Women Why I, a
Feminist, Prefer Obama
by Elayne Clift
Now comes the
crucial Pennsylvania primary of the 2008 US Presidential polls
(scheduled for April 22, 2008). As Hillary races neck-and-neck with
Barack Obama towards the Golden Fleece awaiting the winner at the White
House, let me add my voice to those who are struck by the similarity,
and the vehemence, of many of Ms Clinton's most ardent endorsements, the
ones coming from "older women".
Let's be clear: The women endorsing Hillary Clinton are, by and large,
not only older; they are the leaders and foot soldiers of Second Wave
feminism, and they are invested in the outcome of this extraordinary bid
for the presidency in a way that is unique to them.
I am of that generation of feminists and I, too, was in the trenches
(you should pardon the language of militarism) as we fought for equality
and justice in the 1970s and 1980s. I know all too well how difficult
and disheartening our struggle was as we paved the way for the Third
Wave, which now looks back on us with limited understanding of what we
were up against as they reject our "victimization."
So as I watch women like Dolores Huerta, Maya Angelou, Gloria Feldt, and
Madeleine Albright vigorously endorse Hillary Clinton I know where they
are coming from. I can understand why Gloria Steinem wrote the
widely-circulated 'New York Times' op. ed. in which she basically argued
that it's time for a woman president and that we shouldn't have to wait,
yet again, for black men to pre-empt women in making history.
But, what's wrong with this picture? Well, at the risk of being
pilloried despite being a card-carrying feminist, I think what's wrong
is that these women - these staunch foremothers, all of whom I respect
and admire enormously - are acting like knee-jerk feminists. They are
forfeiting their normally impressive critical thinking skills and
checking their analytical brilliance at the door because war-weary, they
want a woman president, NOW!
I am reminded of what I once called knee-jerk Zionists in another
commentary, and as a Jew myself, I took plenty of hits for that too. In
that essay, I argued that otherwise liberal, highly intelligent and
compassionate members of my tribe were forfeiting their claim to
superior suffering and resounding reason by endorsing unreasonable
restrictions on Palestinians caught in the vice of oppression coming
from a people whose collective history should, in my view, make them
more sanguine as they strive for peace in the Middle East. Oh, the hate
mails! Now I have long-time, much-loved friends calling me traitor,
betrayer, lapsed feminist and more - or not calling me at all.
I am also reminded of the fight for affirmative action, which like
feminism, stood for equality and justice. But affirmative action did not
mean hiring less competent or less trustworthy people just because they
were black; it supported the ideal of justice only if there were two
people of equal ability applying for the same job. It is a fair analogy,
I think, to claim that in this critical election, we Democrats (and
others desperately seeking real "change") must choose carefully between
two viable, capable and attractive candidates on the basis of which is
better suited to lead and unify the nation at this deeply important time
in our history.
I am an Obama supporter because as much as I'd love to see a woman in
the White House, I believe strongly and without doubt, that Barack Obama
is better suited to lead us into a new era of recovery and
reconciliation at home and abroad, to offer hope and help to those most
in need, and to guide solid, lasting social change (after cleaning up
the Bush mess). I believe his vision is genuinely grounded in the
principles of equality and justice. I think that vision is free from
narcissism and I trust it is not born of personal ambition that looms
larger than political will.
I believe the reason young voters - feminists, social activists, males
as well as females - are experiencing their political awakening this
year is because they are not mired in the polemics of the past. Their
aspirations may be the same as that of their parents' generation, but
their personal experience is different. They can look ahead with the
belief that rather than doing battle they just might be able to effect
change through dialogue, diplomacy, and good deeds in a diverse and
ever-shrinking world. They may well make the difference in an election
year, which pits past against future.
As much as I want women in leadership, I'll vote for that, which
shouldn't brand me an anti-feminist. It simply suggests I'm a concerned,
thoughtful constituent who can see beyond gender in deciding who I want
effecting a sensible withdrawal from Iraq, nominating Supreme Court
justices, reforming health care, saving the environment, and yes,
answering the telephone at three o'clock in the morning.
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