The "I'm-Every-Women" Myth that is Hillary
In their coverage of Tuesday's Wisconsin primary, CNN hosted several commentators, one of whom was Amy Holmes—a political force of nature. In reference to Hillary Clinton's non-concession speech delivered that evening just after Wisconsin had been called for Obama, in the mist of the other analysts' commiserating about just how same-old, same-old Hillary's speech seemed though billed as new, Holmes remarks:
Hearing Holmes articulate in such an unapologetic manner this most incisive observation—and seeing that the only rebuttal the one Hillary-supporter on the panel could muster in the moment was to try to dismiss Holmes out of hand—in a tangential way shed light for me on why conservatives are trying to seize on Michelle Obama's comments earlier in the week, believing them to be a chink in the armor of the juggernaut that is becoming the O-campaign (almost 1 million strong). Michelle said:
"How dare this be the first time in her adult life that she is proud of America," some have said. "What kind of non-patriot is she?!"
This may come as a surprise to some, but not everyone has experienced America in the same way. Not everyone's history and personal experience affords them the indiscriminate conviction that—at all times and in all places and in spite of all evidence to the contrary—one should always be "proud to be an American." And perhaps not everyone saw it coming, but having to grapple with this disturbing (perhaps even inconvenient) truth is an inescapable part of rallying for "CHANGE"—particularly behind one who shares history with those who have at times been victimized by the status quo.
Privilege seems to blind people to the reality that everyone has not experienced America in the same way. But one must know that this is particularly important to the heirs of America's promises who have been historically marginalized within her boarders. I imagine that most intelligent people understand that no two people, no two groups, share the same experiences. Nonetheless, we must also understand that even those who do share the same experiences don't interact with those experiences in the exact same way—for lots of different reasons. Though we often rehearse the contrary, we must reckon that it is not necessarily true that if our friend had just had a mother who could cook as well as our own, then they would like beans as much as we do; or that if they had just come from where we come from, they would understand a certain thing the same way; or that if they had just been the recipient or beneficiary of the same opportunities that they would have leveraged them the same (or been able to). It's just not the case. And we must lay down the self-absorption that makes us think it is, if we are to ever begin to understand one another.
Senator and Mrs. McCain sought to embarrass and chasten Mrs. Obama by declaring their unwavering, indiscriminate pride in America. Why wouldn't they cherish that which has always accrued to their benefit? However, isn't the real promise of America worth cherishing one of equity for all and not privilege for a few?
No one should be upset or dismayed by Michelle's honest reflection. There is much in America's past, present and, undoubtedly, her future of which no one should be proud. And if one is touched with empathy for those who suffer for the sake of others' privilege, that person should not have to pretend that all is well when she can see and hear clearly that it is not. Pretending isn't patriotism; it's the most odious form of self-congratulations.
By identifying, as MLK did, with those who still struggle and suffer in hopes of America beginning to live out "the true meaning of her creed," Michelle proves herself to be the real patriot and also becomes the "Every-Women" that Hillary can only pretend to be. You go, sista!
Addendum: For more on Hillary's "I'm-Every-Women" myth,
check out Ariel Werner's "Open Letter to Gloria Steinem".
What?! This girl laid down the gauntlet! And reading it doesn't give you the sense of how quickly she was able to put it down. Obama needs to hire this women as his 10-second-response coach. Not that Obama could have gotten away with the same comment, but Holmes' ability, in just 10-seconds, to deconstruct the myth that has become Hillary's calling card was incredible. And, listening to her, you got the idea there was definitely more where that came from."Something that I heard tonight that I found very peculiar was when she wrapped it up by saying that we will shatter the hardest, highest glass ceiling that there is, inferring electing a woman. This is an argument Gloria Steinem tried to make in the New York Times, and it's preposterous on so many levels, that a white multi-millionairess who is married to a former president would somehow have a tougher time [or] road ahead of her, becoming president of the United States, than Barack Obama. It was new. I think that it will actually be rejected."
Hearing Holmes articulate in such an unapologetic manner this most incisive observation—and seeing that the only rebuttal the one Hillary-supporter on the panel could muster in the moment was to try to dismiss Holmes out of hand—in a tangential way shed light for me on why conservatives are trying to seize on Michelle Obama's comments earlier in the week, believing them to be a chink in the armor of the juggernaut that is becoming the O-campaign (almost 1 million strong). Michelle said:
Hope is making a comeback. And let me tell you, for the first time in my adult life I am really proud of my country—not just because Barack is doing well, but I think people are hungry for change.
"How dare this be the first time in her adult life that she is proud of America," some have said. "What kind of non-patriot is she?!"
This may come as a surprise to some, but not everyone has experienced America in the same way. Not everyone's history and personal experience affords them the indiscriminate conviction that—at all times and in all places and in spite of all evidence to the contrary—one should always be "proud to be an American." And perhaps not everyone saw it coming, but having to grapple with this disturbing (perhaps even inconvenient) truth is an inescapable part of rallying for "CHANGE"—particularly behind one who shares history with those who have at times been victimized by the status quo.
Privilege seems to blind people to the reality that everyone has not experienced America in the same way. But one must know that this is particularly important to the heirs of America's promises who have been historically marginalized within her boarders. I imagine that most intelligent people understand that no two people, no two groups, share the same experiences. Nonetheless, we must also understand that even those who do share the same experiences don't interact with those experiences in the exact same way—for lots of different reasons. Though we often rehearse the contrary, we must reckon that it is not necessarily true that if our friend had just had a mother who could cook as well as our own, then they would like beans as much as we do; or that if they had just come from where we come from, they would understand a certain thing the same way; or that if they had just been the recipient or beneficiary of the same opportunities that they would have leveraged them the same (or been able to). It's just not the case. And we must lay down the self-absorption that makes us think it is, if we are to ever begin to understand one another.
Senator and Mrs. McCain sought to embarrass and chasten Mrs. Obama by declaring their unwavering, indiscriminate pride in America. Why wouldn't they cherish that which has always accrued to their benefit? However, isn't the real promise of America worth cherishing one of equity for all and not privilege for a few?
No one should be upset or dismayed by Michelle's honest reflection. There is much in America's past, present and, undoubtedly, her future of which no one should be proud. And if one is touched with empathy for those who suffer for the sake of others' privilege, that person should not have to pretend that all is well when she can see and hear clearly that it is not. Pretending isn't patriotism; it's the most odious form of self-congratulations.
By identifying, as MLK did, with those who still struggle and suffer in hopes of America beginning to live out "the true meaning of her creed," Michelle proves herself to be the real patriot and also becomes the "Every-Women" that Hillary can only pretend to be. You go, sista!
Addendum: For more on Hillary's "I'm-Every-Women" myth,
check out Ariel Werner's "Open Letter to Gloria Steinem".
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