The AP stylebook suggests that after the first mention, both men and women are referred to by their last name only, ie: "Biden" or "Palin". But, I think that the problem of equality is not exactly solved that way. There is a certain feeling of disrespect that rises up when hearing a woman referred to by her last name without any title. And, it is not the genuine way most women are referred to in social situations. So, the AP stylebook solution foists upon women a decision that they may not like. And, it also takes away the power of a woman's first name, and the name recognition/directness/warmth/connection a woman has earned in relating to people through her first name, if that is the way she primarily calls herself.
Then, there is the whole difference between a man calling a woman by her first name as opposed to a woman calling a man by his first name. There is some sense in which women of our generation still feel the leftover social requirement to symbolically "lower one's eyes" towards men by being extra respectful. (Am I the only woman who feels this?) And men or authority figures can pull rank on people by becoming too familar, too fast, which can play out in the leftover overtones of patriarchy in our current culture and manners. I felt that man-woman tension was some of the hidden awkwardness in Sarah Palin asking if she had permission to call Senator Biden "Joe," Not sure Tina Fey understood it the same way I did, but Fey sure noticed the moment and the awkwardness of the whole situation.
So, like any woman, and like Everywoman The Politican, I can really laugh at the Tina Fey portrayal of Sarah Palin. And, I can see myself in both women--the real woman and the invented character.
Though, I have even stronger reasons than these to assert that I am Tina Fey as Sarah Palin. My husband and I were browsing a bookstore the other day, and I noticed how quickly someone had put together a book about Sarah Palin's life. I laughed, because one of the photos was Sarah Palin as a student, playing the flute. Flute is my instrument, too, and a part of my identity.
When Tina Fey pulled out her silver flute at the mock Saturday Night Live Vice Presidential Debate, my husband called me over to the screen laughing in hysterics. During the campaign season of 2002, when I tried to win the Green Party of New York State's nomination for Lieutenant Governor, I had to make a speech at a meeting hall far away in Ithaca New York. As a newcomer to politics, with more enthusiasm than experience and speeches in me, I decided to emphasize the joy of politics, freedom of expression, and a different way to campaign. So, to Tina Fey: I did it first. I was the woman politician who really, truly played flute on the political stage.
As part of my speech at the Green Party convention in Ithaca, I played an invented melody on my bamboo flute. And, though I had imagined that my fellow greens would be the perfect audience for this performance, they did not take my joyful and passionate musical strategy as a sign of leadership:I lost the vote.
Though, I did make an impression. And, shortly after, I earned a place on the Executive Committee of the same organization.
So, if Tina Fey's wish comes true, and she does not have to portray Sarah Palin at the podium after November 5th, maybe Sarah Palin's performance at the debate will earn her some kinds of accolades after all.
Kimberly Wilder plays flute.
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