So asks a good op-ed by Mary C. Curtis in the Washington Post.
In her piece called ' The Loud Silence of Feminists', Curtis opens with:
Michelle Obama has become an issue in the presidential campaign even though she isn't running for anything. An educated, successful lawyer, devoted wife and caring mother has been labeled "angry" and unpatriotic and snidely referred to as Barack Obama's "baby mama."
Democrats, Republicans, independents, everyone should be offended.
And this black woman is wondering: Where are Obama's feminist defenders?
She's not the only Black woman asking this.
I'd like to know too...
feminists...
where is you at? (Mama, forgive me)
One has to wonder, as Michelle Obama is being labeled unpatriotic, bitter, mean, angry. Where are those feminists who saw sexism lurking around every corner with Hillary Clinton?
Where.are.they?
Ok, so they don't defend Michelle Obama, but can't they at least come up and point out the hypocrisy of the attacks on Michelle Obama as compared to the Pill Poppin' Piece-On-The-Side? Is it too much for them to bring THAT up?
Why is an accomplished professional, Double Ivy-League graduate, loving wife and devoted mother NOT WORTHY OF DEFENSE BY THE FEMINIST ESTALBLISHMENT?
A new blog that has become part of my daily routine is Michelle Obama Watch, a sort of Media Matters for Michelle Obama. If you have the time, take a look at the blog. The stuff being thrown out there with regards to Michelle Obama is enough to make the blood pressure rise. But, I want to thank Gina M for doing this. For cataloguing all things Michelle Obama so that there is a one stop shop, so everyone who 'poo-poos' those of us who defend Michelle Obama as being ' sensitive'-WE can see the cumulative effect of those attacks. Seeing them gathered in one place adds to the strength of those of us who DO defend Michelle Obama.
To be fair, I have seen defense of Michelle Obama somewhat in the Feminist Blogosphere, so I give credit where it's due. But, the SILENCE of all those that were yapping their flaps for Hillary just can't go unnoticed.
Curtis wrote:
The campaign against Michelle Obama -- who went on "The View" this week to prove her everywoman bona fides -- has not caused a rift between black and white women so much as it has exposed it.
I've long been frustrated, as a black woman and a feminist, with our national conversation. I didn't hear the cause speaking up for women of color or for women who have always worked in blue-collar or service jobs. Choice was not their issue.
The woman who employed my educated mother to clean her house never quite saw her as a sister in the struggle for equality.
Well, it's no secret that I'm not a fan of feminism. I don't believe that it had anything to do with Black women's lives. I believe we already had our own brand of feminism, because Black women have always worked. Our ancestors - mothers, aunts, grandmothers, elders in the church- have been balancing work, relationships and marriage, well, since forever. We failed to uphold the lessons that they tried to teach us, throwing it away for something that NEVER had our families in mind. I can't be a Black feminist if I'm being separate from the Black men in my life. Just doesn't work for me. That's part of the reason why there was no real 'conflict' for me when it came to Obama vs. Clinton. Am I Black or Woman? I'm both, but I've been in this country long enough to know:
1. Being Black is the true designation of my life
2. Being separated from the men in the community has not done us any good
3. 'Sisterhood' is a one way street; I'm a ' Sister', when Mainstream Feminism wants something from me. When they're done, then I'm kicked to the curb. I understood long ago that Miss Anne wasn't studdin' about my Black behind, and I don't think I'm alone in that realization.
I said before that I wasn't going to hold my breath waiting for Mainstream Feminists to defend Michelle Obama. This was a job that those of us who cared would have to take on our shoulders.
Their silence has been quite instructive....don't you think?
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3 comments:
"Their silence has been quite instructive....don't you think?"
Hmmm...when it comes the deafening SILENCE of Anglo-American "feminists" I think the word I'd use is "confirming" because the truth is, I've always suspected that...
(1). Most "feminists" are, in fact, card-carrying members of the R-W & R club, Rich, White & RACIST. They've got NO problem with "Affirmative Action" because THAT particular bunch has, in fact, benefited the MOST from it. They were able to secure very High paying jobs and awarded very lucrative contract$ for "Entrepreneurial" ventureS!!!
And (2): It's Black people they have a problem with! Simply put, those Evil-azz women have never had ANY "noble" use for us_period.
BTW: IMO Hillary is NO "feminist". But watching her PLAY that dumb-azz arrogant bunch for fools was somewhat amusing!
H*ll, except for when she APPEARED to be "crying" (OR when she was WHINNING) she did EVERYTHING to convince White-America that she was as much "man", if not moreso, than ANY of the actual men running. And I'd say she succeeded.
Most Americans (especially Democrats) saw her as just another white MAN and quite frankly, Democrats AND "Independents" blame White males for all this sh*t this nation is in right now.
People want "CHANGE" and that's why she lost...lol!
Ooops, I went OFF topic_I'm sorry!
Clarification: I meant to write_
(1). Most "feminists" are, in fact, card-carrying members of the "R-W-R-W" club_Rich, White, RACIST Women_who, BTW, have NO problem with "Affirmative Action" because THAT bunch happens to belong to an even larger group that has benefited THE MOST from it_WHITE women.
Via "Affirmative Action" white women, in particular, were hired at VERY good jobs and promoted to very high positions. Those who are business savvy have been awarded very lucrative contract$ for "Entrepreneurial" ventureS!
"Their silence has been quite instructive....don't you think?"
Damn right.
I am so glad you wrote this article. Thank you.
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