By LYNANN POLITTE
For The Beachcomber
Men have been engaging the help of women to further their oppression of women since, well, the beginning of a patriarchal society. And Sarah Palin is no different. She’s caught in the web, and she’s delusional to think she’s the black widow.
Women activists endured 70 years of protests, jailings, beating and hunger strikes before being granted the right to vote. But since 1920, when the 19th Amendment was ratified, policy has still been dominated by male politicians. Women, while more than half of the population, do not have 50 percent input in the laws that rule.
Only recently have the (male dominated) political strategists noticed the power of the “woman’s vote.” It’s about time. But we still have a ways to go, and sticking a woman in the White House just because she’s a woman isn’t the answer. Palin doesn’t represent anything different than what we’ve experienced with President Bush. While social science scholars say women fare well in elections where voters are eager for change, Palin’s platform is not about change. She is actually worse, given her social agenda.
When John McCain announced his choice for a running mate, it pained me to think I would be voting against a woman. But I soon realized that voting along gender lines in this situation is a travesty for women’s rights. And that’s when I realized how brilliant the Republicans’ plan is. It’s an old war tactic to divide and conquer, and there is no doubt the current administration is waging a war against women’s rights. Those wanting to continue to control women and keep them with second-class citizen rights have masterminded the backlash — again.
Both Gloria Steinem (“Wrong Woman, Wrong Message,” Los Angeles Times, Sept. 4) and Eve Ensler (“Drill, Drill, Drill,” online everywhere) have written brilliant essays on why women need to vote against Palin. These activists go into the details of Palin’s record, illustrating the damage her victory would inflict on the hard work of feminist activists — the women Palin so freely acknowledged in her acceptance speech. Though I’m sure they’d be pleased to see a woman on the ticket, I don’t believe Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony or Matilda Joslyn Gage would endorse her.
When Palin had her big moment on TV — her highly anticipated debate with Joe Biden — the women I know, myself included, were relieved she didn’t fall flat on her face. But the truth is the bar was set so low for Palin that anything short of babbling would have been considered a success. The French writer and feminist Françoise Giroud once said, “Equal rights for the sexes will be achieved when mediocre women occupy high positions.” The economic crisis we have now cannot withstand mediocre leaders, male or female. Nor would the election of McCain/Palin signal we’ve achieved equal rights in the United States.
What we really need in our leadership is more of the “feminine” archetype, not Bush in drag. The true solution is having more balance between the feminine and masculine qualities and perspective in policymaking. Our culture has skewed too far towards aggression and power. It has disconnected us from ourselves and each other. We need more connection to our earth, more care for our children and elders, more tolerance and integration of varied peoples. We don’t need more drilling or war or government control of women’s bodies.
I would love to see a woman leading our country, but leading our country in a new way, not the same ol’ boys’ way. If you believe in equality of women, don’t vote for the woman this time around.
— Lynann Politte is a mother, producer and activist on Vashon Island.
