Alex Trebek-Jeopardy: Sexist comment?

Well it was sexist whether you want to accept it was or not.
"You are awfully well spoken for a black guy"
To qualify any statement with "for a" is sexist racist or whatever.
For years I worked with truckers and warehouse men. When ever a semi showed with a female driver, one of the idiots on the dock would make a comment like" How does a little bitty thing like you run that big ole thing"
Made me wanna puke!
 

Mildly sexist, yes, but who cares? He was trying to be friendly. Sometimes it's better to consider the intention behind the sexist remark, which in this case was benign.
 
Sunny said:
Mildly sexist, yes, but who cares? He was trying to be friendly. Sometimes it's better to consider the intention behind the sexist remark, which in this case was benign.
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Well said Sunny, I agree. I think there's too much overreaction.
 
Robusta said:
...For years I worked with truckers and warehouse men. When ever a semi showed with a female driver, one of the idiots on the dock would make a comment like" How does a little bitty thing like you run that big ole thing"
Made me wanna puke!
Click to expand...
Re: the trucker's comment...seeing that God generally made men physically stronger than women (that's a given), I would have taken it as a compliment that I overcame that hurdle through hard work and determination despite the differences. I would have answered, "with the strength I was given, the spirit of determination, and brains".

Never let your emotions miss the opportunity to respectfully clarify that. The man who said it, may have intended ill-will but it doesn't matter when you answer in a respectful manner, and with intelligence. Rise above.
 
Condescending as can be. I also fail to see how his comment could be perceived as an attempt to be friendly. How does insinuating that her job would automatically be difficult because of her gender become part of a positive conversation? I don’t know how many times during my career such sentiments have been expressed to me. I do my best to handle it “like a boss,” as my son would say, but inwardly it still rankles.
 
The show is taped in advance. If they thought it was offensive they could have fixed it.

She didn't mind. She said she grew up tough.

I'm sure they rehearse that part of the show to just get to know the contestants.
 
I don't think he should be shot at sunrise. If you analyze the hell out of it, was it a sexist remark? Yes. If you listen to the entire exchange, was it an intentional sexist diatribe? On a sexism scale from 1 to 10; it's a 1. If he was a 21 year old TV Host, who said that; shoot him. But a 77 year old guy? Maybe just wing him in his arm.
 
Alex Trebek was correct. It is very tough for women in the military, especially in leadership roles. They are often resented by the male majority. You see problems even in military academies for women cadets. There's no doubts about that. And I do believe that the woman contestant understood that.
 
The more I thought about. I'm 71, close to Alex's 77. When I was dating, my "girl" did not expect to open a big heavy car door by herself. If I didn't, she would have called a no good SOB for not respecting her femininity. Of course, "for her being a woman", I wouldn't allow her to carry any heavy thing. And more over, she expected a man to do those things, because she was a woman. How dare I not recognize that she was the fairer sex. So how am I supposed to know if a woman is the fairer sex or G.I.Jane?
 
When I was shot in Vietnam and sent to Okinawa, one of my doctors (surgeon) was a female LT. I never thought of her any differently than if it were a male doctor. I just wanted to get healed and go home.
 
Lara said:
Re: the trucker's comment...seeing that God generally made men physically stronger than women (that's a given), I would have taken it as a compliment that I overcame that hurdle through hard work and determination despite the differences. I would have answered, "with the strength I was given, the spirit of determination, and brains".

Never let your emotions miss the opportunity to respectfully clarify that. The man who said it, may have intended ill-will but it doesn't matter when you answer in a respectful manner, and with intelligence. Rise above.
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What on Gods green earth does strength have to do with driving a truck? A truck weighs 80,000 lbs without permits. That remains the same whether it is a male or female hand at the controls. The driver does not push or carry the truck.
The truck is 80 feet long. that also does not change.
All trucks since the late sixties are equipped with power steering

Driving a truck is not a feat of strength, does not require a whole lot of brains or determination.

Driving truck is a non traditional trade for women, but there is no barrier physical or otherwise placed in the path of a women that wants to drive.

In my area of NY,just by my non scientific observation,probably better than half the school bus drivers are women.

What would have the comments been if the contestant was a male day care worker, or elementary teacher?
 
I think he got in trouble a few years ago by being nasty to a young kid who was on the show. Does anyone remember that?
 
I don't remember that incident with the person on the show, I don't usually watch it, but could be. I met Alex Trebek once at a Celebrity Golf Tournament he was in. He was stopped, sitting in his Golf Cart and I said, "Alex, What is a hole in one"?.......No, just kidding:), but did get my picture taken with him. Whoo Hoo...whatever:rolleyes:
 
Shalimar said:
Condescending as can be. I also fail to see how his comment could be perceived as an attempt to be friendly. How does insinuating that her job would automatically be difficult because of her gender become part of a positive conversation? I don’t know how many times during my career such sentiments have been expressed to me. I do my best to handle it “like a boss,” as my son would say, but inwardly it still rankles.
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That's a very good post Shalimar. For a woman. :lofl:
 
I posted a response, but it has not appeared. I agree with Olivia who stated: Alex Trebek was correct. It is very tough for women in the military, especially in leadership roles. They are often resented by the male majority. You see problems even in military academies for women cadets. There's no doubts about that. And I do believe that the woman contestant understood that.

As the wife of a military man for over 20 years, I observed the difficulty and hostilities women officers and NCOs faced while serving in the military service. It was very difficult for them to earn the respect they deserved and they had to become tough and work very hard to get to those higher ranks. They were "tough" and had to be. I do not believe Alex meant to be sexist at all, and personally did not see it that way. Those who have not lived through that military lifestyle should not be judging, IMO.
 
I can only speak for myself, but I am sick and tired of hearing a constant flood of comments about how men are sexists. Funny how some women are quite selective about when they complain about men. I have an idea. The next time a lady's car gets stuck in the snow, don't allow a man to help you. Wait for a woman to help you.

Half of the women are quite feminine and they appreciate a man holding open a door or lifting heavy objects (Honey, move the refrigerator. I need to clean the floor).
Half of the women are just itching for a fight and will never pass up an opportunity to make a catty remark toward men.

Just how in the hell are men supposed to know the difference ?
 
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