America is a nation of contradictions. On the one hand, we can be an enormously generous and compassionate people. On the other, issues of racism, sexism and other forms of prejudice can be found uncomfortably close to the surface in our society. In this Democratic primary season, both of these contradictory aspects have clearly shown themselves.
This is a call-to-action diary.
Women certainly are justified in taking offense at sexist comments that have been made by some of the mainstream media, pundits and talk show hosts, along with similarly prejudicial remarks concerning race, gender, religion, ethnicity, regionalism and other attempts at differentiation. However, many women believe that, in this pivotal election, it is essential to set aside personal preferences and take a hard look at the candidates simply as individuals, comparing their policies, competence and character without regard to exterior factors, asking the simple question, “Who is best equipped to help us get ourselves out of this mess we’re in?”
We began this primary season with several excellent candidates. Over the months, the contest has whittled itself down to two. In the end, only one can be chosen. For many women, myself included, that one candidate, that one person, is Senator Barack Obama.
“It’s not sexism when you support an honest man.” BA Barack US crafted this thought and 417els and I polished it in jj24’s “Women for Obama, Unite!” diary that made the rec list last night:
http://www.dailykos.com/...
jj24 was inspired to write this diary to offer a way for women supporting Senator Obama to speak in unity to counterbalance the disharmony and perceptual inaccuracies fostered by some women who purport to speak for all women in this Democratic primary concerning the issue of sexism. Because the simple truth is that there are many women who are deeply committed to living the fundamental principles of equality in all of its forms who have chosen to support Senator Barack Obama. Many reasons for this are clearly detailed in Billary Redux' diary that just made the rec list: http://www.dailykos.com/...
I admire Senator Clinton for what she has achieved in her life and for the role model she has become to many women. However, she is not my role model. Like many women, I believe that Barack Obama is the person who has the overall vision as well as the organically seamless progressive political philosophy and practice to help turn this country around from what the fomenters of old school slice-and-dice politics, neoconservative narrowness, insidious plutocracy, rapacious corporatization, mindless consumerism, and commoditization of nature have wrought in their shameless march for unlimited power and control. America is being brought to its knees both socially and economically by these forces and the individuals driving them. Lives and cultures around the world and even Mother Earth herself are being destroyed by this egoic, narcissistic blindness. We cannot allow ourselves to be whipsawed again by the kind of divide-and-conquer politics that have brought us to where we are now. We cannot afford to be distracted from where the real dangers lie. We need solidarity of vision and clear purpose.
As Senator Obama said in 2004:
There's not a liberal America and a conservative America; there's the United States of America. There's not a black America and white America and Latino America and Asian America; there's the United States of America. The pundits like to slice-and-dice our country into Red States and Blue States; Red States for Republicans, Blue States for Democrats. But I've got news for them, too. We worship an awesome God in the Blue States, and we don't like federal agents poking around our libraries in the Red States. We coach Little League in the Blue States and have gay friends in the Red States. There are patriots who opposed the war in Iraq and patriots who supported it. We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes, all of us defending the United States of America.
I do not admire supporters of Senator Clinton who, under the guise of sexism, assume that they speak for me just because of my chromosome make-up, and who seek to encourage the mainstream media to disseminate the message that supporting a man when there is a viable woman candidate is somehow sexist. I don’t buy it. Neither do the millions of other women who have voted for Senator Obama all across this nation. And neither is this reflected in new numbers from Gallup that show a majority of women support Senator Obama in this Democratic primary:
http://www.gallup.com/...
When jj24 posted her diary yesterday, something in me said a huge, “YES!” I’ve had enough of candidates, surrogates and talking heads putting words in my mouth. It’s time for me to speak up publically for myself and make clear my own views. Does this resonate? Then please add your unique voice.
We need your support and we need your help in this virtual grassroots organizing effort. Join us at http://groups.yahoo.com/... while the Women for Obama web site is being built. Adding your voice would be a statement of clarity and solidarity. And if you have a little time to help organizationally, it would be most welcome. Here is Lava20’s basic skillsbank needs list:
Here are just some things that we will need people to be in charge of:
Website design and development
Multimedia content.
Public relations. (Very important)
Fundraising. (Yard signs, tee shirts, etc.
Organizers (If anyone knows about grassroots it's Kossacks)
Management
Writers.
Researchers
With proper organization, this shouldn't be too difficult to do while still maintaining our normal routines.
It’s not sexism when you support an honest man.
http://groups.yahoo.com/...
UPDATE: Thanks to those of you who've read this diary and have gone to the yahopogroup to lend support and/or volunteer. The reach of the blogosphere never ceases to amaze me.