Gloria Steinem outlined EXACTLY the sentiments I didn't have the data or eloquence to express. Please read her opinion in the New York Times, "Women Are Never Front-Runners" about how the gender political barrier is and always has runner deeper than the racial barriers in the United States.
Steinem writes this piece and informs you at the end that she is supporting Hillary and why. Although I haven't made a final political primary decision I must say that she reinforces my consideration as an American woman that if all the things are equal (and that remains to be judged) women in this country should have an obligation that NOT voting for Hillary because one might figure this country won't vote in a woman might be the deciding factor to vote for her. Because as an American woman, to not vote for a woman, any woman, based on the concept that she might not beat a man makes it a self-fullfilling prophecy.
That said, I'm still so pissed she supported Iraq for so long.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Monday, January 07, 2008
Mysogeny alive and well in the Presidential campaign
From the beginning I've been concerned that most Americans left alone in the privacy of their own voting booths would not vote for either a black man or a woman of any color. I have been very concerned about choosing not just the best Democrat candidate but the one who can beat any and all Republican candidates. I was hesitant to vote for Hillary because I was concerned that she coulnd't entice those potential swing voters who already have the bitter taste in their mouths from hteKen Starr/ Rush Limbaugh ancient history.
Last week upon the Pakistan assasination I decided that maybe it was more important that I vote for Hillary to not make my fear of mysogeny in the American voter a self-fulfilled proficy . I must say today I'm shocked and saddened by the news media perpetuation of asking America to judge a female candidate with a separate and different playbook.
Americans want a President who cleans her closets? One who cries when asked about her uphill battle? All pundits saying, "Well she's tired but now voters can see her human side but it may be too little too late." When a man makes the same comments its not even a point of discussion. The most recent example they can muster up is Muskie? That's silly.
When Hillary asks other candidates talk about their records and their experience, according to one female MSNBC pundit, she was "yelling at them" during the New Hampshire debate. A comment that casts a light on Hillary like an emotional nagging mom. Lest we forget when John Kerry's wife made some sassy statements about a lobbyist she was called brash and harsh. Remember the McCain discussion group when a woman asked McCain, "How will we beat the bitch?" Bill Moyers Journal interview of Kathleen Hall Jamieson and her perspective about that and what it means for the way Americans talk and think about women in power. Do women in America worry about their own ability to be powerful? I am sure that Oprah's support of Obama is fully and 100% a result of his principals but I wonder what it meant that she didn't support Hillary when her demographic is mostly white women.
Of course, Americans wanted a President that they'd like to have a beer with and look what it got them.
Last week upon the Pakistan assasination I decided that maybe it was more important that I vote for Hillary to not make my fear of mysogeny in the American voter a self-fulfilled proficy . I must say today I'm shocked and saddened by the news media perpetuation of asking America to judge a female candidate with a separate and different playbook.
Americans want a President who cleans her closets? One who cries when asked about her uphill battle? All pundits saying, "Well she's tired but now voters can see her human side but it may be too little too late." When a man makes the same comments its not even a point of discussion. The most recent example they can muster up is Muskie? That's silly.
When Hillary asks other candidates talk about their records and their experience, according to one female MSNBC pundit, she was "yelling at them" during the New Hampshire debate. A comment that casts a light on Hillary like an emotional nagging mom. Lest we forget when John Kerry's wife made some sassy statements about a lobbyist she was called brash and harsh. Remember the McCain discussion group when a woman asked McCain, "How will we beat the bitch?" Bill Moyers Journal interview of Kathleen Hall Jamieson and her perspective about that and what it means for the way Americans talk and think about women in power. Do women in America worry about their own ability to be powerful? I am sure that Oprah's support of Obama is fully and 100% a result of his principals but I wonder what it meant that she didn't support Hillary when her demographic is mostly white women.
Of course, Americans wanted a President that they'd like to have a beer with and look what it got them.
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