Kamala Harris Handshake Snub Is Latest Political Misogynoir

Supply: U.S. Senator Deb Fischer

Right here’s the factor: The anti-woke crowd goes to say that “the left” is making a mountain out of a molehill in relation to the problem of a newly sworn-in Republican’s husband refusing to shake Kamala Harris’ hand. They’ll ask, “What’s the large deal.” It’s only a handshake, in spite of everything.

Nicely, it’s not solely a handshake.

When Bruce Fisher, husband of Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer, confirmed his outright contempt for Harris (severely, Trump already gained — what are these folks nonetheless so salty about?) by refusing to shake her hand, he was perpetuating what has turn into a shift in what’s thought-about acceptable political {and professional} decorum — a shift that took place amid the emergence of outstanding Black girls in U.S. politics.

There was a time when there have been solely white males on the planet of politics, and positively solely white males who have been in competition to turn into president of the US. Mudslinging nonetheless existed throughout that point. Politicians nonetheless beat one another up within the press, however there have been strains you couldn’t cross. There have been requirements of decency and professionalism you have been anticipated to stick to. There was language you couldn’t use, gestures you couldn’t make and formalities you have been anticipated to take part in.

Throughout these occasions, particularly throughout a proper ceremony, a white man who was a relative of an elected official would by no means refuse to shake the hand of a fellow white man who grew to become the Democratic presidential nominee after serving as a vice chairman, U.S. senator, state lawyer common and district lawyer. Hell, whereas we’re on the topic, a white man with a resume that in depth would by no means be topic to his personal colleagues diminishing his accomplishments by calling him a “DEI rent” (though, on this case, he can be a “white supremacy rent“) or making absurd claims that he “slept his approach to the highest.” It wouldn’t be correct. It wouldn’t be respectable. It will be juvenile and unbecoming of public figures.

However Kamala Harris is a Black girl, so, instantly, it’s all truthful recreation. And she or he’s not the one Black girl who’s compelled to grapple with the brand new customary of acceptable and commonplace misogynoir.

Only a few days after Donald Trump was elected president for the second time, Trump lawyer Mike Davis made and look on The Benny Present, with conservative YouTuber Benny Johnson, the place he leveled threats at New York Legal professional Basic Letitia James, who gained a civil fraud case towards Trump and prime Trump group executives in March.

“Let me simply say this to Large Tish James, the New York Legal professional Basic, I dare you to attempt to proceed your lawfare towards President Trump in his second time period,” Davis stated. “Pay attention right here, sweetheart, we’re not messing round this time, and we’ll put your fats a** in jail for conspiracy towards rights. I promise you.”

Right here’s what I wrote about that beforehand:

First off, I don’t know the place Davis will get off calling James a “fats a**” as if his shopper isn’t seemingly over-pressuring the wheels on his favourite golfcart proper now. Everyone knows Trump thinks he’s a 215-pound 35-year-old in a 78-year-old physique, however, actually, he’s a 78-year-old toddler who’s in all probability nearer to 10 kilos for every one in every of his felonies — so, possibly Davis ought to STFU a few Black girl’s physique.

However, extra to the purpose, look the place we’re already.

A decade in the past, folks would have been outraged if, simply after the election, an lawyer for the president- elect used crude, profane, and childishly insulting language whereas addressing a state lawyer common. James may by no means have gotten away with occurring a televised program and calling Trump a “fats a**” whether or not Trump was set to turn into president or not. However Trump and his individuals are Trump and his folks and James is a Black girl so the principles have modified.

The principles have certainly modified. From Harris to James to the scrutiny, body-shaming, sexist and racist assaults, and prying into her personal life that Fulton County District Legal professional Fani Willis has endured. From Rep. Jasmine Crockett being referred to as “ghetto” by MAGA supporters for standing as much as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene‘s thinly veiled racism to right-wing commentator Laura Loomer being embraced by Trump and his marketing campaign even after she referred to Harris, James and Willis as “meritless DEI Shaniquas,” which she did after she referred to as Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) a “ghetto b*tch” shortly after Lee died of pancreatic most cancers.

Yep, the usual of decorum has modified. Harris’ declined handshake is simply the most recent symptom of the MAGA illness.