Blue Mass Group

Reality-based commentary on politics.

  • Shop
  • Subscribe to BMG
  • Contact
  • Log In
  • Front Page
  • All Posts
  • About
  • Rules
  • Events
  • Register on BMG

How we choose…

February 6, 2008 By pipi-bendenhaft

In my opinion, however, it appears that Barack Obama has  resolved his struggle around his identity as a bi-racial black person in a white world (In his self-reflective book “Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance”) in a manner that Hillary Clinton has not, as a woman in a sexist world.  Do I think she is emblematic of all women of our generation on this? No, I think this speaks of her. Just as Barack’s self-reflection speaks of him (not of all black or bi-racial people in America).

As a woman of color, I have enjoyed (?!) a particular vantage point on the often confusing and often painful experiences of race and gender, and of racism and sexism in America.  When I said that I thought Barack Obama appears to be more comfortable in his own skin, this was not simply an allusion to a metaphorical self, but to his internal work to actually find comfort and a sense of peace as an oppressed person fighting injustice in America while not internalizing the hatred.

I don’t think, for me, this choice is about allegiances to the difficult struggles of gender or race (because I am one person born to both, just as I can’t split myself in two, these issues are indelibly entwined).  I am a little confused by how the MSM can portray this as a struggle between “blacks and women” when, as Sojourner Truth said, “Aint I A Woman?” – another way to marginalize African American women who vote for Obama. I know the MSM loves this “women vs blacks” formulation because they are populated by rich white men who enjoy seeing oppressed groups fighting against each other.  For me, as a woman, as a feminist, as a person of color, this choice remains about the merits of one person versus another, Hillary Clinton versus Barack Obama, it’s about policy and judgment issues, it’s about how each manifests her/his own internal struggles with oppression and privilege in a manner that I feel offers insight on how each might lead our country through the very formidable struggles ahead.    

Please share widely!
fb-share-icon
Tweet
0
0

Filed Under: User Tagged With: barack-obama, hillary-clinton, privilege, racism, sexism

Recommended Posts

  • No posts liked yet.

Recent User Posts

Predictions Open Thread

December 22, 2022 By jconway

This is why I love Joe Biden

December 21, 2022 By fredrichlariccia

Garland’s Word

December 19, 2022 By terrymcginty

Some Parting Thoughts

December 19, 2022 By jconway

Beware the latest grift

December 16, 2022 By fredrichlariccia

Thank you, Blue Mass Group!

December 15, 2022 By methuenprogressive

Recent Comments

  • blueeyes on Beware the latest griftSo where to, then??
  • Christopher on Some Parting ThoughtsI've enjoyed our discussions as well (but we have yet to…
  • Christopher on Beware the latest griftI can't imagine anyone of our ilk not already on Twitter…
  • blueeyes on Beware the latest griftI will miss this site. Where are people going? Twitter?…
  • chrismatth on A valedictoryI joined BMG late - 13 years ago next month and three da…
  • SomervilleTom on Geopolitics of FusionEVERY un-designed, un-built, and un-tested technology is…
  • Charley on the MTA on A valedictoryThat’s a great idea, and I’ll be there on Sunday. It’s a…

Archive

@bluemassgroup on Twitter

Twitter feed is not available at the moment.

From our sponsors




Google Calendar







Search

Archives

  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter




Copyright © 2025 Owned and operated by BMG Media Empire LLC. Read the terms of use. Some rights reserved.