President Barack Obama apologized to California Attorney General Kamala Harris “for the distraction created” when he remarked on her appearance at a San Francisco- area fundraiser. Obama called Harris following his return to Washington and after his remarks generated criticism on social media and from political opponents. “He did not want in any way to diminish the attorney general’s professional accomplishments and her capabilities,” White House press secretary Jay Carney said yesterday. At the last stop of a fundraising swing in California on April 4, Obama singled out Harris at the home of Levi Strauss heir John Goldman, praising her brilliance and dedication. “She also happens to be by far the best-looking attorney general in the country,” the president said, prompting laughter from the crowd. “It’s true, come on.” In his call to Harris, Obama “apologized for creating this distraction,” Carney said, adding that the president “believes very strongly that Attorney General Harris is an excellent attorney general and that she’s done great work, and she’s dedicated and tough and brilliant.”
From my point of view - a woman from central Europe - the Americans are over-sensitive when it comes to discrimination of women and sexism. I'd personally interpret Obama's statement as a compliment or let's say sort of a joke and definitely not as sexism diminishing my capabilities...
ReplyDeleteThis does seem a little over-sensitive, I agree. On the other hand, it's probably good that Obama clarified that he didn't mean that she's JUST good-looking, that he also admires how capably she does her job. It really wasn't that long ago that it was unthinkable that a woman would be the attorney general of a state, or a governor or Senator, or the U.S. Secretary of State (foreign minister), or the chancellor of Germany, etc. etc.
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