As a woman, one of my biggest problems with Sanders was his proclamation early on that he would be better on women's issues than Hillary Clinton.
This father-knows-best attitude is at the very core of institutionalized sexism.
Yet, I heard only tepid criticism of Sanders for saying this — even from Hillary supporters.
With the sweep of his hand, Sanders discounted Hillary Clinton’s long resume fighting for women's rights — here in the US and across the world — with little proof on his own resume that he could be better than her on women’s issues
How many women in workplaces across the country have had their long resumes dismissed only to lose a position to a man who doesn’t come close to her accomplishments?
Of course, “plausible” reasons for choosing a man over a more-experienced woman are usually offered. And, along with it, the denial that gender has anything to do with it.
We've heard many “plausible" reasons listed by our own camp as to why HRC should not be president.
It’s time to admit that, on that list, there’s discomfort with the idea of a woman holding the office of President.
Hillary serving as POTUS would break 200-plus years of tradition — how can we deny gender is not a factor in her “unfavorables” even among our fellow liberals?
Of course it is. And it’s most evident in the double-standard criticism of her.
In our own camp, I’ve watched as Hillary is vilified for her AUMF vote yet John Kerry, who voted the same, received — at best — tepid criticism for his AUMF vote when he ran for president.
For me, the most stunning example of the double-standard is listening to those in our own camp attack First Lady Hillary Clinton on the 1990’s Crime Bill that Congressman Sanders actually supported with his “yea” vote. Yet somehow he’s excused for this vote.
Many of the demands made on HRC are also tinged with sexism.
How many times have people in our own camp demanded she apologize for this or that, over and over and over. Apologize! — as if she were an errant child.
I don’t recall ever hearing such demands for apologies from male Democrats running for office.
And there was a diary this week that quoted a journalist who listed ways Hillary could win over Sanders supporters. On that list was a request she sell one of her homes and donate the money to charity.
When in our history has such a demand been made on any of our presidents or candidates — many who were far wealthier than HRC.
Double standards exist for one reason — to apply a “code of behavior” unfairly to favor one person or group over another.
As liberals, we can’t change how double standards hold women back, and keep women down, until we identify it and call it out in our own camp.
There’s a long-held truism about developing one’s self-awareness — you can’t fix it until you own it.
It’s time to own it.