Some reflection on what Hillary means to me - and to the women and girls in my life
Hi all, I hope every one of you is having a great weekend.
I wasn’t sure whether I should post this thread to DU because what follows is very personal and vulnerable for me to write, but I have decided to be bold and be brave.
In reflecting on the significance and importance to me of the candidacy, nomination, and very real possibility of Hillary Rodham Clinton, I have realized something extremely important: namely, that what Hillary has done, is doing, and will continue to do has very real implications for all women and girls – not just American women and girls – that will directly impact not just their lives, but the lives of their daughters, granddaughters, and every generation of women and girls that follows. I am not convinced that enough people truly understand the significance of that – not by a long shot.
By sacrificing so much in terms of what both (many) men and other women think of her, how much respect she receives from her fellow politicos, how she has been treated by American society in general, and all of the other personal and professional sacrifices that she has had to make over the course of her life, Hillary has made what was once only thought of as a “silly dream” by “silly girls/women” a reality. In short, she is the very woman who has broken the seemingly unbreakable glass ceiling.
As a young, middle-class white man, I don’t have to recognize the importance of what Hillary has done. I don’t have to support her. I could just as easily dismiss her, and everything she has accomplished. I could just as easily write her off altogether. But I would be neither intellectually nor morally honest if I did that.
You see, though I may be a privileged young man, there are plenty of women and girls in my life who are dear to my heart. I think of my cousins, beautiful and kind young women that they are, two of whom who are thriving in college and another two who have graduated and are now working toward integrating their passions and dreams into their vocations/careers. I think of all my female friends, young women who I truly admire for what they have accomplished already and what they will accomplish, and how they have all the while stayed compassionate and empathetic toward those less fortunate than they are. I think of my grandmothers, all of them incredible in their love toward others, yet all of them firm in their self-confidence and dedication to leaving a legacy for which their children and grandchildren can be proud. I think of my aunts, all of whom have also accomplished a great deal in life, yet all of whom also have a genuine social conscience. I think of my mom, whose unconditional love and support for me I still can’t fully understand, and likely never will – though that should certainly not be taken as an indication that I don’t accept her love for me, because I do. And last but certainly not least, I think of my younger sister, who has struggled with unbelievable and frankly, heart-breaking challenges in life as a developmentally disabled person - yet at the same time, is the sweetest, kindest, and most compassionate person whom I have ever met, and who will always hold a special place in my heart.
These people, these brilliant and incredible and awesome young women and girls, are why I support Hillary. Though they may not all know it now, a Hillary Clinton Presidency will affect their lives in ways that simply cannot be measured. You see, her being President will open so many doors for all of them – and I am not speaking merely of professional doors, but the ones that truly matter. Ones of unimaginable self-confidence. Ones of inconceivable self-respect. Ones of unbelievable hope for their futures, as well as the futures of every other woman and girl in the world – including all who are yet to be born. This is the true significance of what Hillary Clinton has done, is doing, and will do for our sisters, our mothers, our grandmothers, our aunts, our daughters, our girlfriends, our wives, our female friends in general.
Has Hillary been blessed with far more opportunities than most women and girls? Of course she has; no one is denying that fact, or should deny it. But it is precisely because she is so blessed that she is a position to lead the charge for justice, equality, and dignity for women and girls everywhere. Moreover, if we really want to be honest, Hillary Clinton’s ongoing story wouldn’t have been possible without the consistent and dogged support from “below” of so many women (and their male allies, of course) over the past several decades. I find it impossible to believe that Hillary doesn’t know this and recognize its importance.
In conclusion, I believe that Hillary Rodham Clinton genuinely wants to make our country and our world a better place for everyone, and the biggest piece of evidence for that is her being the champion of the women and girls of our world. For if we – and I am speaking specifically to my fellow men here - are not for them, if we do not recognize their power and their potential and their talents and their gifts, then we are making a grave mistake that does not simply rob our female loved ones of their humanity, but by extension, robs a huge portion of our own humanity as well. For what difference does our own success as men make if we can’t support and advocate for so many of our loved ones?
To all whom have read the entirety of this rather long-winded but hopefully, inspiring and encouraging post of mine: a sincere word of thanks and appreciation.
With love,
YoungDemCA
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