Calling Hillary By Her First Name

I remember reading an op-ed piece highlighting remnants of sexism in our culture. In it, it was mentioned that while we call Edwards, Obama, Richardson, McCain, Romney, Huckabee, and Thompson by their last names, Hillary is called by her first. It was claimed that this was an example of sexism.

 

I can’t speak for others, but I would like everyone to understand my position as to why I call her Hillary. I’m not sexist. I call her Hillary so others will know who I’m talking about. Theresa Heinz-Kerry, Elizabeth Edwards, and Laura Bush are not as well-known or as active in politics as their husbands. If I simply refer to someone in a politics conversation as Kerry, I’m obviously talking about John. If I refer to someone as Clinton, I’m talking about Bill. Because I grew up talking about Bill Clinton as Clinton, a new name had to be created for Hillary when she became more active and ran for senator. Without thinking, I began to call her Hillary.

Incedently, I call Sarah Palin by her last name.