Best woman for the job could be a man

[rebel with a cause]

Commentary by Rebecca Walker:

KULA, Hawaii (CNN) -- Let's all breathe a collective sigh of relief, shall we? Now that we've got our nominee, Hillary can get some rest, Obama can read his daughters a bedtime story, and the rest of us can relax knowing our relative peace won't be shattered by another primary-related explosion.

<snip>

Obama has gracefully accepted the victory banner, and a lot of Hillary supporters, especially women, are walking off the field as if they've lost a war. I understand their frustration, but the truth is they didn't lose, not by a long shot. Their candidate is stronger than ever, with 17 million votes under her belt, and the public discussion about the role of gender is more nuanced and compelling than it has been in decades.

<snip>

But with a Democratic house divided, now is the time for healing, and this can only happen if Hillary's staunch female supporters let go of the reverse-sexist ideology that women are inherently better, wiser, and more compassionate leaders.

They will have to acknowledge that sometimes the best woman for the job is actually a man -- if it's the right man. Obama's vote against the war, marriage to his female mentor, outstanding record on reproductive choice and a host of other progressive issues, and his uncanny ability to inspire people all over the world suggest he's just that.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/06/06/walker/index.html




Personal: The article goes on to talk about what needs to be done and is a good (if not a 'must') read for most of us here on the DU.

[anonymous171]

1. When you say "reverse sexism" you remind me of Ferraro.

It's just "sexism"

[rebel with a cause]

3. Those are not my words

those are those of the commentator. Oh I forgot the link. I will give it to you now.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/06/06/walker/index.html

[mrreowwr_kittty]

5. I don't like the term 'reverse-sexism' either.

Or 'reverse-racism'. The implication is that women or black people have equal ability to discriminate against the groups in power when they don't. Both racism and sexism are structural and institutional, as well as personal. Not to say that women can't be sexist or that black people can't be racist, just that those things cannot manifest themselves in the same way coming from them as they are used against them.

I prefer the term essentialist, to describe those who feel that women (or men) have innate characteristics that make them better suited for particular roles. Essentialism paints everyone with a broad brush and denies us our individuality.

[billybob537]

2. Good point

Now it's time for Hillary to become a team player

[rebel with a cause]

4. This is not my writing

I just forgot to put the link in. The article is more than just about Obama and Clinton, it is about the healing and what needs to be done now.

[katmondoo]

6. I am a woman and I never even as a child ever thought

I couldn't do what I wanted to do. I didn't feel I was at a disadvantage in the work place, I made enough money to be a single Mom and support my kids. This was in the '60's when women just did not do this. I had to work hard but then men have to work hard also to succeed. I don't understand these women who seem to claim sexisim when things do not go their way. I say to them maybe you have to change too. Of course I never aspired to be a fireman or a policeman or something that I wasn't ever going to be able to obtain. Being realistic and knowing your talents and limitations is important for any person to get ahead. Not everyone can be number one, not everyone can be a CEO, Women start to know yourself and know what you can do and then work on making yourself the best at whatever it is.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

7. Personally, I think it is sexist to attribute certain characteristics

to a person just because of their gender. I've know some really mean, lowdown women--and some mean, lowdown men. I've known gentle, compassionate loving women--and gentle, compassionate, loving men. The wise person observes another person's actions before attributing certain attributes to them.

[rebel with a cause]

8. When I was a little girl there was a cat that chose to have

her kittens either in our garage or under our hen house. Once the kittens were born, she would disappear, leaving the kittens to starve to death. Every time we would wait to see if she would come back and finally take the kittens and try to save them. They always died. That was when I learned, with help from my parents, that not every cat or woman was a nuturer. On the other hand, I have known men that in their marriage was the one that nutured the children. There is an old expression that says there are always exceptions to every rule. That's why we should not believe in stereotypes.

[Fredda Weinberg]

9. Not in my experience. In fact, everyone here is counting chickens n/t