The elections have fully taken over our news feeds, and the most recent development was when, during the primaries two weeks ago, Donald Trump recognized the victories of Hillary Clinton as something to go without mention or praise.
Specifically, he cited that he believed that if Hillary were a man, she wouldn't even be able to achieve five percent of the vote compared to the numbers she's bringing in now.
When a candidate not only fails to recognize the achievements of another in a professional way, but is also blatantly sexist, it makes it pretty eerie that he's still attracting a crowd, winning states and in the background of the videos of his speaking arrangements.
It says a lot about a deeply sexist culture that still exists, especially in politics in America. The reality is that if Hillary were a man, she'd get more votes and more approval. She'd face far less criticism and hate than she does now. The level of attacks she receives is nothing like any other candidate running, and, if she were a man, she'd probably be seen as more reasonable and like other candidates that have run in her place before. There is much more talk about the problems she has had and the things that have shaped her career than any other male candidate.
What's the worst is that every politician has their past, has made mistakes and likely regrets a choice or two -- just like every person. But because she is a woman and is paving a new path in running for president as a woman again, she isn't human, and she has to function as a superwoman -- which, she does.
It disgusts me that people around me disregard her work and her accomplishments. It's just sad to me. It doesn't matter what your ideals are or how you feel about the election. What matters is that you wake up and understand that being in the Senate, First Lady and Secretary of State, among other things, is something worthy of applause.
So when Donald Trump came forward and stated that he didn't think Hillary would have any of the numbers she does without being a woman, and implying that it's the only reason people are voting for her, it's insulting in a number of ways: it belittles her and makes her out to be defined solely by her gender, it discredits all of her other accomplishments and it says that voters, like myself, who stand for her because of her views and goals are fools only voting on the premise of sex -- which is far from true.
When Carly Fiorina made a statement saying that it would be very hard for democrats in politics to name the top accomplishment of Secretary Clinton, many prominent leaders fired back with real responses. Politico documented them here.
Among being a mother and grandmother, her work on the Pediatric Research Equity Act, nearly all of Obama's foreign policy work, bringing sanctions upon Iran, the SCHIP program, the drastic increase in exports to China during her time in the State department, her countless international trips focused on the empowerment of women, her role in the killing of Bin Laden, have all shaped the future of our nation for the better.
No, she isn't just a woman, and that isn't what is getting her votes. She is a leader, a catalyst for change and a compassionate advocate for the rights of the oppressed and struggling groups in our nation and around the world. She isn't playing a "woman card" by running and with her platform. Like she said, if playing the "woman card" means fighting for women and families, then that's exactly the candidate that I want to see take the oath come January.
