SHALL A WOMAN LEAD THEM? For women, unity must come before Harriet's currency or Hillary's presidency
buzzz worthy. . .
RHETORICAL ESSAY/ANALYSIS
By Mona Austin
It was not until the election of President Barack Obama that African Americans could truly believe on of their own could be occupy the presidency. In fact, when Obama won, people started to believe anything was possible in politics. This could be the year that changes everything for women in America. With the prospect of a woman being elected as president, for the first time in America, women having it all is a very real possibility. Are women handling their pinnacle moment to reap the benefits for all women's rights? I don't think so. Conversations about women's accomplishments and worthiness to appear on money and lead the nation, yet not in ways that would expand the narrative of a "feminine ideal" in society across the spectrum of American life.
Two bold, historic voices are currently at the center of women's rights conversations -- Harriet Tubmand and Hillary Clinton. Over a hundred years ago it was Harriet Tubman who re-enters to discussion. Today, Hillary Clinton is running on a campaign to finally get women equal pay for equal work, among other key issues that directly impact women.
Before we place a woman's face on U.S. currency (Tubman, a slave emancipator was selected in an online vote to replace slave holder Andrew Jackson ) or elect the first female president ( Clinton), the state of women's social relations and inner-gender discrimination in America deserves more attention.
Women are often pitted against each other based on personal choices and classcism. Those conflicts can trickle over into public life. The media has covered topics such as stay-at-home vs. working moms, married vs. single women, highlighting the division in female-to-female relations. Such women embroiled debates rage on as we now enter the realm of a catch all "new age feminism" that complicates getting there as one cohesive body.
The traditional versus non-traditional role of women has evolved with the demands of the times we live in. A WebMD article states, "Employment figures for married mothers with children under age 6 have dropped 7% to 10% since the peak years of 1997 to 2000, depending on the income group." Overall, the work participation rate for all women dropped 1.5% from 2000 to 2004, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics." Today, women make up nearly half of the American workforce. A portion of that number are employed by choice, while some work out of necessity, juggling two roles of wife and mother.
How womanhood is defined and where we derive notions of feminism vary. I know all women are not the same and am not attempting to stereotype us. Discrimination is the constant no matter how unique we are. When discrimination comes for one of your own it can be especially difficult to handle, but if you are running for office handling it is a must.
This is one of the obstacles Hillary Clinton faces as a candidate for the presidency. She talks a good game about fighting for families, but the truth is her work has focused on children, which of course is a by product of family, but in all of her years of service she does not have specific track records on fighting for women's rights. The Lilly Ledbetter equal pay issue is currently high on her agenda.
Drawing women voters across all ages and demographics remains an issue for Clinton because a significant portion of women question whether she is loyal to women's interests.
I spoke to a well-educated, forty something year old attorney's daughter who may not vote for Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, saying. "She lost me with the cookie comment. I bake cookies!"
Like many modern women the cookie baker has retained a traditional role and a comment Mrs. Clinton made years ago stayed with her.
I can completely relate to making adjustments and sacrifices for family over work, standing by my husband and baking cookies. Unlike the then First Lady Clinton, I take pride in living the balance of being a well-rounded professional, wife and mother. I didn't notice the disconnect among women until I became married with children, spending some of my time as a working and as a stay-at-home mom. I never felt inadequate about either choice.
In retrospect, I believe I got my resolve to be the type of woman I wanted to be instilled in me at an early age in part from fragrance company Enjoli.
In 1980, Enjoli introduced the classic women-can-have-it all commercial featuring beautiful actress Sybil Shepherd transforming into whomever she needed to be. As an 8 year-old I recall leaping up to mimic the actress every time the spot aired. I shadowed the woman's every move, just as loud and proud, singing her every word, which I know by heart to this day: I can bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan. . .and never let you forget you're a man. Cause I'm a woman. Enjoli! As she appeared in a different outfit from an apron to a cocktail dress, I mentally changed my wardrobe. The commercial visually communicated that I could be what I wanted to be and that message resonated with me early on. From this spot I learned a real woman has super powers, she wears an invisible cape and can do anything she sets her mind to! Today reality has set in. (With all of the demands that come with parenting two active children and working, I retired my cape and any notions that I was a super woman too.)
She was a beautiful, smart, sexy, multi-tasker. She was the future me.
I don't give Shepherd all the credit for shaping my my feminine identity. Moreso than any outside influence, the women in my family and community were also responsible for shaping my identity as a woman. The majority of them worked outside of the home, kept their dwelling places clean, prepared dinner daily and raised their families, except their fabulous attire and Marilyn Monroe like hair styles were reserved until Sunday morning service.
This generation is watching the campaign like a commercial or better yet a reality show, taking cues from the messages Clinton sends about her role as a woman leader.
Clinton's campaign slogan is "Make America Whole." There is a sensitivity in those words that I would argue is what makes the leadership of a woman versus a man distinct. In contrast, her chief Republican opponent, Donald Trump has already begun to apply sarcasm about the slogan as if it a lesser or weak idea.
Like never before, the world needs women who are concerned about how justice is served to their fellow-women, whether we are healed and whole, well and free AND yes, who care about what's happening to our babies (i.e., future generations). The news headlines are screaming for our touch, our attention. Who is mothering the madness that befalls us and where is the tribe of heroines and healers in our upper ranks? Lest we forget in our efforts to compete in male dominated environments, women are healers, teachers, deliverers, many of whom are naturally endowed with qualities that are prescribed to bring loving balance to the universe. Let us not lose our ability to tap into the feminine aspects of our being to actively induce change that protects the flowering of humanity. It's our mojo.
I wonder if Hillary knows she possesses this mojo every time she walks up to a podium wearing one of those modern woman pant suits. Or has she has sold out with the mentality that she has to be like them to beat them.
A woman's understanding and execution of being equal to men in the public sphere can't ever mean she is to reduce aspects of her femininity to gain respect or power. Not once have I seen Hillary Clinton wear a skirt while campaigning for the 2016 presidency. The last time I saw her in a skirt was when she delivered her concession speech at the 2008 Democratic convention in Denver, CO. Consistently wearing pants sends a consistent subliminal message about running for the highest role in the land. Clinton's wardrobe is saying to her all male opponents, "I can wear the pants too!", albeit a metaphor or equality. Ironically, she should feel confident wearing either pants, skirts or dresses as our current FLOTUS Michelle Obama does and she did when she was the First Lady. Women don't have to sacrifice the feminine to exist and thrive at the heights of leadership in this country. Embrace femininity as a beneficial point of distinction that gives one an edge instead of a burden that holds one back.
But this is not about "skirts in the Oval Office" as much as it is about an attitude of privilege and the presumption that women will support her automatically based on her track record, gender or marriage to a popular past president. Voters, both male and female, are more interested in what candidates are capable of doing for them now instead of their past accomplishments.
Which women is Hillary Clinton fighting for? The ones who, like her, are degreed and work outside of the home? Or the ones who "bake cookies" and don't have a 401k plan to fall back on?
In our quest for equality, let us not forget who we are. WOMEN ARE NOT MEN. MEN ARE NOT WOMEN. We must meet on common ground and acknowledge and accept this truth.
Women have to hold other women who want our support accountable to fighting for both our public and private needs. We have to send a clear message that what you have done for women's rights in the past is not enough. What you are doing and will continue to do is equally as important and we want receipts, not lip service.
As women, our WOMB separates us to commit wonderful natural acts, namely to bring life, nurture it and help it grow. We need women in leadership who care about the children in our communities both locally and globally and the future generations of other women. She has long played the role of working woman. and a woman who cares for our children. Clinton gets points for that.
Getting recognized on currency won't amount to anything unless women unite to invest in our collective plight for respect and equality among men and other women. Electing a woman to lead the nation will have not value if women collectively do no demand that all our needs in the public sphere are met.
If Hillary wins, I want the first woman president to be just as proud to represent women as she is to fill a role traditionally filled by men.
RHETORICAL ESSAY/ANALYSIS
By Mona Austin
It was not until the election of President Barack Obama that African Americans could truly believe on of their own could be occupy the presidency. In fact, when Obama won, people started to believe anything was possible in politics. This could be the year that changes everything for women in America. With the prospect of a woman being elected as president, for the first time in America, women having it all is a very real possibility. Are women handling their pinnacle moment to reap the benefits for all women's rights? I don't think so. Conversations about women's accomplishments and worthiness to appear on money and lead the nation, yet not in ways that would expand the narrative of a "feminine ideal" in society across the spectrum of American life.
Two bold, historic voices are currently at the center of women's rights conversations -- Harriet Tubmand and Hillary Clinton. Over a hundred years ago it was Harriet Tubman who re-enters to discussion. Today, Hillary Clinton is running on a campaign to finally get women equal pay for equal work, among other key issues that directly impact women.
Before we place a woman's face on U.S. currency (Tubman, a slave emancipator was selected in an online vote to replace slave holder Andrew Jackson ) or elect the first female president ( Clinton), the state of women's social relations and inner-gender discrimination in America deserves more attention.
Women are often pitted against each other based on personal choices and classcism. Those conflicts can trickle over into public life. The media has covered topics such as stay-at-home vs. working moms, married vs. single women, highlighting the division in female-to-female relations. Such women embroiled debates rage on as we now enter the realm of a catch all "new age feminism" that complicates getting there as one cohesive body.
The traditional versus non-traditional role of women has evolved with the demands of the times we live in. A WebMD article states, "Employment figures for married mothers with children under age 6 have dropped 7% to 10% since the peak years of 1997 to 2000, depending on the income group." Overall, the work participation rate for all women dropped 1.5% from 2000 to 2004, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics." Today, women make up nearly half of the American workforce. A portion of that number are employed by choice, while some work out of necessity, juggling two roles of wife and mother.
How womanhood is defined and where we derive notions of feminism vary. I know all women are not the same and am not attempting to stereotype us. Discrimination is the constant no matter how unique we are. When discrimination comes for one of your own it can be especially difficult to handle, but if you are running for office handling it is a must.
This is one of the obstacles Hillary Clinton faces as a candidate for the presidency. She talks a good game about fighting for families, but the truth is her work has focused on children, which of course is a by product of family, but in all of her years of service she does not have specific track records on fighting for women's rights. The Lilly Ledbetter equal pay issue is currently high on her agenda.
Drawing women voters across all ages and demographics remains an issue for Clinton because a significant portion of women question whether she is loyal to women's interests.
I spoke to a well-educated, forty something year old attorney's daughter who may not vote for Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, saying. "She lost me with the cookie comment. I bake cookies!"
Like many modern women the cookie baker has retained a traditional role and a comment Mrs. Clinton made years ago stayed with her.
I can completely relate to making adjustments and sacrifices for family over work, standing by my husband and baking cookies. Unlike the then First Lady Clinton, I take pride in living the balance of being a well-rounded professional, wife and mother. I didn't notice the disconnect among women until I became married with children, spending some of my time as a working and as a stay-at-home mom. I never felt inadequate about either choice.
In retrospect, I believe I got my resolve to be the type of woman I wanted to be instilled in me at an early age in part from fragrance company Enjoli.
In 1980, Enjoli introduced the classic women-can-have-it all commercial featuring beautiful actress Sybil Shepherd transforming into whomever she needed to be. As an 8 year-old I recall leaping up to mimic the actress every time the spot aired. I shadowed the woman's every move, just as loud and proud, singing her every word, which I know by heart to this day: I can bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan. . .and never let you forget you're a man. Cause I'm a woman. Enjoli! As she appeared in a different outfit from an apron to a cocktail dress, I mentally changed my wardrobe. The commercial visually communicated that I could be what I wanted to be and that message resonated with me early on. From this spot I learned a real woman has super powers, she wears an invisible cape and can do anything she sets her mind to! Today reality has set in. (With all of the demands that come with parenting two active children and working, I retired my cape and any notions that I was a super woman too.)
She was a beautiful, smart, sexy, multi-tasker. She was the future me.
I don't give Shepherd all the credit for shaping my my feminine identity. Moreso than any outside influence, the women in my family and community were also responsible for shaping my identity as a woman. The majority of them worked outside of the home, kept their dwelling places clean, prepared dinner daily and raised their families, except their fabulous attire and Marilyn Monroe like hair styles were reserved until Sunday morning service.
This generation is watching the campaign like a commercial or better yet a reality show, taking cues from the messages Clinton sends about her role as a woman leader.
Clinton's campaign slogan is "Make America Whole." There is a sensitivity in those words that I would argue is what makes the leadership of a woman versus a man distinct. In contrast, her chief Republican opponent, Donald Trump has already begun to apply sarcasm about the slogan as if it a lesser or weak idea.
Like never before, the world needs women who are concerned about how justice is served to their fellow-women, whether we are healed and whole, well and free AND yes, who care about what's happening to our babies (i.e., future generations). The news headlines are screaming for our touch, our attention. Who is mothering the madness that befalls us and where is the tribe of heroines and healers in our upper ranks? Lest we forget in our efforts to compete in male dominated environments, women are healers, teachers, deliverers, many of whom are naturally endowed with qualities that are prescribed to bring loving balance to the universe. Let us not lose our ability to tap into the feminine aspects of our being to actively induce change that protects the flowering of humanity. It's our mojo.
I wonder if Hillary knows she possesses this mojo every time she walks up to a podium wearing one of those modern woman pant suits. Or has she has sold out with the mentality that she has to be like them to beat them.
A woman's understanding and execution of being equal to men in the public sphere can't ever mean she is to reduce aspects of her femininity to gain respect or power. Not once have I seen Hillary Clinton wear a skirt while campaigning for the 2016 presidency. The last time I saw her in a skirt was when she delivered her concession speech at the 2008 Democratic convention in Denver, CO. Consistently wearing pants sends a consistent subliminal message about running for the highest role in the land. Clinton's wardrobe is saying to her all male opponents, "I can wear the pants too!", albeit a metaphor or equality. Ironically, she should feel confident wearing either pants, skirts or dresses as our current FLOTUS Michelle Obama does and she did when she was the First Lady. Women don't have to sacrifice the feminine to exist and thrive at the heights of leadership in this country. Embrace femininity as a beneficial point of distinction that gives one an edge instead of a burden that holds one back.
But this is not about "skirts in the Oval Office" as much as it is about an attitude of privilege and the presumption that women will support her automatically based on her track record, gender or marriage to a popular past president. Voters, both male and female, are more interested in what candidates are capable of doing for them now instead of their past accomplishments.
Which women is Hillary Clinton fighting for? The ones who, like her, are degreed and work outside of the home? Or the ones who "bake cookies" and don't have a 401k plan to fall back on?
In our quest for equality, let us not forget who we are. WOMEN ARE NOT MEN. MEN ARE NOT WOMEN. We must meet on common ground and acknowledge and accept this truth.
As women, our WOMB separates us to commit wonderful natural acts, namely to bring life, nurture it and help it grow. We need women in leadership who care about the children in our communities both locally and globally and the future generations of other women. She has long played the role of working woman. and a woman who cares for our children. Clinton gets points for that.
Getting recognized on currency won't amount to anything unless women unite to invest in our collective plight for respect and equality among men and other women. Electing a woman to lead the nation will have not value if women collectively do no demand that all our needs in the public sphere are met.
If Hillary wins, I want the first woman president to be just as proud to represent women as she is to fill a role traditionally filled by men.
