TLOTV were discussing the fact that it looks like Hillary would not be getting the nomination. "What should we tell our daughters?" they pondered. How can we explain that a woman was not chosen? Was it because she's a woman?
I myself have seen only a few nasty sexist remarks in the mainstream -- one a comment from a constituent in the crowd, one from Chris Matthews, and a few others -- but you can't deny that there has been viral emails and behind the scene, behind her back comments that were terribly unfair.
Even if most of the vitriol was because they did not care for Hilllary's past and politics, and not simply because of her gender, there was no excuse for comments about her body parts and other feminine (or unfeminine) traits. I had to take to task someone I know for continuing to forward emails of this nature, pointing out that he had daughters -- how would he like it if they were attacked in this manner?
But there's a different aspect I want to point out here. I think maybe it's a mistake to be making such a fuss whether she is the nominee or isn't. As long as we continue to act as though it's something un-usual, there will be a natural resistance.
I grew up in a pretty typical midwest family. My parents were hardly radical progressive types who pushed their daughters into fast-track, high-profile accomplishments.But I always felt that I could be anything I wanted. It never occurred to me -- even when a tv show had a boy singing "Any Little Boy Can Be President" -- that I couldn't be president if I wanted, too.
Or even have lesser ambitions that were not typically considered commonplace for women. O had the cast of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and they waxed how innovative the show was, showing a single woman making it on her own. Now maybe it was because I was younger, but I didn't think there was anything unusual about that, even though I knew no one who actually had that lifestyle.
I believe it's because my parents never said to me -- oh, you can't do that. That's not something for a woman to pursue -- be happy being a wife and mother. Alright so that's where I currently am right now -- the rocket scientist path was not for me -- but I haven't ruled out great things for the future.
My daughters don't care what the pundits say. It doesn't matter what the talking heads say, or the headlines, the talk shows, the tv dramas. While doing my best to expose them to positive role models, whether in real life or fictional realms, I also tell them -- my husband tells them -- you can become whatever you want.
And I won't be surprised if they do.
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