HER time to lead
When a Woman is Our Best Option
Hey America, pull up a chair, grab a beer, and let’s talk about the historic moment we’re living in. President Biden has stepped down as the Democratic presidential nominee, and Vice President Harris is now the presumptive nominee. And she has an excitement behind her we have not seen with old man number 1 and old man number 2.
Some are saying, “but I just don’t know if a woman can win”. Why? Because the ONE and ONLY time a woman ran for president she lost? Yeah. That’s enough to establish a pattern. Let’s all scramble about and try to find someone less qualified with a penis. NOT! How about, instead, we all get over it and start giving her the same credit and respect afforded to male candidates. Like not calling her by her first name. Seriously America, stop calling her Kamala. She’s not your girlfriend. She’s your Vice President.
Since so few women have gotten close to the oval office without being married to a president, it’s extremely hard to predict what will happen. Wait. No, it’s not. Sexism. For sure. And she’s brown, so no doubt racism will happen too. After all, this is America.
Some will still say too much is at stake for a female candidate to run. That we should wait until the polarization smooths out, and democracy is not on the line. But the truth is we had decades of status quo and it led us here. When things are normal, voters want to be safe. When times are turbulent, they’re looking for someone new to land the plane. This is the perfect time for a woman of color to run. At least this woman of color.
Right now, Harris is generating an ‘authentic enthusiasm’ that is providing the spark needed to launch her candidacy into the stratosphere. Ezra Klein from The NY Times recently said, “…she’s connecting [with voters] because people are connecting to something about her. Something intangible.” She’s gaining in the polls, getting important endorsements every minute, has no one running against her, and has broken fundraising records. (Which is good, because she’ll need a considerable glam squad budget. Can’t look “tired” next to the man two decades older.)
Along with this attention, is attention to her wardrobe. Naturally a politician being in a blue suit is news for both the Washington Post and the NY Times (pic below) when it’s a woman.
And, of course when it comes to leadership qualities, America has an infuriating double standard. Men are decisive; women are bossy. Men are assertive; women are aggressive. Men have gravitas; women are shrill. This 2016 New Yorker article aptly highlighted this double standard the last time a woman ran.
But, unlike her female predecessor (who won the popular vote btw), Harris didn’t enter national politics as a spouse. She’s a prosecutor with a resume that makes her male counterparts look like they’re padding their LinkedIn profiles. Yes, they will still say horrible things and no doubt are cooking up conspiracy theories on how she got where she is, and she will have to take it. But then, she already has – her entire career.
In 2020 Penny Lovell led a study investigating gendered abuse and disinformation against women political candidates and “found 336,000 pieces of abuse of disinformation targeting 13 candidates across 6 social media platforms. SEVENTY EIGHT PERCENT of that targeted Kamala Harris”. And yet, despite all the unfairness, Harris became the Vice President and most qualified presidential candidate for the Democratic Party.
And, as it turns out, tolerating sexism being slung from every direction is not her only skill set. Reecie Colbert says Harris “has taken more than just a ceremonial role within this administration. That’s why it’s called the Biden-Harris administration. You can see her fingerprints on all parts of the initiatives and priorities...” Author Christopher Rhodes lists Harris’ accomplishments as VP as addressing the southern border crisis, confirming nominees, helping pass the American Rescue Plan, becoming the first woman to be an “acting” president, and achieving progress on voting rights.
Yet, we will hear Americans everywhere say, “she hasn’t done anything” or “she’s a DEI candidate” who doesn’t deserve this nomination. Detractors will continue to focus on inconsequential personal quirks like her “cackle” and whatever her face is or isn’t doing at any given moment. All while the other guy looks awful all the time, stumbles over his words constantly, and throws temper tantrums only to be called “strong”.
And what can we do about the sexism? POINT IT OUT! Don’t overlook the most qualified candidate because she’s a woman and you're scared she won’t get a fair shake. Give her a fair shake, expect the sexism and call it out every damn time. That’s how we generate change. You can always reference Penny Lovell for some narratives and tropes to look out for and also this breakdown in The Sun.
So next time an American undermines Harris, remind them of the pervasive sexism that taints our perception of women in power. Remind them of her qualifications. And most importantly, remind them that if they don’t want project 2025 to become their America, she’s the best chance we’ve got.
Join us to discuss this and other down ballot races on September 18th. RSVP here. To find out more about our writer, click here.