I don't often wax political here. But this has been brewing for me for a couple of days. I was further encouraged by this excellent article by Judith Warner in today's New York Times.
I have supported Barack Obama since he first announced his candidacy. Rhonda and I both have. I remember, not too long ago, thinking that there was not much chance he would ever make it to the convention let alone to November. I still hoped. The last week has been highly emotional for me; it is a remarkable thing to see something you never, ever, thought possible. For me, it was never a choice between a black man and a woman as the token "firsts." My choice of presidential candidate was informed by a sincere belief in the policies, beliefs, and experience that this man embodies. It still is.
And yet, I have felt a lot of guilt, as a feminist, for not supporting Clinton's campaign. I have asked myself if it is my own, internalized sexism that has guided my decisions. I have wondered if I am equally influenced by some kind of liberal guilt that encourages a vote for the more- oppressed minority group (a dangerous paradigm that leads to comparing and weighing minority experiences).
What I have had the chance to realize is that I can still support and believe in Obama while recognizing the deeply embedded sexism that has been a part of the coverage of and response to Clinton's campaign. (For a really depressing glimpse of this coverage, take a look at this video montage .) There is a part of me that is genuinely sad at the fact that a woman is not going to win this race. And yet, I did not vote for her.
It is really dangerous to begin to believe that Hillary has been the subject of more bias and discrimination than Obama. I think that it is simply more acceptable, in our culture, to mock, critique, and objectify women out loud. Obama, too, has been subject to a complex set of racial critiques, (not the least important being a critique of him as a light-skinned, over-educated elitist). But to mock him publicly for being black (or for traits assumed to be part of being black) is not how these racist responses are happening. They are more subtle. But, my point here is not to claim the victimhood of both candidates. This is not a productive or worthwhile way of thinking about these things...
Instead, I have to continually remind myself of the ways in which sexism and racism are deeply interconnected. They work together, folks. So, for me, this means that I am unapologetically hopeful for Obama's chances in November. I am certain of my commitment and political choices. And, I am deeply aware of the many vectors of sexism and racism that are informing this campaign.
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2 comments:
what a thoughtful post. i too have supported Barack from the beginning and have at times also felt the big feminist guilt.
i was crying and clapping when he made his speech on tuesday night:) what an amazing journey it's been.
oh, and i ordered some obama swag:)
thanks for sharing your thoughts so eloquently!
Interesting perspective, Amy. I've supported Hillary since the beginning (dare I admit before she even announced; I was hopeful for many years). But I do think you're right about the ways in which each candidate has been mistreated in the press. So many questions about Obama's blackness and so many unflattering reflections of Hillary as a middle-aged woman (not something our pop culture embraces at all). It strikes me as both poignant and a little intense that this year's election is quite so historical in that a black man and a woman would both run for the presidency. I don't actually think that either of them is that different from each other as far as liberal ideals are concerned. I also don't believe it's possible to compare the obstacles that any kind of minority might face in this country. To say one person has suffered more is an argument that undermines the collective experience of anyone who has fought the odds regardless of the outcome. Obama’s getting the nomination is bittersweet to me. I am proud to see a black man in this position after the parade of elder white men who have long created the presidential pantheon. But I'm also left believing that the political world is still very much a boy's club. This tarnishes Obama's victory a bit.
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