I’ve been a proud supporter of Senator Obama’s run for the White House, way back since the time we weren’t even sure he was going to run. I’ve also been very against the idea of Senator Clinton as POTUS, way back since we were all very certain that she would run.
Now that Barack has secured the nomination, I feel the need to share a secret: I’m absolutely thrilled that Hillary Clinton almost won the Democratic Nomination.
Just to clarify, the word “almost” is in there. I most certainly don’t want her for President. However, I am very glad that she’s set the stage for the future. I really think that within my lifetime I will see a woman as President of the United States. And Hillary’s run showed us all that it can be done, and isn’t something to be afraid of. Her comments about having cracked the glass ceiling are true. I really hope that when a woman finally does make it, that she will be the candidate I can believe in, and support.
Last Tuesday, I was asked how I felt “being part of this historical campaign”, and I’ve thought about that question a lot since then.
My skin is basically white, and I’ve never experienced the discrimination that many others do feel. Being female, you’d think I would have, but really it’s been very minor. I’m a software developer, and I work in a man’s world. Not because women aren’t accepted, but because many women just don’t choose this as a career, and the field is dominated by men. Yet, if I am honest with myself, I can’t say that I’ve often encountered any sort of discrimination. If anything, I’m very welcomed as either a bonus for HR’s statistics, or a “change in the scenery”. The few things that could be attributed to discrimination really haven’t been more than an excuse to myself for why someone didn’t seem to like me.
My family background is very diverse. The only heritage that I know of is that I’m about 1/4 “Native American”, and I’m pretty sure that breaks down to Cherokee and Quapaw tribes. I often claim that as my race when filling out forms. Mostly, because I think it’s really cool, and I wish I knew more about it. As far as the rest goes, it’s anyone’s guess. I am only half joking when I tell people that I’m “Heinz 57”. But, whatever the breakdown, my skin is white, and my eyes are blue. The nice tan I get in the summer from my Indian blood looks good, but I’m white, and I’ve never had to deal with the crap that so many others of various races within our country have had to.
So, when I think of the feminist movement, I identify with it as far as human rights go. I would love to call myself a feminist, but I’ve seen that taken too far, and I think we are equal, and not better than anyone else. In my mind, the feminist movement is in the same boat as making sure we don’t discriminate against blacks or Hispanics or gays or anyone else based on some superficial difference. I adore the Human Rights Campaign because, while their “main” issue seems to be GLBT, when you go to their web site, “The Issues” cover things like “People of Color” and religion.
We’re all people, ok? Whether we identify with one minority or another, we’re all working to be seen for more than that. And, if anything, we’re proud of whatever that minority is. While I live a monogamous life with a great boyfriend, and have no personal need for gay marriage to be recognized, I identify with the GLBT cause (the “B” in there), even if I didn’t personally, I have some great friends who gay, and I don’t like that they have such a struggle to be able to have their relationships recognized. If it weren’t for the fact that they need legal recognition to have what most people consider normal lives – things such as hospital visitation, financial dependence, etc – I doubt that there would be a big “gay marriage” debate in this country. That debate might exist within churches, as it rightfully should.
And so, I’m confessing my dirty little secret, that I’m thrilled that Clinton cracked the glass ceiling, because I believe she cracked that ceiling for all sorts of people. And while I’m glad that Barack will likely be the first black President, I’m mostly thrilled that we get to have a president who will do a good job, and I believe that his skin color also helped human rights fights for women, people of any race, and for those in the GLBT community – and that’s icing on the cake.
Thank you so much for this post. It’s the only positive thing I’ve read on the blogosphere all day. I agree with you completely. Perhaps you might comment on a few blogs out there that are trying to rip our party apart?
This is an interesting post. I have been a feminist for 35 years. I consider it a human rights philosophy. I found the campaign against Sen. Clinton so sexist, I was appalled. I hope you never experience sex discrimination, or at least on the blatant scale that wrecks careers. I just can’t presume we are past all that. My best friend worked “in a man’s world” for most of her working life. She got along well with the men for the most part and was not prone to ideas of “victimhood.” And then one day she got the boss from hell. The misogyny didn’t just come from him; suddenly others who had never shown it got on the bandwagon. When I watched the campaign, it was as if I were watching that parade. While I don’t support Obama, I found your post enlightening. I have a hard time understanding why women support him. So it’s good to get a perspective as articulate as yours.
huntingdonpost,
I agree, misogyny is out there, as is racism and all sorts of bigotry. There will always be people who discriminate against other people because they are different. There will also be people who kill or steal or do other bad things. But, as a whole, I don’t think society is that way, at least not the majority. And when it comes to the working world, companies that practice or tolerate it will go down, because they are rejecting the most talented person(s) in favor of the less talented.
Of course, I saw things from a different viewpoint while watching the primary, but if anything, I think Hillary Clinton did every woman and black person and Hispanic person and gay person good by running this campaign. I believe that her campaign proved that the nomination can be won by a woman, even though she didn’t quite make it. And next time a woman runs, the question of whether she can make it will only come from silly talking heads on Faux News, or their equivalent. I look forward to that day.
Kurt,
My problem with commenting on the blogs that are trying to rip the Democratic party apart is that by participating, I’m not only validating them, but I’m arguing on the internet. See the discussion, and especially the 9th comment, on this post for background on my views about that.
http://saintless.com/2008/06/04/yes-we-did-success/
But, I think that if you discount the “talking heads” on tv, there really aren’t that many people out there who are actually trying to rip the party apart, nor do I think that there are millions of “bitter voters” who are disaffected by Clinton’s loss. I can only imagine what I’d have felt last week if the tables were turned, but I believe that most people will not hold a grudge over this, especially with Hillary’s support of Barack. And the ones we see on tv are a small minority of loud and angry people, who don’t represent the average Hillary supporter.
But, if there are any blogs where you believe that honest, thoughtful conversation on this topic is to be had, feel free to find my email on this site and send a link my way.