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Schism

Feminists bitterly divided over Hill, Obama. Intense irony alert. via Herald: 

NEW YORK - No constituency is more eager to see a woman win the presidency than America’s feminists, yet — despite Hillary Rodham Clinton’s historic candidacy — the women’s movement finds itself wrenchingly divided over the Democratic race as it heads toward the finish.

At breakfast forums, in op-ed columns, across the blogosphere, the debate has been heartfelt and sometimes bitter. Are the activist women supporting front-runner Barack Obama betraying their gender? Are Clinton’s feminist backers mired in an outdated, women’s-liberation mind-set?

Ellen Bravo is a Milwaukee author and activist who advocates on behalf of working women — and is an Obama supporter. She faults Clinton for her 2002 vote authorizing the Iraq war and believes the Illinois senator would be more supportive of grass-roots political action.

At times, Bravo, 64, has been dismayed by the harsh criticism directed at women like herself from pro-Clinton feminists.

“I felt it was an ultimatum — vote for Hillary Clinton or you’re betraying the women’s movement,” Bravo said. “It’s very self-defeating and alienating, particularly to younger women who, regardless of who they support, don’t like to be told, ’Do this. Do that.’”

Reminds me of that old joke. How many feminists does it take to elect the first woman president …

OK, seriously. This suggests American feminism has reached at advanced stage of development, if women who are concerned about women’s issues don’t think the first viable woman candidate is their girl just because she’s a woman. Next step is for people who are excited about the chance to vote for the first viable black candidate for president to realize voting someone because he is black isn’t necessarily a step forward absent other qualifications.

It’s pretty simple. Vote the progressive candidate … John McCain … and show that you have transcended race and gender prejudices and understand old white geezers can be every bit as qualified as women and minorities, sometimes more.

Topics: pols, feminism

  Posted by Jules Crittenden at 7:23 am on Sunday, May 11, 2008

4 Responses to “Schism”

1. RebeccaH Says:
   May 11th, 2008 at 10:41 am

   Amen. Although I may be biased, being an old, white geezer myself (although not male).

2. Clag Says:
   May 11th, 2008 at 3:18 pm

   “Vote the progressive candidate … John McCain … and show that you have transcended race and gender prejudices and understand old white geezers can be every bit as qualified as women and minorities, sometimes more.”

   Absolutely on the money Jules! That would be the ultimate proof of progressivism but not many will take this route because the so-called “progressives” in society are really just a bunch of racists and sexists - largely overlooked only because its white men that they hate.

3. TheBigHenry Says:
   May 11th, 2008 at 7:20 pm

   Ditto on the Amen.

   But I really dislike the word “geezer”. Yes, I’m a senior; yes, I’m white; yes, I’m male. Nevertheless, I don’t answer to “Yo, geezer”.

   I shower every day after my workout; I trim my beard regularly; I read; I think; I write. And I do know stuff, like how many states there are in the union, for instance.

4. Jules Crittenden Says:
   May 12th, 2008 at 7:26 am

   Apologies, no intent to offend geezer-Americans, especially ones who shower.

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