Considering Malkin

Amanda Marcotte looks at what makes Michelle Malkin tick.

The standard argument issued by professional anti-feminists is, “There’s no such thing as sexism anymore. Not really. A couple of slurs here and there, but what really matters is that women don’t have any pressures or obstacles on them anymore.” The irony in this is that their very existence proves otherwise. Conservative women who seek roles as leaders or pundits are largely stuck in the anti-feminist ghetto. Even though female columnists at Townhall are allowed to write about other things besides the evils of feminism, it seems they’ve got a 33% minimum requirement of feminist-bashing in order to talk about other things. I often think Phyllis Schlafly would have been happier peddling her strange brand of economic theory, but telling other women to step off and get into the kitchen was her meal ticket to even being allowed to have columns, radio shows, and organizational leadership.

To be fair, there’s not a whole lot of reasons outside of professional pride to get out of the ghetto. Anti-feminism often makes feminist writers grind our teeth in jealousy as we sit around in our used clothes and cheap shoes. You don’t have to be a clever writer, or smart, or anything really. If you have a pussy and are willing to argue that misogyny is the hip new thing girls are doing these days, then prepare to start writing yourself some checks. At this point, I’m required by law to quote this screamingly funny post by Dahlia Lithwick, who is almost enough reason for me to start reading The XX Factor:

[T]he Five Universal Commandments of Writing About Women:

1. It’s not sexism if it’s women trashing women.

2. Writing by women about women need not be held to the same critical or analytical standards as writing by men because—I suppose—we really are as stupid as Allen suggests.

3. No need for originality in pieces by women about women. Oprah, Celine, and Grey’s Anatomy never get old. Good times.

4. When all else fails, say the piece was meant to be funny. Then you can say that anyone who didn’t like it has no sense of humor.

5. Laugh all the way to the bank.

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