This is a very hard letter for me to write, so please bear with me.
I’d like to ask you, with all due respect and humility, to step down as a Democratic Candidate for President of the United States.
Please understand this is not because I believe you can not or should not lead this nation. Please understand that I find you qualified, capable, and worthy. Please also understand I want nothing more than to see a female as the leader of the free world. I would be pleased and honored if you were that female.
However I am finding, right or wrong, many citizens of this country seem to react to you on an emotional level. Emotional, not practical. They can’t seem to see your record. They can’t seem to see your policy. They just hear or read “Hillary” and venom or praise spews.
I thought that with your candidacy, would come reason. I thought that you would be able to get a fair shake by main stream media, by voters, by sexists, and by soccer moms. I thought over time people would begin to see that you really are an effective politician.
I was wrong.
Tonight, I’m typing as I watch you speak in El Paso, Texas. I’m sad. There really is no other way to put it-I’m sad.
I truly believed you would be the best person for the job, and I had this nagging thought in the back of my mind that is now at the forefront. The thought that drove me on Super Tuesday to Vote for Senator Obama and the thought that is the driving force as I write tonight: Senator Hillary Clinton divides this country.
It’s not fair. It’s not right. And under just about ANY other circumstance I would go to the mat for you. However we are a wounded and deeply divided nation. We are a nation at war. We are a nation at odds with each-other. It’s ugly. I thought you could get people past it. I really did.
When I told myself it was gender that got people going, I refrained from asking and wanting you to step aside. Simply on principle, I wanted to see you run and win because they said it couldn’t be done. Because it was my belief, this was all about being a girl.
It’s not, and I was wrong.
I firmly believe while the gender issue has given you a handicap I hope we all one day overcome, it is NOT the reason people have a gut reaction to you or your campaign or your legacy.
Enter the Senator from Illinois, and what I think could be your true legacy. If you were to step aside now, shockingly early and shockingly un-Hilllary-like, you could galvanize an entire nation behind your party. If you were to throw your weight, and your tremendous political clout behind Senator Obama you could still change the world and make your mark in a way no one would expect and everyone would admire.
I don’t want to see you throw in the towel because the fight is too hard or the mountain too tall. I am asking you to throw it in because history is on the line. It is not the history either of us expected, however it is an equally important, momentous, earthshaking change in this country we sorely need.
Do something no one would ever expect. Do something extraordinary. Do something that changes politics as usual and changes history.
I could have never predicted having to chose between what my husband called “the lesser of two goods, not the lesser of two evils” when it came time to cast my vote.
It was agonizing.
But in the end, with no major policy difference and valid reasons on BOTH sides, I had to go with the candidate who I thought could best bring our nation back together. Who could cross party lines and gender lines and racial lines.
I wanted it to be you, but it’s not. For some reason you still get people very riled up, and not in the good way.
There is no way around it-it sucks. But after 7 years of nothing but fighting and head shaking and feeling like we’re living in two Americas, I can’t do it again. Not even if my team is in office.
I really hate asking you to do this, but I want you to please step down and let this nation heal.
We’ve been too angry for too long and your history and your name brings a suitcase of anger to the White House front door.
With the full weight of the Clinton name, behind the scenes, your true legacy could be written. With the full weight of the Clinton know-how you could help orchestrate the next chapter in American history where an African-American leads our nation.
It is this time in history your nation needs you.
As nation’s go, ours has never been one to do things the way we predict. Who could have seen when we finally get our first, legitimate, female front runner we’d see our first, legitimate front runner of color?
Our nation and it’s people need you to do what is best for this country. We need you to be true to what you say on the stump and bring us back together.
If you firmly believe that there is still time for you to change the hearts and minds of those rude and stubborn Americans who are voting with their gut when they see “Hillary” on the ballot-then please, prove me wrong. I’ll be at the Democratic National Convention come August and I’ll hold up my Hillary sign loud and proud and fall in line.
But I think you’ve tried. You tried with everything you had to overcome that Clinton-emotional reaction. Here we are, moving into Texas and Ohio and Pennsylvania-and it’s not you winning over hearts and minds, it’s the Senator from Illinois.
Let’s end the division in this country now. Right now. Let’s start with the Democratic Party early and provide a united front against the GOP months ahead of schedule.
Let’s take back this country for the people, with you playing a much different role than you envisioned.
Make history. Make us one. Step down now.
Sincerely,
Erin Kotecki Vest
voter, mother, woman, feminist, writer, dreamer, and Hillary fan
*edited on Valentine’s Day* want to yell at me in person over this letter? Sign up to webchat with me on ooVoo Friday, Feb. 15th from 930am PST to 1130am PST. Hell, I’ll even throw in more time just to take your call
Susie From Philly (if you guys don’t know her, it’s Suburban Guerrilla and her blog is one of my favs) –
Fair enough Susie. Although I wasn’t aware Jackie Robinson had just of good as a woman ball player also waiting to play 😉
I’d also argue Jackie was hated for his race. Hillary, IMHO, is not hated for her gender.
What a wonderful letter. I have been an Obama supporter for a long time, but have really really struggled with why I am not supporting a strong, viable woman running for President. You have articulated it better than I ever could. Thank you.
I could seriously see President Obama appointing Senator Clinton to the Supreme Court at some point – in the end a much better gig than President anyway.
NO MORE DYNASTIES!!!
Nobody is entitled to rule based upon name alone, whether it is from birth or from marriage. We don’t need to fall further into dictatorship because some people feel entitled to prominence, glory, and bowing flatterers.
Hillary supported Ms. Bhutto’s violation of the law against being PM of Pakistan for more than two terms. Why should Bhutto’s husband be regent and her kid-in-college the next PM? Why should America follow the example of tin-pot dictators? Would she support Bush remaining President-for-Life under martial law? (for the stability of the country, of course) or bringing Bill back for another 2 terms, and another 2 terms after that?
So, George P Bush is being groomed, and after him… Chelsea Clinton (or her husband?)
No dictatorships and no dynasties!
No more Bushes and no more Clintons!!!
If they want a hereditary dictatorship, with all power concentrated in a unitary executive, and power as a birthright of a select family, they can all move to Saudi Arabia or some banana “republic”.
I completely disagree. You offer no reason why so many people hate Sen. Clinton, but you rule out gender as a possible cause. If you don’t have any other possible reason, why is gender not a possibility?
Also, I very much disagree with your assertion that Obama can “cross gender lines,” and Sen. Clinton cannot. Why must it always be a man who represents both men and women? Why can’t a woman do it for once? Why must a woman step aside and use her political clout to benefit a man, when, as you say, they are at least equally qualified?
Susie from Philly above gives a good parallel in asking Jackie Robinson to leave baseball because of the racism he attracts.
The vitriol is not Hillary’s, it belongs to us and we had better own it and figure out how to raise some consciousness in this country again.
I am very sad that you wrote that loser suggestion to Hillary. She is doing a great job of weathering and sidestepping both the overt and subtle forms of attack.
Wow, I actually am concerned about the person who wrote this. This is the most EGOTISTICAL piece I’ve seen in a long time, maybe ever.
With a race that has Hillary Clinton the people’s choice (despite eight loses) – yeah, I think you are forgetting 3 million people voted in Michigan and Florida and leaves Obama in the dust when you calculate them – DNC ruels or not, for these purposes, it’s the “will of the people” – you chose to believe so little in Barack Obama’s strength to have to pull this incredibly pathetic tactic??? If Obama really inspired you or made a difference in your life, you would never had stooped this low. But, by writing this and showing your insecurity over his ability to win, you show that it is pointless for him to win.
The only think this piece attests to is that Barack Obama isn’t changing lives, he’s promoting a very sexist and racist divide in this country, at least for this author. WOW. I can’t believe this is 2008 and someone would be this back in time.
May the deserving candidate win. Don’t be so selfish and vindictive and insecure. Let the race play out and grow up.
I am a Canadian Citizen…..born and raised.
As a neighbor I wish I had a vote, but unfortunately I don’t.
If I did, I would cast my vote to Hilary, she is what the people need.
She is real!
I am NOT pro whatever!!! “womens” bullshit!, I am or was a single mom wishing the best for this continent….” North America “.
I’ve seen first hand the unfortunate tributes that our Husbands, boyfriends, friends, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, mothers and fathers give for our two countries!!!!!!!
Someone I hold close and dear to my heart lost both of his legs to this crazy/meaningless war “over oil and money”!!!!!!
My only wish is that this war ENDS!!!
“I don’t believe we will ever really know the truth”!!
“I do however believe that, “Hilary” is the best candidate for…. “President”!!!!
She believes in change!!! Hilary believes in……A NEW LIFE………..A REAL MEANING…………A CHANGE!!!Hilary should be PRESIDENT!!!!!!
AS A CANADIAN!! I VOTE FOR HILARY!!!!
AS A NORTH AMERICAN………….I VOTE FOR HILARY!!!!!
AS SOMEONE WHO CARES FOR THIS CONTINENT………..I VOTE FOR HILARY!!!!!
I LOVE THIS CRAZY OUT OF CONTROL COUNTRY!!!!!
KISS KISS HUG HUG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I loved this posting. Had Barack not run such a great campaign I was dreading voting for Hillary as the nominee. It was her sense of entitlement that always irked me. And the accumulation of power. I used to think the Clintons were ‘good’ and had been mistreated by the ‘bad’ Republicans. To an extent they were, but the Clintons also added plenty of their own fodder. Also just the fact I have to mention both Clintons leads me to believe she’s running to help him get back in the White House. And she has made a point of mentioning history as if she’s the first woman in the 20th century who ran for president. Give credit where credit’s due – to Shirley Chisholm. Who by the way didn’t have the support of the white feminists like Steinhem when SHE ran. Who has used race-baiting to discredit Obama? Who claimed LBJ signed the Civil Rights Act on his own merits – check out the words of Martin Luther King who expressedly talked about how he had to strongly persuade that to happen. I’m mostly disappointed that she couldn’t trust her own policies to set the tone of her campaign instead of being underhanded. And now we hear rumors that she and Bill are going to strong-arm their way to the Democratic nomination. Is she really looking out for the best interests of the country by telling people what to do and who to vote for – and ignoring them when they don’t act the way she wants? A benevolent dictatorship because we’re ‘activists’ and ‘party affiliates’? I’m not saying Obama is perfect by any means – but people are excited for reason. They like him or fear him but the response is visceral. They still respect him even they don’t agree. With Hillary it’s just…..ugh! And I’m not one of her ‘haters’ either. I am a woman who had a choice to make. Of course when I did research and found out Hill used to be a Republican and was opposed to the C.R. Act I was horrified. I wish people would ask her about that!
It’s nice to be nice.
The underbelly operatives of the GOP are again at their peak game. The lurid tenor of these attacks on Sen.Obama belies their origins. People that don’t know, think it’s the Clinton Campaign.
It’s obvious that, despite protestations to the contrary, the GOP is scared to death of Sen. Obama. Real “electability” begins with the ability to energize the Democratic Base in a bold way. Centrism is a function of corruption. Unfortunately, to progressives as well as realists, Sen.Clinton embodies that axiom.
Match that resistance to the extreme galvanizing antipathy Sen.Clinton inspires on the Right, and you have a losing ticket.
Can we tolerate 4-8 years of Insane McCain? Sen.Clinton needs to do the right thing and use her brokering experience in the Legislature to support the renewed agenda of the Democratic Party and President Barack Obama.
Hillary as speaker and Obama as president – I just got chills. Wow.
Wow! This just brought me to tears, and not in a good way. It breaks my heart to pieces to see everyday people buying into anti-Clinton generalities and getting caught up in media-induced Obama-fever.
Beyond the fact that very little of what you say here is true or accurate, it breaks my heart to see yet another woman turn on Clinton like this. It’s bad enough that misogyny (and that is what it is, don’t doubt it for a second) runs so rampant among white men, but even so, if women would band together in unity Clinton could take this country by storm.
I imagine Obama will make a great president in eight years, but I can’t even know that right now — he has no real record to stand on and the fact that he speaks like a proselytizing born-again gives me the eebie-jeebies.
You should be ashamed of yourself asking Clinton to step down. It’s Obama who should step down, and mark my words, if he gets the Democratic nomination he will LOSE to McCain. There is so little of Obama we have been able to see behind all the bluster and hot air. That’s because there is so much he doesn’t want to see, but it will all come out on the campaign trail. The Republicons are stock-piling their ammo as we speak — they would LOVE for Obama to take the nomination. Whatever else comes to light, McCain could trounce him in the debates with one hand tied behind his back. (Why do you think Obama refuses to debate Clinton?)
Beyond that, I thought we learned our lesson four years ago trying to vote for who we thought could get elected rather than who we believed in. Shame! Shame! Shame!
In the past I had always told myself I would vote for Hillary without a doubt if she ever ran for president… but then I found myself extremely torn when Obama came into the picture. I could never quite put into words what it was that had me doubt Hillary, except that I just simply don’t trust her.
When I read your letter Erin, I found it so profound. Just imagine the impact it would have on the world if she could be bigger than her ego and think outside of herself enough to step down, for the good of mankind. It gives me chills just thinking about it. Your letter was amazing. If only everyone could read it.
Heather
Dear Erin:
Your letter to Hillary Clinton just made me so sad.
Dear heart, surely — surely — you do not truly believe that Barack Obama will unite this country?
Erin, there are really significant reasons why the country is divided – really significant reasons. And nothing Barack Obama says or does will make them go away.
And the sad truth is that he cannot deliver on that promise. Let me explain why:
As I’m sure you know, abortion is one of the most biggest issues dividing our country right now.
Obama had a chance to take a stand – or even just attempt to exert some of the persuasive prowess he says he possesses – with respect the issue when he was in the state legislature in Illinois.
Instead, he bailed, voting present just like every other politico.
No “change” in the way legislative business was conducted. No uniting around a compromise. No bringing together of political parties. Not even an attempt.
Now, I don’t blame him. The question of legalized abortion is a very fundamental and deeply held belief that has divided in this country for years.
But since he clearly can’t deliver consensus on that issue, how can he do what he’s promising – what you hope for with all your heart – which is to bring the country together?
Another explosive issue that tends to divide Republicans from Democrats is gay marriage.
Obama’s for it, and I think most Democrats would think rightly so. But a lot of Republicans are against it – oftentimes for deeply held religious reasons – and there’s nothing that Barack Obama can do to change that.
“Family values” Republicans want drug users and drug dealers in jail. Period. Obama wants to legalize marijuana and to ensure that there is no disparity in sentencing guidelines with respect to crack.
They strongly oppose raising taxes – yet Obama’s already proposed lifting the $97,500 cap on Social Security.
Erin, these Republicans are not going to change their mind on this. They are really serious and fundamental beliefs for them. Candidly, it’s insulting and disprespectful for Obama to think that they would.
It breaks my heart that you are so pained by the disunity in our country and need this so badly.
But, Erin, there is no Santa Claus.
You may find other, more legitimate differences between the Obama and Clinton campaigns that will help you to choose between the two candidates.
But please – please – do not choose one candidate over the other based on the mistaken belief that it will lead national unity because, no matter how much you want to believe it will happen, it won’t happen.
Dear Erin,
Your letter touched me deeply and I felt the same reasons deeply. And I do plan to vote for Obama if he is allowed to be our choice.
But, the overwhelming urge to heal the divisions that rive our country cannot be fulfilled yet. We cannot be whole if the price is our soul. We cannot embrace philosophies that hold in contempt that which makes us human and makes us compassionate and caring.
The other side doesn’t want reconciliation, they want Victory, by any means. They really are bad guys, not just misguided citizens who can be educated to see the light.
If Barack or Hillary embraces them, it will be like clasping a snake to your bosum or letting the wolf come in the door.
The civil war is real and as much as we wish it, we cannot stand down from the battlements as our very freedoms are at stake.
Sorry, Hillary must continue in it. But she must proceed fairly.
At this point, I have to question whether Hillary is motivated by good intentions. She tries hard, but she forces herself and her ideas, resulting in disdain and divisiveness. There’s a place for her in government, just not as a Presidential candidate. If she could identify a forum where she could capitalize on her strengths and minimize her weaknesses, she’d be a lot more successful (and honored for it). But her recent behavior is showing me a side of her that I never appreciate seeing in any politician, and I hope she hasn’t tarnished herself so badly that it undermines her appeal **permanently** I do hope she bows out, the sooner the better.
Oh, shut the hell up, you wussies. She’s only 2 points behind and it’s only halftime.
And for the love of Almighty Ceiling Cat quit sucking Obama off for being a “Uniter” (sound familiar?). It’s disgustingly transparent.
The sad thing is she won’t step down because for the Clintons it’s not about what’s good for the nation, or even the party–it’s about winning at all costs.
Ah! Never have I seen such well-thought out comments on such a divisive subject. Well, this is a quiet example of what Obama can do..bring intelligent and intellectual discourse as a means of reaching a solution, unlike Hillary’s magic bag of solutions she has gatherd in her whatever number of years in the White House and Senate. Not every problem in the future have a solution in the past or present. The world is too complicated and complex for one to believe so. If thats the case, Iraq war would have been over in a year and you wouldn’t have accummalated credit card debt!!
Am from India and truly find Obama enlightening. In our own country, we have had dynasty politics (Nehru–Indira Gandhi–Rajiv Gandhi–now, its Rahul Gandhi). Trust me they wont let power go off their hands as they get too used to it. And make every other person competing look ineligible to even compete. Exactly what Hillary is trying to do with Obama. If she is talking experience on the other hand, she will get trounced by McCain who has two full generations of experience than her!!
Hillary Clinton is absolutely divisive. To say that she is not is to put your head in the sand. I have been a registered Democrat all of my adult life; I am 42 and have waited all my life for a woman to have a viable shot at the White House, but Hillary does not represent me. In fact, it’s become abundantly clear that she will only represent her own ambitions and will cross every ethical boundary to do so. She is already calling half of the country “insignificant” because they didn’t support her bid strongly enough. Barack Obama is our only hope in November, and ladies if you haven’t done so already, it’s time to get behind him.
Both I and my housemate (both white women late 30s) agree 100% with your call for Senator Clinto to step down.
For some reason you still get people very riled up, and not in the good way.
This applies to us too. We are so riled up by Senator Clinton’s approach to this campaign and our lived experiences of the Clinton years (NAFTA? the “Personal Responsibility” act whose acronym I can’t quite remember? total failure on promised universal healthcare? ugh UGH) …
Anyway, we are so riled up that we will NOT VOTE in the general election if she is the Democratic nominee. My housemate is a registered Democrat, I am not registered further left than Democrats. Actually my housemate is also threatening to vote for McCain. She disagrees with him across the board, but she is that disgusted with Clinton.
Please oh PLEASE Senator Clinton, please step down. Please. Please please please.
You have the correct request of Hillary, but for the wrong reasons. Hillary is nothing but power hungary. She has done nothing as Senator except earmark money that didn’t need to be spent. What has she ever done as Senator that gives her the experince to lead the country? I’m tired of hearing of her experience. She has no relavant experience except for playing the political game. She couldn’t control her husband and yet she is going to contol the country. Come on, get real. Admiring her, or supporting her because she is a woman is just wrong. Just like her husband, if her mouth is moving, she is lying!
Yesterday I voted for Obama, and I cried all the way home.
I believe that at this time, Hillary Clinton is the most qualified person to lead our country. But I also believe that given the current climate where right-wing ideologues and opportunists (Limbaugh, Coulter, et al) stymie progress by grinding good people into the dirt, President Hillary Clinton would spend her term fending off calls for impeachment over ridiculous, trivial matters. Heck, if they’ll even go after a war hero like McCain, they’re beyond sick and evil. But unfortunately, they are also loud, unwavering and tenacious. She would not be able to accomplish anything because though small in number, Congress panders to them.
I also believe that since the extreme Right hates John McCain, they will stay home in an election that pits him against Obama. But a McCain vs Clinton contest would bring them out in droves to vote against her, adversely effecting propositions in many states. Better that they should just stay home.
We have much work ahead to undo the disastrous Bush legacy. The only hope we have of forwarding a liberal agenda lies with Obama who is not carrying all the baggage Clinton is carrying.
I have taught Women’s Studies for over 25 years. The opportunity to elect the first woman president is beyond historic to me…it’s personal. I know one little vote in a primary doesn’t count for much, but it meant the world to me. And circumstances didn’t allow me to vote for Hillary, for the good of our country. And I offer Senator Clinton an apology for that.
Should she bow out? On the one hand, it’s a ridiculous thought. Imagine if John Kerry and John Edwards were battling it out this closely…no one would even think to suggest that one of them bow out. But on the other hand..yes. Please bow out, get back to work in the Senate, and lead us from there where you are less vulnerable to the Right Wing Conspiracy against you.
I will be much more forgiving of our foremothers who faced touch choices during the battle for suffrage, like whether or not to support the 15 Amendment! It’s easy to see how things should have been done with 20-20 hindsight.
It has been really interesting to see how many dems turned on her when Obama stepped in and it’s odd that they are using the same arguments the republicans used before. None of which were valid.
She is not Bill and it’s sexist to say so. She has indeed had a thirty five year career starting when she organized her first community service with other students who provided daycare for free to immigrant workers.
I also find it interesting that when it’s time for dems to step up and stop bowing to the republicans they go with the new guy instead of the ONLY woman we have had who is qualified to get this country out of this mess.
Me? I see Obama running a “divisive” game on her when in fact if he had waited to run, every single one of us would have been squarely behind her. He is only 47 and has a lot to learn in this game…sooo why not go as her vp, then we could potentially have sixteen years of dems!! Why on earth HE ran against her right now thus splitting the party and then say SHE is divisive?? It’s beyond me.
This woman has been done a terrible diservice when other dems by into the same rhetoric the republicans threw at her.
I won’t vote Obama now because far, far too many people are falling for an old republican trick here and IF he loses?? Then he’s lost us all the White House. Together on the same ticket nobody could have beat them. AT ALL.
And it’s interesting to note that his “sudden” rise coincided with being right before super Tuesday. Every single major media news network head has contributed hundreds of thousands to his campaign. Ever wonder HOW it was that he was suddenly the “angel” and she the “devil” for no reason out of the blue???
Ron Paul is suing saying that four or five media moguls served up their choices in this election and all the sheeple had their opinion manipulated. It sure looks that way.
He’s not ready in the middle of this mess….but, if people don’t stop letting the media who are literally selling you who is good and who is not based on what the rich fat cats think we should have then they win! And sooner rather than later we get more republicans in the White House…why are republicans sitting his caucuses??? And they ARE but, they won’t vote for him in the general…hmmmmm?
I will sit this one out if they get away with this manipulation of the media and our choice is not really a choice at all. I will write her name on the ballot in protest of their crap even if she loses the nomination.
Please do not step down. America is in for a bad wake up call if this election keeps going in this direction! The youth of this country can learn alot from many of us who have lived through many things in our lives that they have not experienced yet. Don’t listen to this “junk” Hillary!! Press On!! We are right behind you. (Last time I looked – we never had a first lady say – this was the first time they were proud of America! Real patriotic. That is the ignorance of race and youth- not exprience. Thought this was not about race- unify the country then- why because someone’s husband is doing well in the primaries, for the moment, do they feel we are a great country. Never heard Hillary ever say this, or Jackie Kennedy, or any one else!!!
Look at the comments above. What will this country turn out in the future! What a disappointment from our youth. We took voting seriously and would never talk so unrespectfully to our elders as these B.O. followers do!! Your parents would be embarrassed for you! And so is your country. This is not about unifying – this is division!!!!! And purely racial! If Hillary pulls this out somehow, will all of you B.O. supporters be as unified as the rest of us will be to our party– I think not! What a shame!
Ruth wrote: She is not Bill and it’s sexist to say so.
Okay, but I think it’s important to be clear and open about what’s actually going on. From what I see, Hillary Clinton is claiming a long experience base that for *sure* includes (not limited to, but for sure includes) what she did on the basis of her husband being in office.
No, she is not Bill — but given her experience-claims, I feel she needs to be held accountable for those claims in a consistent way. IMO it is wrong for her to claim that experience when it serves her and disown it when it doesn’t (eg, her recent comments about NAFTA and how she wasn’t in the Senate when it was passed).
I also think it’s important, when talking about sexism, to look at the full picture of how sexism operates and how it intersects with other systems of domination.
In Hillary Clinton’s case, she is a white heterosexual woman whose proximity to real institutionalized power was based in part on her white male husband’s centrality in it. This is an intersection of sexism (eg, why was it him and not her to begin with?) with her white privilege and heterosexual privilege.
She is standing not only in a vacuum as some sort of unraced universalized “woman.” Instead, she is a white hetero woman whose own experience-claims are partly based a specific intersection of sexism (where she is oppressed), racism and heterosexism (where she is privileged). This is a reality that to me is clearly visible in her trajectory and her claims — her actual location in these various systems of domination has concretely shaped her access to power and recognition.
Unfortunately, despite all the hard hard work of feminists of color who have for a long long time been articulating accurate feminist analyses that don’t take things in a vacuum … unfortunately the abstracting/universalizing/disconnecting perspective is still in operation in various places and has come into play for some supporters of Hillary Clinton. But I feel like a conversation about these things can’t just be about sexism alone but about the other areas too and how they intersect with patriarchy — if not, it is just plain inaccurate to reality, IMO.
I find it truly sad that you have chosen Mr. OBAMA’S ANOREXIC RESUME over HILLARY CLINTON’S SUBSTANTIAL CALL FOR REAL CHANGE. But I find it TRAGIC that you insist you care at all about Women’s rights. You will recall that Hillary Clinton bravely confronted Chinese Officials in 1995 and raising her lone brave true caring Feminist Voice shouted: WOMEN’S RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS. Sen. Obama is a mere SHOWHORSE. I want a WORKHORSE with substance who understands that Women and Children’s issues are the key to the future. She’s proven herself. And you repay her by voting for a guy who has to borrow words to mesmerize his Cult followers of the feel-good Paris Hilton type of substance’….McCain will devour this poor little man in no time. Have you read T.S. Elliot’s THE HOLLOW MAN! Well, you got Him. And his self-importance and rock-star charisma is accompanied by arrogance and deep ignorance about issues that really affect families. He’s in it for the bucks and has a donated Rezko hous to prove it! Oprah, Rezko and suspended-sentence Teddy [of the Mary Jo drowning fame of ’69[ will regret the next 4 years of repugnant presidency under Warlord McCain. Good Luck and may you stop being so NAIVELY MISGUIDED AS TO WHAT A REAL FEMINIST SHOULD BE VOTING FOR. You’ll know in 20 years ….
I completely agree. Step down, for you, me and everyone who believes in change and the possibility of bringing all of us together.
It’s strange to live in Canada and have to worry about US politics. Yet America’s policies affect the rest of the world. Americans seem to worry mostly about themselves, and sadly, also seem to be bound in a vicious cycle of being led by their media. It’s strange to ask anyone to step down, because it seems to be a basic human right in america to have the freedom to run, and the freedom to choose? I wished that the choices people finally make will be based on what they really know, instead of what is fed to them through their very flashy and emotionally manipulative media.
I am a 68 yr old white male feminist, who was also very much involved with the civil rights movement of the 60s and 70s. I have a scar above my right eye and a bullet hole in my left arm gained during this period, merely because I was supporting what was right. I was no “hero”, my involement was pre-ordained because I was “raised” by heroic parents who fought long before I did. What I did was merely a follow-up to their struggle for fairness and equality.
However, today I am totally dismayed and frankly “heartbroken” to see Black Americans voting along racial lines. I swore to doubters prior to the primaries that it would never happen, I argued that Black Americans were better and fairer than that!
As to the feminist aspect: I also have been a feminist since a child, starting with my mother(who was an accomplished pilot) not being able to join the WW11 “Women’s Ferry Corp” because she had a child (me). Men also were parents of course, but that was irrevelent. The fact she was denied, while knowing that she was as good as any, haunted her the rest of her life, but did not damper her activism at all. Merely made her more determined.
I married a feminist, a woman who well could have been my mother’s daughter in every aspect. She founded the first Women’s Political Caucus in our area of the South and brought me into the women’s movement of the 70s with the advent of the ERA. I have been involved since.
I gave speeches, campaigned, did all I could to get the ERA passed in an area of the country that was probably just as hostile to the ERA as it was to the Civl Rights Act. I again was only doing what was “right and Fair”. Again nothing heroic or noble, merely honoring my “up-bringing”.
I am nobody important, just a dismayed old man who has tried his best to support both racial minorities and women in their quest for equality. I have done so against, and in spite of, my own race and gender because my race and gender were the ones “holding both groups back”.
Today I see (with some noteable exceptions, like my wife and other very fair-minded women and blacks) both Blacks and “so called, self ordained feminists”, most of whom are too young to have been involved in either movement personally, demeaning and abandoning Hillary Clinton based on some so called “wonderous movement of change in the air”. I find it shocking, inexplicable, vacuous, and a true insult to all who have “paved the way” for any progess that has has been made for either women or Black Americans.
Hillary Clinton, in my opinion, has never done anything to deserve the horrendous treatment she has received from the press, the right, misogynists, certain blacks, and now “so called feminists”! She has tried (as her record proves) to do what is right for this country and ALL of its citizens. She has of course made mistakes but none to warrant the irrational “pounding” she has and is taking. Even with her mistakes, her record is proof that she has at least tried. When we really try, any of us will sometimes fail. Had we at least helped her fight for healthcare approx. 14 years ago, we might not have it as an issue today. She has never stopped trying, she is strong in the face of all odds, she is determined, and she is right about this country needing a leader, not an inspiration.
For me, perservering through the ad-hominem “beatings” she has taken and is taking (her clothes, she failed in her healthcare effort, she divides, her laugh, her emotions, her lack of fervor, her makeup, her wrinkles, ad finitum) is adequate proof that she is strong enough, determined enough, and certainly brilliant enough to “rescue” this “beaten up” country, if it is at all possible for anyone to do so following Bush!
In my opinion, women (especially those who call themselves feminists) should be doing everything possible to come to her aid, as opposed to calling for her to “roll-over and surrender”. That is what far too many women have historically been doing all of my 68 years.
It is amazing that today, so many women, such as some of those on this blog, still feel the need for some charismatic man, regardless of how empty his (shared and borrowed) rhetoric may be, to lead them out of the “wilderness”.
We men, all of us, have done nothing but screw things up for ages, while holding women and minorities at bay with empty promises!
It is high time we tried an era of Women’s governance. I cannot help but believe it will not only be much different, but also much better for all of us and the world.
I apologize for the length of this post and any statements that may seem offensive. I appreciate the opportunity to be able to share an old man’s views and frustrations.
A few foot notes, if I may, to try to explain my frustration:
1. 1961, Ithink the year Obama was born, is the year I got this scar over my eye at a Montgomery bus station. I was shot approx. 9 mo. later in ’62 in a white citizens council “drive by” shooting.
2. The Civil Rights movment of that time was inspiring, brave and necessary. However, it was also very sexist: For confirmation do a search for Diane Nash, a young black woman, with beautiful green eyes, that I had a 2 yr crush on. She could have persuaded me to fight a windmill, not that hard considering my life-long “Don Quixote” complex, however she could have inspired me to “tilt” at them perphaps 2 at a time!
Diane, Ella Baker, and other young women were the “backbone”. Ella even accused MLK of being “afraid” to ride a bus. They also very much resented the sexism and movement dominance of the male, religious leaders (SCLC)
Please if you will, to verify that I am not just blowing smoke:
Do a search of Diane, Ella, Anne Moody, Gloria Richardson, Paula Gidding’s writings and see how they were used and “pushed back”.
In truth, then and now, regardless of their efforts and contributions women were still pushed to the back of the bus.
It is time for women to totally step forward! Not all women are white, black, brown, yellow or otherwise, However, women of any color are ALL WOMEN. It is time to stop subjugating yourselves to the “process”, and start subjugating the “process” to you.
Michael
I got all excited for a moment. I thought you were asking Senator Clinton to resign from office. That I’d like to see. NY needs a stronger Democrat who actually writes and reads legislation.
You wrote the letter I wanted to write.
Go on girl. I applaud you for this. May I copy this and post on Hillary’s website please?
I’ll sign your name and my name.
While I do not agree with some of the thoughts of the post, I do agree with the general sentiment. I am an independent voter and have been sick of the two party system for some time. Most of the time what I have seen is the same old politics from both sides and it disgusts me. I won’t vote for Hillary because she us part of that establishment. It’s not because she’s woman, it’s because she’s unethical and dishonest.
Obama has shown to be capable of massive ammounts of fundraising and alot of grass roots support. He’s shown that he is the heir apparent, while Hillary’s now on the ropes. Is it because she’s a woman? No, it’s because she’s more of the same tired establishment we’ve had to deal with time and time again.
And lastly, I for one want my son to be able to remember a president with a last name other than Clinton or Bush.
I wish people would be honest with themselves and just admit that they are not ready for awoman to lead this country.AS a black female i was never torn between Obama and Hillary,she was always and still is my choice.Obama is too green.This is for the presidency of this country.Obama is not a rock star and this is not a rock concert, but many people seem to be treating it as it is one.People speak of change, but true change would be a woman,because who has been at the helm all these years?Men of course.Women we get exactly what we deserve sometimes, because we will not support each other.We wont set aside the catty and petty ways long to enough make a statement.WE BLEW IT!No one deserves the nastiness that Hillary has endured.I have yet to see the media go after Obama.I for one will not be hopping on the Obama bandwagon,that is surely going to miss that curve and go over the edge,giving the republicans another 4 years.
Kristy points out the truth of Erin’s post! Kristy is a rabid hater of the Republican party and continues to support Clinton because she believes that Clinton would harm the conservatives more than Obama would.
Yeah, that’s a good plan; vote for a candidate because of the harm that candidate can cause. You might as well join Al-Qaeda at that point.
I notice you call yourself a writer – “nation’s” and “it’s” in the 6th and 5th to last paragraphs both should not have apostrophes.
Questions we need to ask ourselves as women-
1. What effect will it have on our country, and our daughters, if the first female President is one of the most polarizing figures in America?
2. Do you really want to spend the next four years with half the country disliking and trying undermine the President?
Frankly that’s how we’ve spent the last eight years, and while I might like Hillary, I’m tired of living in a country where half the people hate the President. Even if I;m not one of them, we still won’t get anything done.
This isn’t about women waiting a while longer, Hillary has cracked the door wide open, she’s demonstrated that America is more than ready for a female Commander In Chief.
This is about male versus female anymore, this is about who is the single best person to heal our nation, and restore our standing in the world.
And this is chance for Hillary Clinton to bow out with dignity and grace, and to be a true leader and to serve her country, by helping us create the world we all so desperately want.
I agree wholeheartedly. Hillary has a notoriously inflated ego that precludes her from reading the writing on the wall. It would be a testament to her personal growth if she were to retire from politics and live a life of quiet dignity for the few remaining years she has left. Bush will have left a destructive legacy 8 years in the making and it will take the work of all Americans coming together to rebuild from such a catastrophe. However, the brunt of the work to be done will be our so-called “leaders”. Let’s see if Hillary has what it takes to bring change and step down before further harm is done.
Hillary divides… but what woman wouldn’t? If not now, when will it be our turn. Shouldn’t the nation have to face its sexism at some point?
who the heck are you .. ???
you aren’t qualified to kiss hillary’s boots … so take your ‘humble’ request and shove it where your head already is….