I am genuinely frightened at the prospect of a Trump presidency. The very thought that a racist, misogynistic, narcissistic demagogue could possibly be elected President of this country should frighten us all. However, we still do not live in a world where every person can see the clear error in Donald Trump’s ways. Today, on November 8, 2016, I will cast my vote for Hillary Clinton.
When the election first got underway, I was pro Bernie. I voted for Bernie in the primaries, and proudly. I found his brash, honest way of speaking to be refreshing. But then, the reality set in. Bernie was not electable by many segments of the American population. As his defeat in the primaries was clear, I at first was angry at the prospect of voting for Hillary Clinton. I am still unsure why this is, but I do have to attribute part of it to internalized misogyny.
As a young woman, I have been very lucky. I was always told I could do whatever I wanted if I put my mind to it. Even my father, with whom I do not have the best relationship, told me that I could do anything. He said that the quality he admired most about me is that no matter what, I get back up and try again. He admired my persistence and drive. I took this to heart. I went to college and double-majored. I interned at NBC. I started this blog to express my unapologetic feminist thinking. I am a stand up comedian and a pretty good one at that – in a world where stand up is seen as a man’s game. I am living a life that women in many other countries are not privileged enough to lead. I know that without the sacrifice and bravery of many women before me, this would not have been possible. Hillary Clinton is one of those women I should thank.
However, I was still angry about voting for Hillary until very recently. People who I consider my friends (women at that) urged me to watch anti-Clinton propaganda in tee form of a “documentary” called Clinton Cash. This film, produced by employees of Breitbart, did nothing but attempt to smear the critical life’s work of Hillary Clinton. Hillary has served the public many times over – as a public defense attorney, as First Lady of Arkansas and the U.S., as a Senator of New York, as Secretary of State. And yet, it all comes down to one thing for some people – she’s a woman and therefore she’s a shrew, a bitch, evil, cunty, a witch, a whore, etc. These are the words that people use to describe women in positions of power. Why? Because women in power are threats. Women in power must be silenced. Women in power are not deemed fit for public consumption. I’ve been fed this lie and shamefully believed it myself. As I get older, I see how our society attempts to shape women into obedient little girls. None of us should stand by idly. Today, I see no other more responsible option as a citizen than voting for Hillary Clinton.
I vividly remember a moment in my third grade class at Skyway Elementary School in 1996. My teacher at the time, Miss Burke, is leading a discussion on the election, which at the time is taking place between President Clinton and Bob Dole. Miss Burke says that she wants to see a black man become President in her lifetime. She then says it would be even more amazing to see a woman become President. This memory is so vivid in my mind – only twelve years later, we had our first black President. I proudly attended the 2008 Inauguration, braving the coldest, most bitter winter of my memory in order to see Barack Obama sworn in at the Capitol.
I was raised by a proud Democrat mother. I was taught from a young age to recognize the values that form the fabric of our country – equality, justice, aid for the sick and poor, and the championing of women and minorities. I am unapologetically liberal. I am unapologetically feminist. I am strong, I am independent, and I am fierce. I’m with her.
#ImWithHer
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