Pimped Out Politics: Is It OK If She Likes It?
September 8, 2008 by Bridget Wright
Filed under Leadership
(Disclaimer: This post is NOT meant to ignite or offend any particular political party or opinion. It is simply meant to shed light on and analogize the correlation between politics, business and women)
Pimp -noun
1. a person, esp. a man, who solicits customers for a prostitute or a brothel, usually in return for a share of the earnings; pander; procurer.
[Image Source: sxc.hu]
Whenever a woman allows herself to be exploited in any manner or for any reason, she is selling out, or rather “pimped out” and her pimp gets a huge chunk of the revenue, giving her a small token. The pimp sees multiple benefits in having this woman do his bidding, finding the highest bidder for his wares (her). He convinces her that she is valuable, but the only way she will excel is if she lets him control guide her towards success.
But is it ok if she likes it?
Pimps have nothing to lose in the pimp-nating(?), but everything to gain. The pimp always fares well, coming out on top, while the pimp-ed does not, come out on, well, not on top. (clearing throat).
I can remember a time during my aspiring professional career when I worked as a manager for a staffing firm. Well, before I became a manager, or rather when I was offered the manager’s position, I was told that they wanted to “shake things up a bit.” They felt like I could do some shaking. They felt like a change was necessary, with a fresh perspective and a fresh focus. You see since I was a woman and a person of color, the national staffing firm felt that the double-dagger-duo-description would look great for the corporation and wonderful in the local community. The change would (potentially) skyrocket sales and attract new clients. I was even asked specifically to go to with the sales manager to visit a client that they had been wooing for a while but couldn’t crack. I was asked to accompany her because I was “Black and could help them get a foot in the door.” What !! Well, I did take the job. I got a “promise” in getting a salary pay raise once the numbers were up (2-4 months), an expense account, my own office, an administrative assistant, flexible hours and a voice in decision-making. I loved it! Although the promise of ‘later money’ made me pause, I shrugged it off, knowing that I could increase sales with my marketing savvy - - or would it be because of my Blackness? Or my womanness?
In the political environment sparked in the last couple of weeks over McCain’s choice for Sarah Palin as his Vice-Presidential running mate, are we seeing a pimp in process? Are there multiple benefits to others besides Palin for her name and presence being on the Republican ticket? Has she been made promises that will materialize later if she just gives it up and says what her pimp party wants to hear? What happens if she doesn’t cooperate? Does she get replaced with another willing vessel? Or, will she stay on, baited with promises and a chance to win the (client) over with her physical description?
Going back for a moment to me being a manager: I took the job with all of the perks and promises, but was disappointed much later and saddened to make several discoveries, although not surprised:
1. Clients did not want to do business with me soley on the “because I’m Black” qualification. They wanted to know about my experience, my sales background, my marketing strategies, my conversion rates. You know, important business factors. Well, I had none significantly to speak of. The only experience that I had prior to taking the job was managing a small client base with about 15 employees.
2. Never wait for a later promise of compensation. If you can do the job without the money, then they can do the job themselves. This screams of pimp-dom because the pimp gets to enjoy benefits of your added-value (increased sales, more voters, etc.) without having to pay for it.
3. You get what you pay for and you pay for what you get. Bottom line. If you invest quality, you reap quality. As a staffing manager, I was only able to offer my charm and charisma. Apparently that was not enough as I failed to deliver everything that I had promised in my executive management plan. I reaaaallly wanted to show them what I could do, but it just wasn’t there. I simply was not ready.
4. If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, why would you think it’s a cat? If it seems shady, it most likely is shady and there’s nothing you can say to justify it. It just is what it is. I felt like I was being used by my staffing firm. Had lots of suspicions, but chose to ignore them in lieu of their phenomenal promises. We shouldn’t be so naive.
So, if a woman knows she’s being expolited for what she has or who she is or what she represents, is it wrong if she likes it? I mean, if she doesn’t protest to it and actually helps herself along, is it wrong? If it’s not wrong, it’s not pimping then is it? Perhaps a business transaction maybe?
Without delving too deeply (or deeper) into my obvious political undertone ranting, I will say this: Often in politics, candidates try different “things” in an effort to sway voters their way. Sometimes controversial, sometimes palatable, often obvious, political parties try whatever they think will work in their favor. It’s not necessarily “wrong” but it does call into question motives, sincerity and genuine intentions. So if a political candidate or a woman in business knows or suspects she’s being used, she has a couple of options:
1. Work it girl! Get into the game, play hard and find your rhythm. If you don’t do it, they’ll just find another female who will, right?
2. Pointedly, unequivocally and decidely object to the very idea of being used. And become (possibly) unemployable and unemployed.
What’s a girl to do?
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Copyright 2008 - Bridget Wright
Honestly, Sarah Palin is a “big girl” and can take care of herself. I highly doubt she feels like she’s being “pimped.” She got to the position of Governor of her state by going up against those in her own party. No “pimping” required.
I suppose you are basing this whole pimping metaphor on the assumption that McCain merely picked her because she was a woman. Because if Palin was a male (changing only gender here…not any other experience, know-how, etc.) - would we be even using the pimp metaphor at all?
No, I am not naive. I’m sure her gender played a part in the decision. But was it the ONLY reason he picked her?
Well, considering that Palin offered (with no prodding) that she hadn’t even seriously considered the office of VP before she was approached. AND she also offered that she was quite content with her job as being Alaska’s governor. Given that, I would deduce that she was asked and adds value to someone else’s agenda and not her own.
See the video at:
the question is asked at 2:00
Palin’s answer is at 2:37
Exploitation implies something negative. Ms. Palin’s career is gold for the rest of her life. A book deal, maybe a movie, at least a Lifetime mini series or something. She’s going to be just fine and will forevermore be a little bit famous and have jobs making really good money.
When I do freelance work through this one company, my editor gets a huge share of the profit and I get less than half. Does that mean I’m exploited, or is it okay because my small cut is still darn good money? Does the level of money/prestige matter?
I don’t think she’s being pimped, I think she’s getting the chance of a lifetime.
I totally get your point here but my feeling is that if we as women CAN capitalize on people’s stupidity, then we should. If the GOP wants to nominate Palin simply because she’s got the right mechanics, why should she pass up that opportunity to advance her career, no matter what the impetus for her getting that opporunity. If they want to offer you a great job because soley because you are black, why pass up the opportunity? I say if it can help your career, do it.
I was born and raised in the south and even though I’ve lived in Chicago for about 7 years, I still have a detectable southern accent. There are two stereotype that come along with a southern accent, one good and one bad. The positive one is that people tend to automatically assume people with southern accents are freindly and/or likeable. I do use that to my advantage whenever possible. The negative stereotype is that people with southern accents are dumb - I’m always paranoid and on the lookout for people thinking I’m a big dummy.
So, while I think that women ought to take advantage of every opportunity they can, they should also realize that people who give women chances simply because they are women or because they are black, probably have some underlying negative assumptions that may make the career path kinda painful.
Interesting thoughts. I’m not sure I’ll go all the way with the pimping metaphor, but I do agree that she was picked for three main reasons:
1. Her gender
2. Her youth and star quality
3. Her extremely conservative views
All of these things take the focus away from John McCain, which is what he wants. Media has been trained on her, and very little else in the election has been covered. The past couple of weeks have shown that this was a brilliant short-term move by the McCain campaign (whether it remains so in the long-term is yet to be seen). Comparisons are being drawn between Palin and Obama, rather than Obama and McCain, and McCain can just drop out of sight for a little while and let Palin energize “the base.”
And if she does well and plays along, she will be rewarded. McCain has been handsomely rewarded by falling into line since 2006; the GOP is very good and very efficient at rewarding those who play ball. Palin will be just fine.
jennydecki, the situation is great if the female benefits too, of course. But if she is somewhat aloof to it, as I was since I (and admittedly Palin) are unprepared, I find myself pressed to see the benefits of this seemingly wonderful setup. If I am going to benefit, I at least want to see and know what it is before I embark.
Do you think they would have picked a woman if Hillary were on the Democratic ticket? Do you think they would have picked a woman if Obama were not on the Democratic ticket? Please don’t be naive but this is scripted and there were several alternative scripts depending on how the true democratic process played out at the DNC. It’s not Palin’s fault and I’m sure she will reap a garrison of trinkets for her career and pocket book, but she’s earned them at the cost of dragging her family (and others) across a global stage. Her very own daughter’s under age sex was used and twisted for a sound bite. This begs serious consideration about her ability to act in the interest of others. I see pimp, pawn and payoff all the way! In the interest of women’s rights - we need to think very clearly about how we may or may not be being exploited. Palin is gold digging at the expense of her loved ones self concept and self-esteem. Remember she shoots and kills wolves and polar bears from the air and she won’t give a dime for your cousin’s daughter who is seventeen and pregnant. The only seventeen year old parents who will have more than a roof over their head will be Bristol and Jamie Lynn Spears. Woman are smarter than this! Vote Obama and protect our daughter’s futures.
If Hillary had been chosen, there wouldn’t even BE a discussion of pimp-dom. While Hillary is not one of my favorite people, she lives, eats and breaths politics. Clean, dirty or otherwise, the woman knows her game and she (Hillary) plays it well. I just do not feel comfortable in the hands of someone for whom this candidacy is a fleeting thought…
It’s been interesting for me to watch this debate because I seriously doubt we’d be having the same conversation about Obama if he had chosen Hilary as his VP.
Just before the nomination was announced, there was an interesting piece on NPR that said the legacy of Cheney would be that neither political party would choose a VP that would overshadow the Pres. Bush spent years trying to overcome the stigma of Cheney as a puppet master. There is no doubt in my mind that McCain had this in mind when he selected Palin. I also think it’s why Obama didn’t choose Hillary (I do think she would have overshadowed him). So I *get* your point and I think it makes a lot of sense.
Okay, clearly Bridget and I were thinking the same thing at the same time… :)
Bridget:
First off, I really love what you’ve done with your hair. And orange is definitely your color. Some friends and I were going to grab a drink over at the b5forum after work… stop by if you can. Feel free to bring some friends. Preferably in sweaters.
Not to sound cynical, but isn’t pimping and politics redundant? Obama exploits his (sort of) blackness (cautiously), Biden his widowhood and fatherhood, McCain his military family (he even let it leak that he was a POW at one time. Vietnam, I think.) Hillary exploits her (sort of) womanhood, Bush exploits his unique appeal with the gullible and monosyllabic, while Edwards pimps his fine, fine hair.
I think Sarah Palin was an excellent choice for V.P. and I support her wholeheartedly. Of course, I base my vote solely on the parody potential for Daily Show, SNL and Mad TV skits.
>> By the way, did anyone else see that when Fred Thompson announced that Sarah Palin could field dress a moose, the Secret Service sprung into action, thinking he was under attack?
Wow, what a great conversation going on!
I agree with several of the commenters above (and gina’s comment sounds/reads eerily as if it could have come straight from my mouth/fingertips), and don’t really have anything different to add to it. But, wrapping up, the “pimping” analogy is an interesting one, and not one that’s too far fetched, I think. Especially given Palin’s seemingly less-than-ambitious goals regarding vice-presidential candidacy (before she was picked, that is). After reading your thoughts and your own story, Bridget, I buy it.