Politrix: Tug of War

Written By Parlour

Is it just because I’m an Aries who doesn’t like being told about herself, or is every woman of color tired of the pundits’ talk during this election cycle? For real, if I have to hear another white cat pontificate about how as a black woman, I “have a tough choice to make” in deciding between the woman and the black man, I’m gonna put a stiletto through my television screen (okay, maybe not for real ‘cause I need that joint to watch the Pennsylvania primary results come in tonight, but you feel me).

These are not new sentiments, these assertions that women vote based on emotion and non-whites vote out of a perceived sense of kinship, but this is the first time the two have come to the forefront together, intertwined like twin poisonous snakes shoved in a dark sack and blind with rage. (Some trivia for you: Victoria Woodhull was actually the first woman to run for president back in 1872, the same year Frederick Douglass was nominated for the VP spot-he declined to run.)

harold and kumar\'s mariaBut the fact that it’s not new doesn’t make me feel any less insulted. It’s as if I’m not intelligent enough to make judgments independent of the amount of melanin in my skin or what I have (or is it what I don’t have?) in my pants. What if I want to examine the issues at stake in this election (healthcare, the economy, the war, anyone?) and read up on the candidates’ stances on each as they relate to me? Or God forbid I vote based on who I think will make the best leader. Maybe I don’t want a president who thinks crying is an acceptable response to a question about “how she does it” everyday. Hell, maybe I don’t even want to follow a cat who poo-poos the current political fund-raising system (not likely, but there must be someone out there doesn’t respect a candidate who avoids PACs, or political action committees).

I’m not saying that I don’t love the idea of little brown girls running around the White House (!), but I didn’t start sending my little donations to Barack Obama’s campaign because he reminds me of my Daddy. I didn’t even make him my candidate because I worry that women can’t make rational decisions or play hardball when it matters most (personally, I think Hillary’s balls are bigger than Bill’s right about now). I pulled the lever for him during the New York primary because of his stance on the issues, his activist background, his vision of the future and his ability to unite rather than divide when describing the America I wish to see. And I have faith that those of you who are supposedly stuck at this crossroad will look beyond the simple politics that are being foist upon you and make the best decision for youself. Happy voting.

-Kenrya

If you like Kenrya’s perspective, check out her first post here.

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