Yes Sarah Palin, Do Blow Kisses At Work
Nataly over at Work it Mom, wrote a blog post talking about how she finds it unprofessional that Governor Palin is blowing kisses while working. While I initially agreed that one must act what the society defines as “professional,” I got to thinking.
Perhaps, Palin’s approach to politics is the way to go. Perhaps doing that will get more people involved and active in this arena mainly dominated by so called “professional” men.
Perhaps it is not such a bad idea to use words like, “you bechya, good guys/bad guys,” or blow kisses and wink. I mean who said you have to be stern and stiff and speak professionally. Who made these rules? Us, people. Right? So perhaps it is time to change the rules and be real.
Take for example, Rachael Ray. When she was cooking on Food TV, she was criticized for using words, like “Yummo,” and not even knowing how to properly slice an onion.
However, some years later, she becomes famous for her approach. Today, many of the shows on Food TV, feature chefs that take a casual approach to cooking. This way, those of us who are not professionals do not fear cooking. As a result cooking has become accessible to everyone.
I know, I know, I can hear you screaming at your screens, how can I compare cooking shows to politics?
But the idea is the same, don’t you think?
After Palin told the world how she became governor, Yahoo, Shine featured a blog talking about how working moms can use politics to get back into the work force.
When I was in college in the early 2000, some groups tried so hard to get students involved in the elections. Most of the students simply ignored them.
This year for the first time, when a black man and women were involved, people of all ages started to pay attention.
I strongly believe that this year’s election is a start of something new. Politics is not just for white men anymore. It has become accessible to everyone, especially working moms. And no it’s does not have to be all stern and stiff. It can be casual. Aren’t we all just people?
Are you appalled? Or do you agree with me?
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I am not appalled. I am old! OK, seasoned. I assure you that the most successful politicians are the ones who can be both informal and effective at the same time. Ronny Reagan was the epitome of this. I am sure this might have rubbed some people the wrong way at the time, but he was enormously successful and continues to be thought of with fondness by both parties - and not only that, but both parties obviously respect him highly, since so many seem to want to be seen as a “Reagan Democrat” or “Reagan Republican.”
I am fairly sure that no politician has ever been advised to be stiff and staid all the time. More likely they are advised to be “personable” but many are not able to do this. I suspect in Obama’s case, he may be advised slightly differently in order to avoid putting off folks with mildly racist tendencies. Nevertheless, doesn’t always come across as “professional.” I could easily supply a list of examples from my own observation, though I try very hard not to watch the presidential candidates at all. In short, this is just another double standard applied to Palin.
I am not sure whether Nataly would have said the same thing if she were my age and remembered / read more about past campaigns. I feel there is a combination of inexperience and bias at play.