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14 de Noviembre, 2007
Hillogynists Take Note
Categorized under Política Estados Unidos , Sexismo | Tags: Hillary Clinton, Que Viva Las Mujeres
HILLARY RUNNING for President of the United States of America is a great thing, no matter what. This ain't a cigarette ad. Mujeres have come a long way. And I, for one, am excited to see it. Sadly, one of the main reasons I thought I'd want a female President seems to have been an illusion. I imagined that with more women ruling the nations of the world, there would be less war. But for one thing, is it sexist for me to imagine that women are less warlike, less violent? It seems to me to be the truth. I mean, don't get me wrong, I've known girls who could fight with the best of them, and I've trained with and under female martial artists who've had my deep respect. But in general, socialized or otherwise, (and even if only socialized to be less violent, that's good enough) I once felt a female President would increase our chances of Peace.
Of course, I was much younger and far more naive when I first began imagining this scenario. Perhaps back when Geraldine Ferraro ran as Mondale's Vice President. I didn't see then that the system might demand the candidate become more warlike, or at least assert her bonafides as a violently-disposed person. I didn't understand, either, how much pressure might be on a woman who runs for such a position in such a nation to prove how un-nurturing and hard-handed she can be.
It's still a great thing that Hillary is running. A great thing for my daughters to see, a great thing for the world to see, a sign of great and important change. And it's a challenge for those who do not like her as a person, or who do not like the idea of her presidency, or who take issue with her politics, or her husband's politics. Just as the entire immigration issue has challenged many to address an issue without resorting to racism; just as how the increased focus and emotion and consequent dialogue has forced a greater articulation of sensitive topics, and has also flushed out racist thought and memes that had been normalized, or hidden in everyday framing—so too, will this issue now address sexism in so many ways. On new levels, or in a new fashion.
Already we see many instances of people failing miserably at separating their own issues with what it is as a politician Clinton might present that is undesirable.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How do we beat the bitch?
JOHN MCCAIN, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: May I give the translation?
The way that...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: John, I thought she was talking about by ex- wife.
MCCAIN: Right. But that's an excellent question. I respect Senator Clinton. I respect anyone who gets the nomination of the democratic party.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHETRY: All right, Mike, does that hurt McCain?
ALLEN: Oh, give me a break. Of course not. First of all, I think it's kind of funny. If you watch that tape, he was -- it clear to him who she was referring to. He could have said, whoever were you talking about, which might have been the deftest way to handle it.
CHETRY: But he said, that's an excellent question.
ALLEN: But what Republican voter hasn't thought that? What voter in general hasn't thought that and what people like about McCain is his straight talk, his candor. And if he had folded or buckled under that question, that would have looked ridiculous. There's no question about this. He said the respect that the two of them have. This is something actually, your viewers would not know. Senator McCain and Senator Clinton actually do have a genuine friendship in part because of their overseas travels from the Armed Services Committee. So they do not attack each other. But this was just a funny moment on the campaign trail.
"Straight talk." "Candor." Really.
I really wish these people wouldn't give vent to their gross misogynist views when speaking about Hillary Clinton. It is only going to confuse the issue. If you turn this into a "bitches" vs. the Rest of Them, you will (rightly) end up losing, and you will force me into standing against you...and with Clinton. And you will force a lot of people into that position. The time has come for a woman to hold the office—or a Latino, or a black man, or even a man with wavy and expensive hair. Let's definitely not get lost on that part of things.
If you really don't want Clinton as President (or if you do), the best bet is to treat her run, her self, and her sex with respect. If you are against her Presidency, figure out what it is you don't like about her as a politician or policy maker, or leader, and articulate that. (I don't think you'd have a hard time producing many reasons not related to genitalia or sexuality). But if you find it's just the idea of a woman holding power that you resent, then please shut up. You are useless to the process you pollute, and helpful to the cause you purportedly oppose.
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Comentarios (5)
kcb dijo:
I didn't understand, either, how much pressure might be on a woman who runs for such a position in such a nation to prove how un-nurturing and hard-handed she can be.
That's true just about any time a woman finds herself in a male-dominated field, sad to say. You have to prove you're not "just a girl" without being perceived as a ball-buster, either. No matter what, you end up defined by the standards of the people who are threatened by you, and in my case I ended up being a much harder person than I really am in order to do my job. It's greatly magnified in Hillary's case, and kudos to you for calling it for what it is.
If you turn this into a "bitches" vs. the Rest of Them, you will (rightly) end up losing, and you will force me into standing against you...and with Clinton.
Amen.
Palabras por kcb spat forth on el 15 de Noviembre, 2007 at 08:49 AM
johnnyboy dijo:
she's a lying ass politician who doesn't care about the soldiers dying.i remember the obama campaign announced he would need secret service to protect him(no details were given).her campaign immediately announced that she would need secret service protection.now this wasn't done because of some threat,but because she didn't want obama getting any kind kick from this(you know like looking presidential).shit like that and planting phony questioners into news conferences.man,this is just the beginning of what could come from her.don't trust it.
Palabras por johnnyboy spat forth on el 15 de Noviembre, 2007 at 10:32 AM
nezua limón xolagrafik-jonez
dijo:
thank you for sharing your experience, kcb. i find it valuable.
Palabras por nezua limón xolagrafik-jonez
spat forth on el 15 de Noviembre, 2007 at 11:27 AM
r ness dijo:
Murdoch, owner of FOX news is hosting a fundraiser for Hillary. I have two beautiful daughters and a woman pres would be so great for them to see. However, the big picture, thier future, will prevent me from supporting her.
Bush today says Hillary is the best candidate in regards to handling pressure. Support from the Bush Crime family and Murdoch...she is bought and paid for. The two party system is a joke we need an alternative
a sad day
Palabras por r ness spat forth on el 21 de Noviembre, 2007 at 07:13 PM
nezua limón xolagrafik-jonez
dijo:
i agree with you. we need a change.
Palabras por nezua limón xolagrafik-jonez
spat forth on el 21 de Noviembre, 2007 at 07:17 PM