Dear Veteran Feminist Friends,
I have just returned from a powerful weekend of feminism with California NOW. The young (under 40) women teach me so much about the world they face. My legacy to them is to forge onward, pick up their flags and never stop putting women first.
The number one issue they face on a daily (hourly) basis is safety. The numbers are so shocking; one in three will be sexually attacked. One college student told me that she chooses her classes based on daylight, parking and safety. It is so prevalent. One of the campaigns we spoke of is distributing drink coasters to bars – which actually can indicate if a drink has the “rape drug” in it. We can only imagine living such a world.
I only go into all of this to explain why I am so driven as to rock the Hillary boat. Aside from my personal pacifism, I will vote for the Democratic candidate – we can start from there. But there is open statement circulating that Hillary has stated unequivocally that she will not be discussing feminist issues publicly. What a luxury!
Most women in America are facing feminist issues everyday, at the market, at the bank, in the streets, blinded by the media, at the pharmacy – where are they not devastated by sexism? Maybe Senator Clinton does not want to be taken off course with question about marriage equality, don’t ask – don’t tell, or choice BUT what of abstinence only campaigns, availability of Emergency Birth Control in big box stores, families torn apart through immigration laws, women in prison ripped from their babies, women in Congress, the recent rulings in the Supreme Court and so many more I could go on for hours.
I simply cannot believe I am wrong in being shaken to the core that a woman running for President is moving along, maybe barreling along, without addressing specifically the lives of American women – AND FEELS CONFIDANT AMONG FEMINISTS – to say that she will not be addressing feminist issues. I have to ask – what does she think a feminist is? Though I am not entirely comfortable with the analogy ~ would Obama tell Black Americans that he will not be addressing issues germane to Black Americans? How about Biden or Dodd not addressing old White men?
Originally my concerns were all about the war – but now they are about political abandonment. I will not be assuaged with her co-sponsorship on the ERA – that is so fundamental and, even that, she has stated she will not be discussing publically. Sounds like a very big , VERY BIG, closet to me – I got out of the feminist closet at age eight and most likely so did you.
I want my candidate to stand proudly and shout clearly, I AM A FEMINIST.
Your sister,
Zoe
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