As a feminist, I have cringed and winced as I have heard the media and many Republicans spew criticism and give undo focus to her clothing, her hair, wrinkles, and laugh. I am outraged that a woman still must be still subjected to this puerile type of analysis and still cannot be genuinely respected as a professional and politician. I cheered as I saw her maintain remarkable composure and empathized when she revealed an emotional side - she has been accused of being too indifferent as well as too emotional (no male candidate has been subject to this type of scrutiny).
Nevertheless, because I am a feminist, I do not support her candidacy and fully support Barack Obama. Hillary Clinton represents Establishment politics, which I sometimes term "The Old Boys' Club." Sure, she represents issues that resonate strongly with me as a feminist: universal health care (although I consider her 1994 plan, done behind closed doors, a disaster), family medical leave, etc.
However, apart from her hawkish support for militarism, she has also connected herself to the "good old days" under Bill, to whose administration she has often, positively referred. This means that she is choosing to associate herself with unrestricted trade, terminating welfare, and the Financial Services Modernization Act - all actions that have harmed women and children throughout the world and in the U.S.
I have the highest respect for her as a woman who has risen to the challenge in a most difficult context. She has proven herself to be a capable professional who deserves credit for making some inroads in how women politicians should and will be perceived in the future.
However, in order for sexism truly to be combatted, we need a complete separation from the Old Boys' Club (the Political Establishment). We need someone who is courageous enough to tackle the Reaganite values that have held our country captive too long and not someone that plays to it. We need to be inspired to know that we can and MUST choose a newer dynamic.
To quote Robert Frost: "Two roads diverged in a distance and I took the one less traveled by. It has made all the difference."
As a feminist/humanist, I am tired of the road most traveled. I look at the road less traveled and I am audacious enough to believe that it will make all the difference and will lead us closer to that "more perfect Union."
The definition of feminist, by the way, is one who supports equal rights, regardless of gender, before the law. The radical-wrong has long tried to sully the term feminist (and many have embraced Rush Limgaugh's nasty terminology, femi-nazi), but today, most Americans are feminists. They just don't realize it and/or won't admit it. However, having said that, it says a lot about us as a people that we run for cover so easily. And in the 21st Century we still have no equal rights amendment.
When all is said and done, and when the damage from Bushworld and the Bush court sinks in, though, believers in human liberty (real liberty, not the Bush-world freedom "to submit" to him, or suffer the consequences), will be demanding an equal rights amendment.
Anyhow she is a contributing blogger / columnist at salon.com and I thought I should pass this on for people to review .... especially "feminist". For your reading pleasure (or displeasure).
Hey people, can't we all just get along?
To my dear brother Webbhead:
I think Paglia represents a rather extreme perspective. Most of the folks in this conversation are practical. We're trying to make the best decision. Either candidate is qualified.
We are a movement. That means people with different points of view, coming from different backgrounds etc., united in our commitment to electing Barack Obama President of the United States.
Besides, there is an election day on Tuesday and I don't want to wear out my brain discussing feminist/libertarian doctrine.
FIRED UP. READY TO GO.
I am going to Delaware on Tuesday. What are you doing?
FIRED UP. READY TO GO.