It is time to break the highest glass ceiling. (with post script)

Deep13

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Mon Feb-04-08 05:47 PM
Original message

It is time to break the highest glass ceiling. (with post script)

Edited on Mon Feb-04-08 06:21 PM by Deep13

If we really had gender equality in America-that is practical equality, not just legal equality-about half of the leaders in this country: political, social and business, would be women. That is obviously not true. The average female worker still makes dimes to the man's dollar. Even in leadership roles, woman must work much harder than men to stay there. I have seen this. Not only must they be as tough and resourceful as men, but they must avoid any of the land mines of the double standard of behavior. It has been said before. Men are assertive while women are bitchy. Men can be sensitive while women are just weak. And so forth. In addition, women in leadership positions must resist the attempts of women in traditional support roles to be part of their pecking order. You would think an M.D. or a law degree would end that kind of thing, but it doesn't. In addition to this there is a reluctance to put women in responsible positions due to the possibility that she will leave ultimately leave to have children. Lastly, but significantly, there is an implicit assumption that men lead and women, like children, are led. (Why women AND children first? Shouldn't it be just children first?) Of course religion greatly contributes to this assumption. As long as we continue to permit discrimination in hiring for religious positions, I do not see that changing. Even parental attitudes reinforce this. I went to a public college that was considered lower class for men and middle class for women. (Parents are more likely to send males to expensive schools.)

Misogyny really, really bugs me. Sure there are other forms of bigotry. But the sexism is what gets under my skin most. Maybe it is because I was mostly raised by my mother and saw what she went through. Maybe it is because throughout history, whatever group was up or down, in or out, women were always down and out. Whether her husband or father is a slave or a king, in most of the world, she is still a slave to his wishes. Maybe it is because it affects half of the world. Maybe it is because the oppression of women has the stamp of approval of most of humanity's gods. Whatever the reason, I hate it. In this country, gender equality has always taken a back seat to racial equality. We did the 15th Amendment in 1870. We didn't do the 19th until 1920. We did the 14th in 1867. E.R.A. never happened at all. (There are other examples.) Obviously, we have done much to end racism and still have much to do. This is not an either-or situation. Still, for once I would like to see us put that half of the population first.

So, one of the reasons I am voting for HC next month is because she is a woman. And I think that is a perfectly valid reason. Granted, even if she is elected, it will not end oppression of women or end discrimination or sexist attitudes here. But it will help. The whole woman can't be leaders argument is not so persuasive with a woman in the Oval Office. Also, if HC can't break the glass ceiling, who can? If not now, when? I frankly don't see anymore in as good of a position as she is coming down the pike anytime soon.

POST SCRIPT:

I feel it necessary to add a disclaimer since many posters have misrepresented what I said. (Yes, I am calling you liars.) I did not say that I am voting for HC BECAUSE she is a woman. I said it was ONE reason. If she was not qualified and capable of doing the job, I would not vote for her regardless. Since she is and her has very little experience, it is almost a moot issue. So, in addition to being a highly capable person, the fact that she would put another nail in the coffin of sexism is an added attraction. We cannot correct what is wrong if we refuse to do anything about it because of a preconceived label. Saying there is no difference between this and voting for a man because of gender, ignores the fact that men are already running the country.

I have to say that whatever positive opinion I have developed of O. from observing his highly effective campaign goes right out the window when I read his supporters' posts on this forum (GDP).