Not my kind of feminism
Gloria Steinem claimed that women who support Bernie Sanders do so to meet men. She has apologized for it since--and far be it from me to deny any actual apologies made for an asshole statement--but isn't this the kind of statement that we would have thought was never in her vocabulary as a feminist--as one of our primary feminists? And the statement that preceded it, "When you’re young, you’re thinking: ‘Where are the boys? The boys are with Bernie,’ ” is an incredible slap to young women, M...
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Stephanie
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Feb 10, 2016 08:03AM
As offended as I was by both of these comments, I saw it as a fear reaction. Hillary seemed like a shoo-in in 2008 until Obama came and upset her chances. Now she appears to be having the same thing happen by Bernie Sanders. She has to be wondering what the heck happened...again. It's early in the game and she might recover, but not with promotion/supporters like this. Suffice to say, Trump tactics won't work for her (they shouldn't work for him, if you think about it) and this attention is not going to help her cause.
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Great post. Feminism is about the right to make our own choice. It is not about females always being the correct choice but rather about the opportunity to debate and come to a decision without emphasizing gender.
Thank you! I have never voted for anyone that I hadn't researched and agreed with on most points--no matter what their gender. To be told to vote for someone because of their gender disrespects me, and other women. I would have hoped for better from Ms Steinem and Ms Albright. I vote with my brain, not my "woman parts"...
I wouldn't want a man to be chosen simply because he's male anymore than I believe in voting for a woman because she's a woman.
This is just so beautifully written. Preach!
I have my issues with most of our presidential candidates and am rather fed up with the year-long process of an election. ( I think we should have a law limiting the process to 3 months like they do in the UK!) I have very conflicting political views on different issues, but that's just plain offensive. My love life has NOTHING to do with politics.
If I hadn't seen the video, I wouldn't have believed Gloria Steinem said that. It's such a shame. This election has me conflicted; I was certain I was going to be 100% for Hillary, but I think she's learned to play the game a little too well. At the same time, she's more qualified and sane than pretty much every candidate, and it would break the greatest glass ceiling. On the other hand, I feel like Hillary not even being nominated (again), it'll be a blow to any woman's chances. If Hillary can't do it, if Americans don't believe Hillary is strong enough, then who can?Also, while there is the suggestion that Madam Albright thinks women go to hell for not supporting women, that is a line she is known to use, and I think it's something we need to remember. Women can be misogynists. Women are raised to be misogynists often times, and they're praised for being so, because that divides us, and we need to be united to dismantle patriarchy. Misogynistic women who say they don't need feminism... are a lot of the same women who add to the stereotype of women are catty and hateful. I'm not saying you need to vote for Hillary Clinton, or any woman who is running for election. I'm saying don't be one of the women (or men) who won't vote for a woman just because she's a woman, and don't defend that attitude. There are going to be women who vote for Hillary because she is a woman, just like there were black people who voted for Obama because he is black, and I'm sure there are Jews who will vote for Bernie because he's Jewish. That's not so bad. It's NOT voting for them for that reason that the problem arises. It's women who slut shame other women. It's women who fight another woman's right to choose. It's women who are more concerned with how Hillary dresses than with what she has said and done. Aren't we past that yet?
And also, politics definitely affects my love life. The personal is political. I won't date someone who doesn't respect me enough to recognize my right to choose. I won't date someone who thinks it's silly to fight for equal pay. I won't have a child with someone who would disown a child if s/he were gay, let alone deny them all the protections and benefits of a legal marriage. If you haven't reached the point yet where these things matter in your personal life and your love life, I hope you reach it soon and join the fight. This is our livelihoods and our well being. Politics should factor into your love life, as it factors into every other aspect.
One more thing, use a condom. Zika is coming.
Yes yes yes to all of this. It's wonderful when one of your favourite authors is also a champion of social justice.
A bit late to this conversation. I was deeply offended by the comments of both Madame Albright and Ms. Steinem. I refuse to vote for a candidate "just because they are...(a woman, black, Latino, etc.) I thoroughly vet all my choices. I've done so since I was 18 and eligible to vote. My dad (a feminist himself, long before the word was coined) always told me, "You've got a brain. Use it. Don't let anyone tell you what you should believe, who you should vote for, any of that."
Other feminists have said they vote with their brain not their vagina... my brain will be against Hillary until the end of time... I vote for trustworthy people and Hillary has spent decades showing herself to be untrustworthy and dangerous... every word out of her mouth is a lie... not the characteristics feminists want to promote. There will be other female candidates... this is the wrong one to promote feminism in the US.
