The Obama Feminists: Why Young Women Are Supporting Obama

This article was written by Ariel Garfinkel, a sophomore at Mt. Holyoke College in Massachusetts who's majoring in the Politics of Inequality.

The epic struggle between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama reveals strong fault lines between some older and younger women, first underscored by no less than Gloria Steinem who scorned those of us supporting a male over a female. Women of my generation venerate Steinem for her pioneering leadership but tend to reject her insinuation that the Democratic primary winner must have a body like our own. Beyond the importance of race and gender, we believe this election should be about a vision for the nation, leadership style and basic political values.

On the style side, the contrast could hardly be more evident. As the media endlessly ran clips of Rev. Jeremiah Wright, suggesting somehow that Obama was responsible for the extremes of his minister (a scrutiny, by the way, not applied by the media to the provocative spiritual advisors of John McCain), Hillary ducked to let the circus continue. Failing to show true leadership by denouncing one pastor's views as fair game in evaluating a presidential candidate, Hillary sat it out apparently hoping the focus on Wright might injure Obama. While missing her own principled moment, Hillary was left to watch Obama rise to his.

As the media, perhaps correctly, noted that by remaining in the race, Clinton might be jeopardizing a Democratic White House for four more years, Obama stood up to say that Clinton has every right to remain in the race. How easy it would have been for Obama, even coyly, to have egged on the calls for Clinton's withdrawal. In fact, he came to her defense, showing both a difference in style and principle. Ironically, it was the male candidate rather than the female who exhibited one of the values of feminism, the unwillingness to accept the old style politics played by men for decades.

That some older women accept such displays of un-feminist leadership on the part of Hillary Clinton may be due to their understandable and long-desired election of a woman. But we should remember that feminism is not about women only but about changing the values and style of discourse in the nation. On this count too, Clinton comes up far short by exhibiting much of her husband's tendency toward the old politics.

These politics and their perverse values have been the norm in the Clinton campaign. Paramount, perhaps, is Hillary's willingness to condone racial divisiveness as a tool to win the nomination. It began with Bill Clinton dismissing Obama's impressive win in South Carolina as unimportant because it was a Black win, a race "even Jesse Jackson won."

As if to underscore that this reach into the racial gutter was not a mistake, Clinton advisor Geraldine Ferraro, a paragon of feminism gone awry, offered up her own race-based dismissal: Barack Obama is ahead only because of his skin color (did Ferraro really wish to open the door to people saying the same about Hillary because of her gender?). This was not simply an ignorant rendering of the nation's racial history, but an attempt to fan division in a most "old boy" way. And Hillary's sitting out the Jeremiah Wright controversy simply added icing to the Clinton campaign cake of racial division.

But why stop with racial divisiveness when you also can question Obama's patriotism? This time it was Hillary herself who fired the first volley, when asked by a reporter if Obama is Muslim. She did get the first part of her answer right, noting that "he is a Christian," but then offered a conniving low blow by adding, "so far as I know." It then was her husband, the former President, who rendered the coups de gras on Obama's patriotism by noting that it would be nice if the general election could be between "two people who really love their country..." By stooping to challenge Obama's patriotism, does Bill somehow expect to elevate Hillary as the greater patriot?

This pattern of old-style politics and adherence to un-feminist values is part and parcel of the campaign Hillary Clinton has run - let us also not forget her old pal James Carville calling Bill Richardson "a Judas" for endorsing Obama. The Clinton pattern is why most of the young women I know on my all-women's campus and elsewhere are supporting Barack Obama.

Values and vision matter most to us, and Obama's extraordinary world view resonates with our desire for a different future. We do not want a nation or world where the old rules are maintained, and we do not want to continue political discourse at this most base level. We have a future to re-define, not only for women but for men and children, and we may have an opportunity to define it through the leadership of an inspiring and visionary young Senator from Illinois.

In this race, Barack Obama is the true feminist. Hillary Clinton, unfortunately, still does not get it.

Follow BlackAndBrownNews on Twitter: www.twitter.com/st4bbn

Comments

[snowcat]

This over 40 feminist supports Obama because he is the best person! Hillary Clinton is out of touch on too many issues including feminism. She has a real credibility issue. Obama speaks to us like adults and has more faith in the electorate than she does. He is a wonderful role model for my kids! My daughters have plaenty of heroines they admire and HRC has never been one of those.

[NewHampshire]

PS - you left out one thing, the candidate (Obama) HAS no 'integrity'. He is a womanizing drug user as well.

[shep1900]

And your evidence for this is--?

[NewHampshire]

Anyone who supports either Obama or Hillary are just well, plain STUPID!

Listen up OR55...

Obama and HIllary = two racists who will never be brought to task for their sins.
They openly cultivate relationships with the biggest hate group in America.
Obama is bought and paid for by the CFR and Zbigniew Brzezinski, communist.
He is their communist puppet. He has NO INTEGRITY, non experience and no knowledge other than they picked him so stupid women like you would swoon over him and vote for him no matter how off the wall nutty his background, ideas, and policies are.

This country is sick and needs a doctor. Half the people in it are sick because they went to public schools that are run by the UN, is it any wonder?

[DoninJoisey]

Not sure what to make of your post. At first I thought satire, but I see no "punch line".

"communists"? How old are you? Pick up a newspaper. That's over.

Our danger to our country is fascism - business and government working together to keep the people in line.

I do agree our country is sick. It's bought and paid for by corporate lobbyists. Obama's campaign, unlike McCain's and Hillary's isn't funded and run by lobbyists - over a million people have donated an average of a little over a hundred dollars to fund his campaign.

Is Obama perfect? NO. We have to choose. To me he has fewer negatives than Hi-liar-ly of "more of the same McCain".

[December7]

Ariel Garfinkel, your thoughtfulness gives hope to the next generation and a bright future to this great nation.

[david2008]

An astounding piece of analysis. If young people can perform at such a high level of intelligence and insight as Ariel Garfinkel, we clearly should expect no less from our public servants. Chalk up another voter who began with Hillary but soon tired of her old style politics. Obama clearly is the candidate for a new future.

[DudeOhio]

I'm a 43 year old Dad with 2 young daughters. I've forwarded your article to my 11 year old for her to read over the weekend. This is the kind of attitude I want her to grow up with.

Good read, thanks.

[grendl]

The amendments to the Constitution which provided women, and black people the right to vote did not come with a proviso saying " as long as you vote for other women or black candidates". That's not what freedom means.

But that's what this campaign has become, buckling from the weight of overexpectation on the part of those who see the office of presidency as reparations, or some kind of affirmative action. Anyone who's been watching Hillary run her campaign who calls themselves a hardline feminist in the Gloria Steinem sense hasn't been paying close attention. Her campaign has run the kind of campaign conniving white males like Karl Rove helped run for decades.

Unless feminism's goal is for women to be just like men. If that's the case, job well done. But I thought women were supposed to bring a new sensibility to the table, one of compassion. No? Okay. My mistake.

Tavis Smiley wants to make this a black event. Erica Jong wants to make this presidency a female event. Well, there's a lot of unhappy people out here that don't fit into either category. And its our country too. And btw, for anyone paying attention, the problems this country faces aren't steeped in sex or race, they're steeped in economics. The haves are screwing the have nots, and there is no set gender or race ascribed to either camp.

[wemustbenuts]

Ariel, What an amazing young woman you are. You have written a very amazing article. Articulate, insightful, and absolutely spot on. You are the feminist of the future. And you will do amazing things. Be heartened by all of us old feminist ladies who applaud you. We identify. We have been there. Rock on young lady. You will go far.

[garbose]

I think your exposé would have been better had you stuck to your stated subject (why young feminists support Obama) rather than your article in its current form; which supplants any concrete definition of feminism with a notion that 'feminism' and 'change' are interchangeable concepts. You've done little to show how Obama's "extraordinary world view" (as you called it--something that you suddenly introduced) is connected to feminism, let alone showing how that makes him "the true feminist" in this race. Unless of course, you mean to say that he becomes the feminist by default because Hillary has done such a poor job at forging a 'feminist path.' If so, your closing words are then, rather hollow.

[david2008]

Why would anyone write such a whining, self-centered response to a college kid who produced a stellar piece of work? If you don't agree with her just say so, but don't whine on about "you should have done this" and " you didn't do that." You must be a joy a minute to be around. Meanwhile, the 40+ positive responses posted, standing next to your rather petty one, really says it all.

[irishgawdess]

Awesome post Ariel!

I'm a 52 year old mom who earned her first bachelors degree in 2005. Many people my age and older would confuse a feminist man with being "feminine." That was a great point to make.

Gloria Steinem practiced a more militant brand of feminism, for example bra burning, and that's why she is so adamant that Hillary is the only possible choice in this election. I want a woman in the White House too, someday. Just not this time.

Like you said, what matters most are "values and vision." Hillary may have vision; however, her values are somewhat suspect and her vision seems ill-advised at this particular point in time.

For the first time in a long time I am excited about our country's future. Our potential for greatness will be restored once Obama takes office.

Thanks for a great post. Keep up the good work!

[AvgPseudoIntellectual]

RIGHT ON!

It is mind-boggling to me as a young feminist woman that so many old-guard feminists are essentially demanding that I support negativity, dishonesty, unethical political practices and dynastic rule in order to get behind HRC.

The claim by Erica Jong and others that misogyny is at the root of all opposition to Hillary is entirely as blind and single-minded as misogyny itself! To believe that no legitimate criticism can be made of Hillary Clinton is to be completely shut off to reality. (In the same vein, while I support Barack Obama, I do not accuse everyone who fails to support him of racism.)

Furthermore, I recently made the point to a feminist pro-Hillary friend of mine that I do not believe it is more important to have a woman president than and black president, or vice versa. I think dwelling on that comparison is bizarre, frankly, and the feminist argument for Hillary completely ignores the fact that both of our leading candidates have had serious prejudices to overcome.

My very well-informed, feminist, 65-year-old mother, who has met Senator Clinton numerous times and sent money to her campaign some months ago, has become completely disillusioned and is now a gung-ho Obama supporter like me. I am so proud that my daughter has her for a role-model. Hillary Clinton is no longer a role model in my book.

[irishgawdess]

Yes, I agree with you. It's not about gender or race, rather it's the candidates' message and sense of morality that concerns me. Do they believe in social justice?

I respect the right of others to support their nominee, but if someone is going to argue with or demean me for my choice, then they'd better be ready to give me a damn good reason why theirs is the better choice! (Guess a little bit of that early militancy stuck!)

Thanks.

[tangolopez]

I am totally with you. There is another article out there in the media atmosphere about how Oprah's rating has dropped and Ellen's has risen. This is so sad. The women of Hillary has been playing the gender card. Even Ellen. She said to Hillary on her show " don't let the men dictate you, you should stay in the campaigne as long as you like'. Poor Oprah has to apologize for supporting Obama! And one of the Black woman congress person said she is for Hillary because this will show Black girls what they could become. This is such a mixed message. Hillary is woman no doubt, but she is white. What is the girl to think? That she should only be s supporter? not the President?(if Obama is elected).

[scandinavian]

exactly! thanks for a fine post.

[azcamp]

Excellent essay on the generation of women who have grown up with self-assurance and wisdom. I am a 59-year old woman who read Barack Obama's books and saw new hope for America under his leadership. Your perspective is insightful.

[KiwisCanFly]

I am a half century old this year. I support BHO. I believe he is the best candidate and his vision for the USA is exciting, plausible, and desirable.
I don’t buy into the stereotype that BHO supporters are cult like, or lack perspective.
I enjoyed reading your article Ariel, you did encapsulate my thoughts on this issue.
I’ve been bugged by the quasi feminist who voraciously support HRC in this campaign. They remind me of headless chooks, flapping around. Apparently, issue contrasts, vision, character, sincerity, and especially good old fashioned common sense which leads to good judgment calls are not as important as getting the first female President elected.
If BHO wasn’t running I may have seriously considered HRC, but in my opinion she doesn’t cut the mustard in comparison.
In fairness I’ve been trying to think of a principled moment from HRC. It currently eludes me.
Something else that has been bugging me, this idea that MSM purport of HRC being really tough. I don’t buy it. Unless MSM are confusing uncompromising, unbending or rigid in her style of politics. Had she been less of these qualities I suspect her Health Reform would’ve passed in the Senate, which was held by the Dems at that time, instead of failing miserably.

[babybabybaby]

Feminism is not about always taking a woman's side. That's sexism.

[Cathi]

Amen! I'm disheartened at how many women are supporting Hillary JUST because she's a woman. Our nation is ready for a woman president, but we deserve one who doesn't 'misspeak,' doesn't have a maverick husband who was impeached and continuously undercuts her and her ideals rather than supporting her, one who commands, not demands respect (in other words, earns it!). I will turn 60 in a month and I support Obama and pray he will be our next President. I have 2 biracial sons and 5 wonderful grandchildren -- and he is VERY familiar with the inequities that exist in the world racially and sexually. A man who can be trusted -- that's Obama!

Great article...thank you for writing it!