I'm going to be honest, I didn't vote for Hillary during the primaries. But I'm sure as hell celebrating her victory now.
I'd like to say that "as a woman," I'm celebrating her win, but it's more than that, or at least it should be.
We should all be celebrating this day when a woman is on a major party ticket. My husband and I are raising two daughters, and this win is one for our entire family.
I'd love to be around to celebrate the day when a woman being on the ticket isn't a big deal, or at least it's not the most important thing about a candidate--male or female. More, I'd feel we've been successful if my girls get to vote in this type of climate, both politically and socially.
And then simultaneous with this huge social victory is the injustice of a white man getting six months in jail for rape. I felt sick to be an American as I read this verdict, and the words of this rapist's father. Juxtaposed next to Hillary Clinton, this feels like an extremely dichotomous climate to be celebrating within.
Yet acknowledging how far we have to go, as well as the injustices that permeate our culture daily, is nothing less than the appropriate, positive thing to do. While it may be disgusting to see racism and sexism still surrounding us in 2016, it's equally important to not forget that real change can only happen when we open our eyes and say, "I see this." Because what follows this admission is offering, "Let's fix it."
I tried to watch Hillary Clinton's speech with my daughters. I felt overcome with emotion and gratitude to be living in this moment of history in the making, even if I'm not necessarily one of her staunch admirers. Her victory is one for all women everywhere to celebrate, not just those who love her and filled in the box next to her name. Her victory is one I would be celebrating with sons, too, if I had them surrounding me instead of girls.
My daughters got bored before the speech ended. It's ok--they're only five-and-a-half and one-and-a-half.
They're still too young to understand things like glass ceilings, wage gaps, and rape. They're still too filled with natural pride, joy and curiosity to know that the world isn't always as fair as it should be, or as it could be. I don't look forward to the day when they realize this.
I remember when I was about 12 or 13. I used to tell people, only half-jokingly, that I wanted to be President someday. (I guess sometimes it takes awhile for the real world to sink in, especially when you grow up in white suburbia and more privileged than many, like I did.)
We were getting in the car after a shopping trip the other day--my husband, our girls and I. I told my husband that as soon as the girls are old enough, we're going to volunteer in local shelters and do things together where they get to see first hand that they are relatively spoiled and lucky, that not everyone grows up this way, and that there are ways they can help if they chose to. I want them to chose to help.
I want to say something cheesy, like I wish there was never a day when they didn't realize that being a woman might be fun as hell, but that there are faults that inherently come with being one. More than this idealism, though, I want them to be aware of society's flaws, so that they can make sure to listen to other people when they voice feelings of prejudice, or so they aren't blind when they witness the discrimination they surely will, at times, plainly see.
I want them to hold space for others who are different from them. I want them to not be ethnocentric and pretend that privilege doesn't exist, when obviously it does. (Just look at that rape verdict.)
We shouldn't have to have the same color of skin, or be the same sex, or the same religion to know that rape is wrong, and that a woman running for President shouldn't be something special.
But I want my girls to know that, right now, women still have far to go, and when they see tears prick my eyes as I watch Hillary Clinton speak, I hope they know one day that these are the happy, happiest tears of a mom raising women; of a mom who is witnessing some of these barriers crumbling.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.