18 Million Cracks in the Glass Ceiling

Posted on June 8, 2008
Filed Under Democrats, Elections 2008, Events, New York, News, Politics, Women | 1 Comment

hillaryclintongetty.jpgA little after noon on Saturday, a proud and powerful senator from New York, Hillary Clinton, officially conceded the democratic party nomination to Senator Barack Obama.

Thousands arrived at the National Building Museum in DC to hear her bid farewell as she ended her historic presidential campaign. Like Clinton, many were profoundly, visibly disappointed but ever-defiant. Many recognized the symbolic distance she had travelled. In her words:

As we gather here today, the 50th woman to leave this Earth is orbiting overhead. If we can blast 50 women into space, we will someday launch a woman into the White House.

Perhaps the American patriarchy isn’t ready. But her campaign has undoubtedly blazed a trail upon which other women might build more substantial byways. She has certainly found her voice and we hope to hear its echo in years to come:

Although we weren’t able to shatter that highest, hardest glass ceiling this time, thanks to you, it’s got about 18 million cracks in it. And the light is shining through like never before, filling us all with the hope and the sure knowledge that the path will be a little easier next time.

Clinton is asking her supporters to back Obama. Will or should we/they play ball?

Slate’s Fraywatch cites one woman’s insight:

Obama is not the candidate they are looking for. In fact he is their recurring nightmare; Obama represents the guy who was promoted over them because he was smooth, cool, etc. not because he did the hard work, paid his dues, and yes, waited his turn.

A lot of women had to live through that and, rightly or wrongly, they actually empathize with Clinton and feel what she is going through. These women did the work for their daughters, they don’t need Obama to do it for them.

Another responder writes:

The media was so focused on the idea that Hillary Clinton acted as if the nomination was hers by right, that they failed to see the arrogance and obnoxiousness of her opponent’s campaign. That elitism (for lack of a better word) was not lost on the rest of us. In the 40 years I have followed American politics, never have I seen a candidate (and her supporters) treated with such disrespect by the media.

What’s a woman to do? As Clinton said, there’s a lot at stake and we’ve come a long, long way. Is it time to just hold your nose and get the Republicans out? Or is there a higher principle at stake here?

Comments

One Response to “18 Million Cracks in the Glass Ceiling”

  1. Nyna on June 8th, 2008 6:29 am

    The success of Obama is also reflective of collective American white guilt over America’s racist history. Whites breathe a sigh of relief at the fact that he is not a descendant of slaves, AND that his mother is white. They are so happy FINALLY to be able to show their love and trust for a black man.
    It frightens me to think how the Republicans will manipulate this situation.