How Important is it to Have a Menstruator in the White House?
I am usually not very political, but I must say that the prospect of having a female President of the United States has got my ears pricked. The only reason why a woman should not be President that I can ever remember anyone giving is that she would be too emotional and unable to make decisions, especially during “that time of the month”—that is to say because she is a menstruator. I have heard this reason more than once, most often in semi-jest, and honestly I haven’t heard it in a while, but I remember these kinds of comments as a young girl. What other reason could men give? Menstruating is what makes us different. Then there is the whole school of thought that women are NOT different. We can do anything men can do. I think there are a masculine and a feminine principle at play here. Generally, women tend to carry more of the feminine principle than men, and men more of the masculine than women, but we all know lots of exceptions to that rule. To tell you the truth, I am more disturbed by women who have made their way into government and business only to act just like men. Clearly, women should not be discounted because of gender and in most ways are not actually different than men. And yet, I think embracing the contrasting way the feminine principle governs a nation and in this case would influence the world is vitally important.
In my neck of the woods in progressive Vermont, so far the buzz is all about Barack Obama. I’m mildly surprised that everyone is not jumping at the chance just to get a woman (does she even still menstruate?) in the White House. Maybe you all can fill me in on how she’s managed to turn people off. I’m rooting for a female President because I think what the world really needs is the female principle and woman are more likely to carry it than men (especially in politics). But if Hillary Rodham Clinton takes the election and perpetuates the masculine model and Barack Obama becomes President and embraces the feminine, I have to wonder—how important is it to have a full-blooded (pun intended) menstruator in the White House? And I’m sorry, I can’t help it, a menstruator in the “White” House, maybe they are afraid they’ll never get the stains out!
Michelle
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June 12th, 2007 at 11:13 am
Interesting bit, Michelle. I like your points about the balance of the masculine and feminine and to which genders these principles tend to fall (and the exceptions) and your encouragement of “embracing the contrasting way the feminine principle governs a nation.” I am not sure that Clinton would offer the feminine balance that I would like to see in the White House, but I am not sure she does not as well. It is a shame that many women seeking power, political or not, feel the need to abandon or suppress their femininity in pursuit of such power. I understand their motivations - a society that defers to masculine power over feminine - but I regret their compromise; I think it inhibits movement towards a changed society. I hope that Clinton, were she to be elected, would support such a shift with her manner of governing.
June 22nd, 2007 at 2:54 pm
That was a thought provoking read. As an African American woman I feel conflicted between the two candidates. Obama has a young, fresh appeal that has to potential to rejuvinate congress. Clinton has longevity and a no nonsense attitude that I like. I think that Clinton has been through the wringer more than once and is tougher for it. I don’t want to vote for Obama simply because he is Black, nor do I want to vote for Hilary simply because she is female. As of now, I am still on the fence and I am waiting to hear more about the issues. I honestly feel that, due to covert issues ofracism and sexism, America is not ready for either candidate and I doubt either will make it through the primary.
July 15th, 2007 at 4:15 pm
I appreciate everyone’s comments on this topic. I am excited at the prospect of a woman as president, and considering that Clinton currently has a double-digit lead in the polls over the other contenders in her party, the prospect may very well become a reality. Typically I do not vote for someone solely based on gender, but the truth is that this country is so long overdue for a woman president that I will likely vote for her on principle. Go Clinton!