Ain't I a Woman: Why a Feminist Votes for Obama

2008 truly has been an amazing year. Currently, we have two presidential primaries which have drawn the nation's attention back to the political sphere. The front-runners for the Democrats have the power to make history, not just because of their views but because of who they are. As a nation, we should be proud that we have risen above our sexist and racist past to actually consider candidates based on the issues and not because of what they look like.

But now, as a woman, I find a new trend greatly disturbing. An MSNBC newscaster made a comment that this Democratic Primary has been reduced down to mothers and daughters. Mothers who support Hillary Clinton because she reminds them of, well, them. Because she fought their fight for equality and made it where no woman has ever been. On the path to the White House.

Daughters, however, didn't have to fight that fight. They had a path opened for them. I, personally, am thankful for the rebellious Sixties and Seventies which gave me an ability to choose my own path, a choice that did not always exist. But those same women who fought so hard against the established way of doing things are now fighting hard to prevent change again.

My mother, a staunch Democrat and Hillary supporter, keeps telling me how 'naive' I am to believe so strongly in Barack Obama. How we need a candidate who has 'paid her dues' and how she has 'been-there-done-that' with candidates who spoke of hope and change.

Indeed she has. She was there for a candidate who said: "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." And as Ted Kennedy pointed out, his brother also spoke of changing the system. And while no one can argue that Hillary Clinton would be the first woman in the White House, that we will have come a long way, I will not vote for someone I cannot support.

And as a woman and a feminist, I cannot approve of the amazing amount of pressure that I feel to vote for Hillary, simply because she is a woman as well. The strongarming of the groups such as NOW, whose mission I strongly approve of, causes a rift in my soul. To hear them lump the female supporters of Barack Obama as weak-minded individuals who are afraid of power lights a fire in my soul.

I support Obama. I am a woman. I do not believe anyone would accuse me of being weak-minded, easily led, or afraid of power.

Robin Morgan, in a piece entitled "Goodbye to all that #2" writes that she will not vote for Hillary Clinton because of Clinton is a woman, but rather because Morgan is.

I will not vote for Hillary based on her gender or mine. I will not vote for Hillary because I do not feel that she represents the future of our country. I will not vote for Hillary because I do not feel she offers a viable candidate in November.

I have to vote with my conscience. And therefore, I will vote for Barack Obama.