Why Should Black Women Be Excited About The Prospect Of The First Female President?
So Hillary Clinton has a lot of support among women. I have no doubt that her female followers are mostly white. As black women, we really don’t have much to gain from having “the first woman president.” The reason I feel this way is because being a woman has never been an official problem if you’re black. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that when you are black, being a woman is a help rather than a hindrance. That is true whether we want to admit it or not. So that brings me to the issue of feminism in general. As I see it, white women needed the feminist movement because they faced savage inequalities as women. That is simply not so for black women. Any discriminatory problems we had or have now are for the most part due to racism. Thus, I can understand why a white woman would be excited about Clinton’s possibilities as President of the United States.
So I must ask a tough question but with all sincerity. What benefit has the feminist movement been to black women? Why should I give a fig about having the first female president or the goals of feminism in general? From my understanding, the feminist movement was and is basically a white woman’s domain. Is that necessarily a problem that stems from racism? Absolutely not. BUT, I would be amiss if I did not admit one thing: I’d rather see Hillary Clinton in the White House than any republican at this point. So in that respect, I’d give fig.
Good post…
Culturally sound and informative…
You actually touched on a thread that I had never thought of…
It is apparent that the feminist movement is dead… Regrettably not racism…
Hummmmm
J.
Yes but if Barak Obama wins, that opens the door for women of ALL races not just white women, Hillary is no better then the rest of the OLD man politicians that have been running this country from the beginng, She plays their games well, divide and conqueor. She uses the race card to her advantage and pits one against the other. THAT is what keeps the majority of common people in line to their bidding. Obama knows we have to work together to fix what is wrong with our society.
BTW
I’m a white 58 yr. old woman.
Culturallyconscious,
Thanks for the compliments and you are so right. Feminist goals pale in comparison to goals against racism.
Maryblu,
Exactly. And some even criticize Obama for not paying enough attention to black issues. I’d wager that not giving his full undivided attention to black issues is what’s bothering his critics. Obama knows that he needs to be the president of the United States, not simply one group within the US.
This is silly. Hilliary has a record and spoken in support of legislation for issues that affect black women: subsidized child care, health care coverage, tuition relief, etc. Remember, Obama was a State Senator just a few years ago, he has done very little as a Senator for Illinois (he jumped into a presidential run the second his key unlocked the Senate door). Your argument is an upside down argument. Don’t think of Barack as a savor, the last black savor died in the 60′s. We’ve had lots of incredibly successful black politicians and this is all people want. Let’s set oursleves higher. Obama needs more experience, more proven committments, more action than talk.
Hillary 08
hbemis,
Thank you for commenting,. However, black people do not need a black savior. We need a politician that will govern according to the will of the people. That would be true for all people in the US. Also, all the issues you mentioned are not unique to black women but ideals that democratic candidates would champion for all. I find that many Obama opponents jump on the experience bandwagon (as though he has none). Hillary has proven that her stance on issues are inconsistant (take the war in Iraq for example). Also, she was for NAFTA when her husband pushed it through, now she sees problems with it. Do we really want a president who flip flops? No.
I am for Obama because i think he is a better choice than Hillary.
If it came to a choice between Hillary and McCain , I would chose Hillary
HOWEVER after the way Hillary has campaigned against Obama, I would hold my nose as I voted for her.
HOWEVER after the way Hillary has campaigned against Obama, I would hold my nose as I voted for her.
gasdocpol,
The way she has campaigned has caused me to dislike her completely. I understand and respect that many people will still vote for her, though. It appears though that they do so in order to vote against McCain rather than for Hillary.