Kirafa’s Revolt

Over and over in the Blogosphere and on television, we have seen demographics cited in various polls.  Two of the most prevalent, have been African-Americans and women.  It has been discussed that most African-Americans will vote for Barack Obama and it is expected.  No news there, it is what was expected and is therefore acceptable. 

Another predominant message is “Country First” or “Country Before Party”.  We see this on candidate’s signs, and some bloggers even close their postings with similar lines.  This is acceptable as well.  Most Americans are proud of being American, they are flag waving patriots and love their country.

I fit into the second category, I am a woman and I have decided that it is time for me to state that I am not an American first, and a democrat second;  I am a woman first and foremost.  I can move to another country and join another party, but I am still a woman.  Nothing can change that simple fact, I have to squat to pee and I cannot shake it off afterwards, if you find that offensive, so be it, it is the truth. 

I am a daughter, a mother, a sister, a friend, a lover and a wife.  I know what it is like to chose to have a child or not have a child.  I know what it is like to be paid less for the same job as a male coworker.  Almost all women have seen friends abused or have been abused themselves.  Abuse comes in many forms, from being pushed, slapped, kicked or having to listen to the off-color joke to keep a job, to getting someone’s coffee or being threatened with your right to chose to do what you damn well please with your uterus. 

We saw that abuse in various forms with Hillary Clinton and are seeing it now with Sarah Palin.   

Why is it considered perfectly okay to vote for a candidate because of race and not okay to vote for a candidate because she understands what it is like to be a woman?  Have you ever met a man who said he understood a woman?  If you have, please give him my number. 

I have heard many times from bloggers and pundits that you must vote for an African American if you are black, because he will work to right the many wrongs inflicted upon his race.  I disagree with that choice, because I don’t think Barack Obama has a clue as to the plight of any disadvantaged person, but we have the right to vote for whomever we please, unless, you are a Democrat.

Women in the Democratic Party have been told that they need to get with the program and vote for the candidate selected (yes, I said selected) by the Party.  Isn’t this just another form of abuse?  Am I not capable of deciding whom I want to vote for?  Should I vote for someone just because there is a “D” beside their name or should I vote for someone who understands me? Should I vote for someone who understands what it like to be asked if they have adequate childcare, when applying for a job? Or someone who understands what it is like to be called a bitch for almost any reason?  Or someone who understands what it is like to be in a bad mood and to be questioned if it is that time of the month?    

Maybe, 2008 will be the year that a woman breaks through that glass ceiling that Hillary put so many cracks in, and just maybe 2012, will be the year we see two capable women from both major parties as the front-runners.  I will be able to choose which woman I like best and who best represents me and my ideals. 

If that sounds like it is all about me, maybe it is.  I have never been able to say that it is all about me. You see, because I am a woman, it has never been about me.  It has been about my children, my spouse or significant other, or my job or just being able to keep a roof over my head or insurance and keeping those that I love safe, because that’s what a woman does. 

Get over it, get past it and get used to it.