(no subject)

[deelaundry]

Just saw a quote by Obama that sparked a big response in me. (Note: What's below is in no way a reflection of my friend who posted the quote, or her/his views, or anything of the sort.)

I like half of the quote and am annoyed to gargantuan proportions by the other half.

First the half that I like (although I don't like that this should even have to be said in the 21st century - should be self-evident by now).

"Women are not an interest group. ... They are half of this country and they are perfectly capable of making their own choices about their health." -Barack Obama

And now the bit in the ellipsis; the part that has got under my skin.

"Women are not an interest group. They are mothers, and daughters, and sisters, and wives. They are half of this country and they are perfectly capable of making their own choices about their health." -Barack Obama

They are also plumbers, and beach bums, and puzzle lovers, and drug addicts, and nuns, and atheists, and a million other things that have nothing whatsoever to do with their relationships to men. Women are perfectly capable of making their own choices because they are people. It is incredibly sad that the leader of the free world still feels (apparently) that he can't make people believe in the humanity of women simply because it is true, he has to appeal to love of specific women to get the point across.

Comments

[hannahrorlove.livejournal.com]

Given the audience he wants to reach, discussing women outside of that context would probably be too much of a stretch for them to fully understand the point. Getting them to understand "women are human" is the first step here.

[deelaundry.livejournal.com]

You're right -- but isn't it sad, that it's still like that? You know I can write that kind of world; I don't like living in it. : (

[damigella-314.livejournal.com]

I don't like living in it
Word. And, since I am a mother, having my kids live in it. They need to be prepared for a fight.
I am now seriously considering tracking down the original quote and discussing it at length with my twelve-year-old daughter, explaining what is right and what is wrong about it. Because she lives in a dream where both the President and the current (and favorite for the forthcoming elections) Governor are women, none of them good looking in a conventional way. The President is in her second term, and in this world there's no limit to re-elections.

I am scared by the direction the wind is blowing in your country and in mine, to which I will have to go back soon. Sexism is alive and well in Germany too, of course, but such statements would be unthinkable.

I do like Obama a lot.

[flywoman.livejournal.com]

They are also plumbers, and beach bums, and puzzle lovers, and drug addicts, and nuns, and atheists, and a million other things that have nothing whatsoever to do with their relationships to men. Women are perfectly capable of making their own choices because they are people.

Amen, sister.

[taiga13.livejournal.com]

I'm reminded of McCain responding to a supporter who said Obama can't be trusted because "he's an Arab": no, he's a decent family man. Nice effort, but you just implied that Arabs can't be decent family men.

[damigella-314.livejournal.com]

And that "family men" are ipso facto trustworthy, or good.

[talulahk.livejournal.com]

Do I believe that this statement is indicative of Obama's views on women? Ahhh - NO. Cases in point: Hillary & Michelle. It's political speak being forced out because of the meshuganah stuff coming out of the other party's 15th century view of women and their *gasp* bleedy parts!

Isn't it fun having Obama backed into a corner by the opposition by issues my *90* year old grandmother said she thought were resolved in the early '60's, i.e. birth control?



Sorry for the preachy. My great-grandmother was a suffragette who chained herself to the White House & Congress in 1919. :}