I rarely get political. I don’t particularly like to read people’s opinions, and I therefore rarely share my own unless someone asks. But I can’t stand this anymore. I can’t sit by and listen to people support a truly garbage-fire human being anymore. I can’t. There are only seven days left in this election. One week. And just this one time, I’m going to lay everything out on the table and tell you that I’m With Her, and then tell you why. You can take it or leave it.
I’m With Her because I’m a woman
Listen. There were many years where I wasn’t sure there would be a female president in my lifetime. Doesn’t that seem ridiculous now, to think that? In 2008, when Hillz ran against Barack Obama in the primaries, I didn’t think she was the right person. I wanted Obama to get the top job because he has a charisma that is nearly impossible to deny, no matter what your political leanings. Hillary Clinton isn’t the most charismatic person. She comes off as closed off, as a little pretentious sometimes. I’m not denying any of this. But I also LOVE strong women. Strong women are my life-blood. They’re what keep me working myself to the bone to try to get ahead in my career. They’re what I think of when I start getting down on myself, as motivation that I just need to keep moving forward, keep my nose to the ground. I’ve always wanted to be a one-girl revolution, but I figured I was a nobody, a wallflower. Hillary Clinton is the one-girl revolution. And I’m behind her.
Also, it should go without saying that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is a misogynist. And Pence, his running-mate? Don’t even get me started. So there’s that, too.
I’m With Her because I’m Latina
Since I left my tiny hometown, I’ve really embraced the fact that my mother’s family hails from the part of south Texas that is near the Mexican border. I identify as Latina, and I’m proud of my heritage. But I’m in a unique situation—I don’t particularly look Latina, which has allowed ignorant people to make jokes and say racist things to my face for my entire life—all because they think I’m white and they don’t have the courtesy to consider the melting pot that our country has always been. I could get into that, but I don’t have the energy to tackle so many things today. Honestly, I probably don’t need to say a lot more on this topic. Hillary Clinton isn’t proposing to build a wall between the country I live in and the country of my ancestors. She was Secretary of State—she has foreign experience in a political sense, not a business sense. Plus, I don’t take offense to nearly every word out of her mouth about foreign relations (and she never posted a picture of herself with a taco bowl that reads ‘I love Hispanics’ on Cinco de Mayo, so that helps).
I’m With Her because she’s overqualified
Did you watch the debates? Did any of it look familiar to you? Have you ever seen a woman in a meeting get talked over and interrupted constantly, solely because she’s a woman? Have you ever heard of a situation where a woman is grossly more qualified for a job but has to fight for it anyway solely because she’s a woman? Are you seeing a pattern here? You should. And if you haven’t experienced any of that, you either a) haven’t been paying attention, or b) have been really, really lucky.
I’m With Her because her early career was kick-ass
I am an avid fan of the podcast Stuff Mom Never Told You (remember what I said about loving strong women?), and late last spring, they did an episode about Hillary Clinton’s early life, all before the scandals that followed Bill’s presidency. And MY GOODNESS, she’s a kick-ass lady. She has degrees from Wellesley and Yale, she didn’t change her name for a while because of her career, and she has been voted the most admired woman in the country twenty times. TWENTY TIMES. Click the link to the podcast, seriously. Even if it’s only to hear Cristen Conger’s Bill impressions.
I’m With Her because she doesn’t assault people
Did I really have to write that? Ugh.
I’m With Her because she has empathy for other human beings
Again, did I really have to write that?
This plays into something bigger for You-Know-Who, though. The way he talks about immigrants and refugees, for instance, proves that he doesn’t care or have any sort of empathy, for anyone other than himself. That terrifies me. Do you want someone who HAS NO EMPATHY to be dealing with other nations? To be making laws? To have any sort of political power whatsoever? YIKES, YO.
I’m not trying to change anyone’s mind. I know it’s too late for that. For what it’s worth, my own husband can’t get over his inherent biases against her for the email stuff to even hear me out. So I’m really not trying to convince anybody. But for those of you who are new, who may be thinking of reading my books or being my friend—this is me. This is who I am. And if you try to change my mind, our baby friendship won’t reach adulthood, let me assure you.
I may not have the power to be a one-girl revolution, but I have the power to support and vote for one.
Seven days, folks. Seven days.
-A.
Snark & Squee 