Black Women Are Not Feeling the Feminists' Pain
And by the way, what's wrong with the black community getting excited about a historic first? Aren't you in fact excited as well about the possibility of a historic first female president? Or did this point elude you even though you once tried to become that historic first?
Gloria Steinem, you wrote in the New York Times that Obama would not have succeeded if he were a woman because gender is "the most restricting force in American life." Yeah, right. Tell that to the thousands of unemployed black men in America who would gladly trade places with you and women like you whose lives bear few examples of social and economic deprivation.
Black men don't control a whole lot in this country; not the media, not Wall Street, not Capitol Hill. So when did they start holding you back or becoming your oppressors? White women have benefited from generations of white privilege and now that one black man has managed to play, and win, by the rules, you cry sexism?
We understand your frustration with the campaign and the failings of the packrat media coverage, we have our frustrations too. Nonetheless, it's entirely too convenient to try and turn Obama into a symbol of sexism, or reverse racism, or the manifestation of biased gender politics. The media is fascinated and obsessed with "firsts" and the possibility of the first black or woman president will undoubtedly continue to drive much of the focus and narrative of the campaign coverage.
So how about taking a deep breath and a couple of steps back to get some perspective.
Obama is appealing to voters of both genders and all racial stripes precisely because he's not playing the racial victim. Perhaps if Clinton stopped playing the female victim, other voters would flock to her too.
Marjorie Valbrun is a journalist based in Washington, D.C.
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Black Women Are Not Feeling the Feminists' Pain
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View All Comments »Compton Kid at 06/09/2008 9:59:04 PM
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Geraldine, Hillary, and Gloria, your profound indignation has been duly noted. I offer to each of you the same response that Black women and men have received for years. . . . . "GET OVER IT, LET IT GO, THAT'S HISTORY. Oh yeah, can't forget the ultimate one -- "No one in my family had anything to do with it." Anyway, some of my best friends are entitled white women that have NO excuse for not reaching their potential because the world has been served to them on a platter ALL of their lives.
Personally, I find it unacceptable when you, and others like you, attempt to bring doubt,to the legitimacy of Senator Obama's political candidacy, but you, nor your mothers, grandmothers, or great grandmothers have ever had the nerve to hold your own men ACCOUNTABLE for the sexist lives they inflicted upon each of you.
Geraldine, I'd work on my own house first. Hillary, what can I say. Yours is a lost cause --- no pun intended. And Gloria, well "it's your thang do what you wanna do".
deemill at 06/04/2008 1:19:23 PM
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Comment: You guys of the liberal leftist media are something. After trashing Hillary because he is a woman and somewhat less liberal than Obama. Now you elevating an inexperienced man to the level of Greek mythology. I bet you if Hillary went to dinner at the so-called Rev. Wright 3 or 4 times, you hyppocrite of the media would trash her even more and call for her resignation. You are something! You sexist media will have the shock of your life when your little creation name Barack Hussein Obama will be sent back to South Chicago where he belongs to reunite with his friend Weathermen leader Bernadine Dohrn and Ayers (terrorists and criminals), RezKo (criminal), his spiritual leaders of 17 to 20 years Farrakhan, Wright and Pfleger (racists and anti-semitic), his racist wife Michelle (review her thesis, listen to her own comments, wait the upcoming tape). So how many pass are you derranged leftist going to give him. Are you guilty for your ancestors racisms? are you you mentally sick with your liberalism? Do you hate America so much by your communism? Do you hate George Bush so much that you are willing to put your ego first? At least george Bush never insulted America! After alll according to you, he stealed the election From Gore by getting elected when Gore won the popular vote. Why are you not outrage when Obama steal the nomination when Hillary won the popular vote? why don't you cry foul play when Obama got awarded with delegates when he removed voluntary his name on the ballot in Michgan? What are you not defending reverse racism and sexism? Your double standard is sickening. But get what? we the real American women and men for that matter, will be getting revenge in November and will send your little fictional creation named Barack Hussein Obama back with the terrorists that he belongs in the South side of Chicago.
Datdamwuf at 03/29/2008 3:40:08 PM
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thank you for this post, as a "white" woman I can't know about racism but I have certainly experienced sexism. I am highly successful with no degree but it took many years and having to always work harder and longer than the males around me. I'm 40 something, when I went into IT I was the ONLY woman I knew in the profession, when I moved into IT security I rarely saw a woman. That has changed, and in my lifetime! I am proud that us old feminists managed to break some barriers so that younger women no longer think our issues are their issues. It means we made progress, I love that both black and white women are represented in my field now. Hopefully those younger women can bridge the wage gap and move the glass ceiling up a few rungs in their lifetimes.
Lastly, I for one am glad that those "privileged ladies" stood up for us and helped us get the vote, get into jobs we need, and all the other things they've done. Honestly, when you are working all the time you aren't likely to be the activist who has time to truly organize and make the difference. Those "privileged ladies" made a contribution to our equality with the help of many more less fortunate.