The 2008 Presidential campaign has been one exciting event thus far. Neither party has been short on entertainment; however, I must say one party has been more entertaining than the other and that party is, the Republican Party.
In today’s AM New York an article titled “Feminists: We fought for this?” featured living and dead past female Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates and feminists weighing in on Sarah Palin as the Republican VP pick. The discussion panel consisted of Shirley Chisholm, Geraldine Ferraro, Bella Abzug, Barbara Jordan Susan B. Anthony and Hillary Clinton (interesting women no one can argue). All of the women were either amused or dismayed at the Republican’s choice. Geraldine’s comment was the most hilarious. Chisholm asks Ferraro why she’s been quiet throughout the entire discussion. Ferraro replies, ‘She could have picked Dick Cheney. She could have picked Spiro Agnew, for Christsake. And yet she hadn’t chose any of them… she chose me.’
Most of the ladies were outraged at the fact a female VP elected to run on the Republican ticket was a Miss Alaska runner-up. Being this article was written by a man I have to ask do feminists really share the “panel’s” sentiment?
One question came to mind, are women not allowed to embrace their femininity or beauty and be intellectual? I personally do not see anything wrong with Sarah Palin’s participation in a beauty pageant nor do I believe it makes her less credible as a VP nominee. I think it is good for young girls to see all types of feminism not just one version that still results in comparing women to their male counterparts. For Sarah Palin to express her abstinence and anti-abortion views (which may seem male skewed to some women – I am not sure) yet still feel comfortable enough to compete in what is usually a male dominated arena is refreshing. She shows that you don’t have to burn your bra to be a feminist; however I do believe that she should be better prepared for her debates.
Look at Michelle Obama. News coverage reporting on Barack Obama’s official acceptance to be the Democratic Presidential nominee, there were the obligatory reports that rated his speech, but the real story for us was how elegant Mrs. Obama looked and how adorable, age appropriate and fashion forward her children were. Michelle presented herself as an intelligent yet approachable person. If Michelle had a beauty pageant in her past would we say she’s not a credit to the present day feminist movement (by the way Mrs. Obama rocks no one could deny she’s qualified to be a face of the women of this nation)?
Moving forward I hope we judge women based on their merits and statements and not because their past includes beauty pageants.
In today’s AM New York an article titled “Feminists: We fought for this?” featured living and dead past female Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates and feminists weighing in on Sarah Palin as the Republican VP pick. The discussion panel consisted of Shirley Chisholm, Geraldine Ferraro, Bella Abzug, Barbara Jordan Susan B. Anthony and Hillary Clinton (interesting women no one can argue). All of the women were either amused or dismayed at the Republican’s choice. Geraldine’s comment was the most hilarious. Chisholm asks Ferraro why she’s been quiet throughout the entire discussion. Ferraro replies, ‘She could have picked Dick Cheney. She could have picked Spiro Agnew, for Christsake. And yet she hadn’t chose any of them… she chose me.’
Most of the ladies were outraged at the fact a female VP elected to run on the Republican ticket was a Miss Alaska runner-up. Being this article was written by a man I have to ask do feminists really share the “panel’s” sentiment?
One question came to mind, are women not allowed to embrace their femininity or beauty and be intellectual? I personally do not see anything wrong with Sarah Palin’s participation in a beauty pageant nor do I believe it makes her less credible as a VP nominee. I think it is good for young girls to see all types of feminism not just one version that still results in comparing women to their male counterparts. For Sarah Palin to express her abstinence and anti-abortion views (which may seem male skewed to some women – I am not sure) yet still feel comfortable enough to compete in what is usually a male dominated arena is refreshing. She shows that you don’t have to burn your bra to be a feminist; however I do believe that she should be better prepared for her debates.
Look at Michelle Obama. News coverage reporting on Barack Obama’s official acceptance to be the Democratic Presidential nominee, there were the obligatory reports that rated his speech, but the real story for us was how elegant Mrs. Obama looked and how adorable, age appropriate and fashion forward her children were. Michelle presented herself as an intelligent yet approachable person. If Michelle had a beauty pageant in her past would we say she’s not a credit to the present day feminist movement (by the way Mrs. Obama rocks no one could deny she’s qualified to be a face of the women of this nation)?
Moving forward I hope we judge women based on their merits and statements and not because their past includes beauty pageants.
Comments