Is Sexism Funny? Obama's Larry Summers Joke Bombs Badly at 2009 WH Correspondents' Dinner

(5/9/09) In a room of highly fawning and overwhelmingly supportive journalists, Obama's Correspondents' Dinner joke about Larry Summers asking to chair a White House Council on Women and Girls didn't go over so well--clearly demonstrated by the crowd's palpable groans. Since it can be assumed that Obama read and approved the text of his comedy routine before it was delivered, can we assume that he actually thought this joke was funny?

Shouldn't we expect the feminist community to ask for an apology? Or will self-described feminists only react when a Conservative or Republican makes an offensive, tasteless joke that belittles their concerns? Don't hold your breath waiting for feminists or the media to call out Obama for delivering this masterful flub.

Background Articles:

"Summers' remarks on women draw fire": http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2005/01/17/summers_remarks_on_women...

"Harvard women's group rips Summers": http://www.boston.com/news/education/higher/articles/2005/01/19/harvard_women...

"Summers to step down, ending tumult at Harvard": http://www.boston.com/news/education/higher/articles/2006/02/22/summers_to_st...

Video: C-SPAN

Category:

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[sugarfreelemonade]

Sexism is funny. That's why this is neither sexism nor funny.

[Ceddyohtwo]

stem cell ban tax cuts to the rich ignored the memo he recieved on august 6, 2001 about an attack which would involve multiple highjackings. katrina. lying about iraqs wmd's invasion of iraq authorizing torture. anouncing victory in iraq (waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay to early) lack of focus paid to the afgan war. saying iraq is the most important war. claiming iraq and al queda were connected. ignoring his approval ratings ignoring the american people. dude, he made it easy for the media!

[JayTee1017]

Sexism is hilarious lol women should stop bitching and deal with it, stop trying to act like men. Be a woman and cook me dinner.

[murrums1]

Stop complaining and telling everyone what to do and make me a sandwich

[LoneRookRS1]

Fucking feminists. All he said was that women are naturally not so good at science and engineering and he had to resign from his job. Women have a serious inferiority complex in America today.

[toberses11]

jesus fucking christ get over it

[Thugpoet711]

What is with this title? Really didn't sound like it went over bad at all. what are you hearing. If this is the best "bad" joke you can find, Obamas doing well. If you're offended by this it clearly IS past your bedtime. lmao

[themaniusedtob]

wow feminism is that insecure that they would call that sexist... *rolls eyes heres real sexist for you

imagine society thinks its ok to tell women they must give the child to the father and pay them to do it if not go to jail... now that would be sexism or howabout if a boat is sinking there is a rule that says "men and children first" that would be sexist too.... only men have it bad in the US women have more rights then any man and privileges and options and aid and support etc

[ElConquistadorNo1]

At least Obama is able to make one person laugh: himself.

[1thruZ]

The joke is in reference to Larry Summers politically incorrect comment a while ago about women not being as common among those in the very top levels of intelligence, which ended up losing him his job as Harvard president.

[thejuggler42]

...I don't think you get it. The Joke IS funny, and can only be thought to be funny by someone who thinks it would be ridiculous to put someone like Summers in a position of power with regards to women's rights. That was the whole point; he's making fun of sexism.  I don't see why this is a problem.

[trueswordsexpert0909]

and where exactly is the council for men and boys.

I think its pretty sexist to have one for females but not for males.