I wonder if Kudrow is losely based off
of Wendy Davis.
Her Character is from Texas, lived in a trailer court, and rose to power because she spoke out about an injustice.
ismnotwasm
(41,921 posts)2. There's even a physical similarity
I thought the same thing
William769
(55,124 posts)3. I love that show!
And that was a great episode.
ismnotwasm
(41,921 posts)5. I've never watched it
Until now
William769
(55,124 posts)6. If you have netflix you can catch season one.
I was hooked from the first episode.
ismnotwasm
(41,921 posts)9. I do and I think I'll start tonight
After work. It looks fun
Agschmid
(28,749 posts)10. It's really good.
This season has been a bit crazy but I'd recommend it.
Dawson Leery
(19,348 posts)4. kick
Solly Mack
(90,740 posts)7. Saw it. It was wonderful.
ismnotwasm
(41,921 posts)8. Sure is
applegrove
(118,026 posts)11. I saw that. It was wonderful.