The National Organization for Women, theoretically dedicated to gender equality, has been conspicuously silent about President Bush’s appointment of Condoleezza Rice as secretary of state–surely a sign that gender equality is becoming a reality. But no congratulations to Bush from NOW–because Rice isn’t the NOW gals’ kind of gal.
So reader B.Z. forwards us a copy of the letter she sent to NOW:
“Perhaps you haven’t heard. An American woman (who also happens to be black) has been nominated for secretary of state. Dr. Condoleezza Rice will become the highest ranking African American woman in this country’s history. She is fourth in line to the presidency of the United States. Maybe you haven’t heard–there is nothing on your website about this momentous event.
“Perhaps you missed the incredibly racist cartoons, one run by none other than the New York Times. Danziger, Oliphant and Trudeau–these disgusting, insane cartoons can be seen here. Perhaps you missed radio personalities calling the highest ranking black female in America ‘Aunt Jemima’ and ‘Uncle Tom.’ Perhaps you missed that paragon of womanhood Helen Thomas calling Dr. Rice ‘a monster.’ But I don’t think you missed it. I think you are ignoring it because you don’t like who Dr. Rice is.
“The prominent linkage on your website to the absolutely silly thetruthaboutgeorge.com and the all important NOW Commemorates Transgender Day of Remembrance on Nov. 20 apparently trump coverage of the racist slanders leveled against Dr. Rice. There obviously just is not enough room on the web page to cover something as trivial as Dr. Rice’s ascent and the vicious attacks against her.
“You are anachronistic hypocrites, you are traitors to your own so-called cause. Funny, The Independent Women’s Forum didn’t miss it – here are the comments of their senior VP: ‘The depiction of Dr. Condoleezza Rice by Jeff Danziger, Pat Oliphant and Garry Trudeau as an ebonics speaking, big-lipped, black mammy who just loves her “massa” is a disturbing trend in editorial cartoons,’ said Michelle D. Bernard, senior vice president of the Independent Women’s Forum. ‘These cartoons take the racism of the liberals who profess respect and adoration for black Americans to a new level. It is revolting.’
“The National Organization for Women can now join the ranks of the revolting. How dare you ignore this! You are irrelevant, you are phonies, you should be ashamed.”
We couldn’t have said it better ourselves, B.Z. But we’re not holding our breaths waiting for high fives for Condi on the NOW website. (To catch up on previous Condi-mail to us, click here and here–and click here for the IWF’s condemnation of the minstrel show of media racism surrounding the Rice appointment.)
Update: The radio host who called Condi “Aunt Jemima“–John “Sly” Sylvester of Madison, Wisc.–has just apologized for the slur–although not for also referring to Dr. Rice as Bush’s “black trophy.”