Copyright 2008, Navigating Diversity
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Tenth most offensive comment of 2008
“Running on a national ticket months after your child was born? Let alone a son who has Downs Syndrome and therefore under the best of circumstances is going to need every last bit of attention. How can one possibly be an involved and nurturing parent while campaigning in such a heated race? ...Running for VP is not much different from putting her child up for adoption for a few months.” - Hanna Ingber Win on Vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin. link
Our Suggested Responses
Thought-provoking: What experience do you have with mothering children with Down syndrome? What do you know about her child raising arrangements with her husband and extended family? Would you ask that question of a man?
Personal: I am a working mother / I know many working mothers who feel exhilarated by both being a mother and contributing in a larger way to society. I don’t even want to think about a world in which women and mothers could not contribute their political talents.
Informative: A 2007 Canadian study showed that when families had to adjust their work schedules because of a child’s special needs, 64 per cent of the time it was the mother who did so. In 25 per cent of cases, both parents adjusted their hours. Eight percent of the changes were made by fathers, and other family members adjusted their paid work in three per cent of cases.
Almost equal amounts of parents worked fewer hours (38%) and just adjusted their work schedules to accommodate their children’s special needs (36%). So while many mothers do find that having a child with special needs affects their work, a supportive extended family network can significantly reduce the impact.
Light: I'm just happy to see a woman on the ticket.
Authoritative: That is an insensitive and sexist statement. I am sure anyone who has risen to lead one of our 50 states has the wherewithal to develop a system to ensure her children’s needs are met.
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How to respond to anti-Obama racism
By Patty Bates-Ballard
While millions of Americans celebrated the election of our nation’s first African-American president on November 4, many others raged, penned racist rants threatening president-elect Obama’s life, and assaulted their neighbors. America, it’s time we find a way to express ourselves more constructively.
Racists coming out of the woodwork
The Southern Poverty Law Center is reporting hundreds of election-related hate incidents over the last two weeks, including cross burnings, noose hangings and hate-filled graffiti, including death threats to Mr. Obama scrawled on the “free speech” wall at North Carolina State University.
