Leslie Knope
I don’t know what the University Career Center is going to do with me when I tell them I want to be Leslie Knope when I graduate.
My fantasy isn’t caused by Knope’s unhuman productivity on four hours of sleep when I need 5 gallons of caffeine inserted directly into my veins before I can function, or because she can eat three meals of waffles with whipped cream a day and remain perfectly healthy.
No, although those are completely admirable qualities, Knope is my spirit animal because she’s a feminist badass. Oh, and because she’s Amy Poehler.
Last week’s episode of Parks and Recreation had me yelling “YAAAASSS” at my TV every five minutes as it perfectly took on the double standard successful women, specifically politicians, face when they’re in the spotlight.
“Are you trying to have it all, [Leslie]?”
“That question makes no sense. It’s a stupid question. Stop asking it. Don’t ask it.”
*SPOILER ALERT from this point on*
If you’ve never seen it, go watch the show; it’s on Netflix. Just give it a couple episodes; season one starts a little slow.
Parks and Rec often tackles sexism, a lot of the time in a political context, and last week the writers went all-in. Maybe it’s because this is the show’s final season and they really wanted the messages they’ve been conveying over seven seasons to hit home.
The episode, “Pie-mary,” revolves around the beginning of the congressional campaign for Knope’s husband, Ben Wyatt, played by Adam Scott.
The episode’s controversy arises when Leslie chooses not to enter a traditional pie-baking contest among the congressional candidate’s wives because, in her words, “The last contest winner was June Hartwell’s buttermilk meringue. The last contest loser was … all women.”
Preach, sister.
The campaign’s focus then shifts from Ben’s political agenda to whether or not Leslie loves her family.
As one reporter puts it, “Leslie, you’ve made it pretty clear that you don’t think homemaking is important. Do you ever cook for your children, and who’s even watching your children right now while you’re out God only knows where?” as he stands three feet from her.
This is obviously absurdist comedy, but if you look at media critiques of actual female politicians throughout the years, it’s sadly not far off from the real-world portrayals.
Sexism has historically been used by the opposition in political campaigns. Female politicians not only have to answer questions about their political agendas but also about their wardrobe, hairstyles, parenting skills, etc.
These diversions are used to sexualize candidates and weaken their campaigns. The public is constantly reminded of the politician’s gender.
“Yeah, she’s running for office, but remember, she’s just a girl.”
Politicians use this tactic because it works. Our society plays into the game. Our discussions focus on how successful they are as women, not how successful their policies are. Are they attractive enough? Are they too attractive? Are they likable, bitchy, bossy, flaky? This also goes for the wives of male politicians.
Women are used as a status symbol for a man’s credibility. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard debates between people concerning their favorite NFL quarterbacks that end in: “Yeah, well, so-and-so’s wife is hotter.”
The same goes for politicians.
Hate to break it to you, but the attractiveness of someone’s spouse has nothing to do with their credibility — or their spouse’s credibility, for that matter.
Whether Hillary Clinton decides to run in 2016 is yet to be determined. I don’t know how I’ll vote, but I hope when voters go out to the polls for any election, they aren’t swayed by sexist tactics and they choose to focus on real issues.
The ending of last week’s Parks and Rec said it all. At a news conference, Poehler’s character gave the speech I’d love to hear from an actual politician. Leslie’s closing remarks hits the nail right on its double-standard head.
“If you want to bake a pie, that’s great. If you want to have a career, that’s great too. Do both or neither. It doesn’t matter. Just don’t judge what someone else has decided to do. We’re all just trying to find the right path for us as individuals on this earth.”
