Assessing Our Progress
A good many women across the country are feeling somewhat confounded about the end of Hillary Clinton’s run. She made mistakes, as did every candidate. But those who argue that sexism had nothing to do with the result are blind or deluding themselves. Eighteen million cracks in the glass ceiling, as Clinton described the outcome, was certainly progress. But for those of us who grew up thinking much of the work of equality in respect and regard had been achieved, it was a rude awakening. Certainly sexism is not the only reason why Hillary Clinton did not achieve the nomination, but it played a significant role - especially in the media. We’ll see how this plays out, but she has shown us what strength women have. And she has put us back on our toes, perhaps watching our backs a bit more again, and realizing that some forms of bias die hard.
TAGS: democratic nomination, equality, Hillary Clinton, sexism
On the topic as well, Erin Abrams asks, “With ‘18 million cracks’, why hasn’t the higest glass ceiling shattered?” Read her post at http://www.theglasshammer.com.
Comment by Carol Frohlinger, JD — June 9, 2008 @ 4:04 pm
How will you know then, when a man has been chosen over a women with no sexism in play? How about no racism?
If sexism was really at play, then why is it that Hillary made it as one of the last two candidate whereas all the other candidates, who were male, dropped like flies because of not getting enough votes?
If Hillary won and then became president, it would’ve been a move forward for female equality, but because she lost, it’s automatically the opposite, that it was a step back?
I’m a regular advocate for female equality (my boyfriend hears it enough from me). I see that both had something against them. Hillary-sexism and Barack-rasicm. The situation could’ve been so easily flipped and people would be pulling out the racism card like crazy. I guess either way, one group’s progress would’ve stepped forward while the other’s stepped back.
I’m both female and a minority, so I guess I have two strikes against me. I don’t watch my back as often as looking forward, and I can’t, or else I’ll set myself back. Seeing Hillary getting this far makes me optimistic because it was by merit that carried her here. After all, isn’t that our goal? To be judged by merit and not by sex?
Personally, I voted for Barack because I wanted a different attitude and a non-political person to run the country. For me, Hillary’s “merit”, her political experience, was what turned me off. I also see Barack as a better leader for international relations, which we so desperately need to improve, but that’s a different topic :).
My feeling is that we’ll ever end sexism or racism. But with each passing generation, with education and attitude changes, we’re getting closer and closer. (Just hope that the asian and middle eastern cultures don’t take over the world!)
Comment by jenny — June 10, 2008 @ 9:58 pm