President Bush's proposed regulatory changes will block women's access to care and critical information. The new proposed Department of Health & Human Services regulations will let health care providers define abortion, which could threaten access to birth control and broader reproductive health care, and allow federal funding for so-called "crisis pregnancy centers" that refuse to inform patients of or provide patients with a full range of reproductive health care options.
Join together to defeat this new rule in order to ensure access to accurate, comprehensive health care, including birth control and abortion services, for every person who needs it.
Last night I attended a fascinating panel at NYU: "How the Internet is Changing American Politics". The panel was nominated by blogger and frequent TV news commentator, Jeff Jarvis and included many folks at the forefront of politics and technology, including an impressive Ariana Huffington. I agreed with much of what the panelists said - though Mr. Jarvis used his helm to lament his perception of the media's anti-Hillary bias - taking care to lay out thoughtful analysis of the good, bad and the ugly - and the long way we have yet to go. The most entertaining, and sadly insightful comment was proclaimed by a gentleman not on the panel, who likened the U.S. presidential race not to a horse race (most particularly in the Democratic Party), but as a reality game show, where the American citizenry ascribes personas to the candidates (McCain, the war hero, Obama, the post-racial black hope, Clinton, the woman poised to break the ultimate glass ceiling). Rather than an out and out race, we collectively throw obstacles at these candidates to see if they survive or fail, and ultimately deserve to get thrown off the aisle. A scary thought, but perhaps uncannily accurate for this day and age.
I'm not sure. I'm really not sure whether there is more racism or sexism in society today. I certainly can't testify to how blacks (primarily) experience racism in America today (though did have a revealing exchange with an Indian man on one of my last flights as to how he goes through extra security pretty much every time he flies). I don't know that it truly matters if there is "more" or "less" of one than the other.
Of course, there is a bright shining light on this question given the oft-heralded historic race for the Democratic Presidential nomination between Hillary and Barack (did I mention I <3). Hence, the numerous conversations (bordering on argument, perhaps) with several friends. As a fervent Barack supporter, I feel like this belief puts me squarely in the camp of the post-feminists (though not the self-hating shrew variety). One shouldn't vote for a woman presidential candidate primarily because she's a woman. One should vote for the person they believe who will do the best job.
Yet, I do cringe at the way in which many members of the press - including the typically open-minded Chris Matthews - characterize Hillary. On the other hand, I "denounce" and "reject" (to use the parlance of tight-rope walking presidential candidates as they trek the across the mined field of supporters who stick-foot-in-mouth) the whines of Hillary supporters who complain that the media is being sexist.
In reading this recent piece in Conde Nast's Portfolio about sexism in the workplace, I found myself agreeing wholeheartedly with HP's famous-ex-CEO, Carly Fiorina (despite her being a McCain supporter and all) as she was quoted in a recent interview:
"The reason I wouldn't deal with gender when I became C.E.O. of H.P. is that I believed in a meritocracy where gender isn't the issue. I wanted to play by the same rules. Look, I'm not an idiot. There are clearly things that are different for men and women in leadership. But I believe you have to be the change you seek."
Be the Change You Seek, indeed. Although maybe there are more women in the boardroom (WSJ $), and in executive management, than other "underrepresented" minorities. But that doesn't make the experience of sexism in today's work world, unreal. For as many times as I've...
been called "ambitious",
had a boss tell me not to swim too much because women with big shoulders are not attractive,
struggled to figure out what to wear to look stylish, but not overtly sexy,
been hit on by a superior with direct, and far-reaching authority, to determine my next opportunity at the firm
etc.
there may also have been times that I've benefited from being a (queue the immodesty alarm) smart, driven female professional. I'm not asking anyone to cry a river for me. Quite the opposite. Just as I-Heart-Barack-Obama appealed to the public the other day to have a frank, open and honest discussion about race relations, I appeal to - at least my small circle of friends - to have some friendly, open discussion about sexism in our companies and our society. I wholeheartedly intend to compete-the-pants off of my male counterparts during the course of my career, but I also want to raise a glass to thank the women of my mother's generation - yes, including Hillary - that sacrificed and strove, so I could be as successful as I am capable of being (though long way to go there still :)).
UPDATE: A few more interesting articles/op-ed pieces about sexism and racism this weekend. Neither really offer any unique insight, but just help present the information in a different way.
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