Friday, May 23, 2008
Democrats Should Be More Democratic and Less Sexist
Women have to face these facts:
Froma Harrop writes:
There was unfortunate symbolism in Barack Obama's choice of Des Moines as the place to celebrate his delegate milestone on the day of the Kentucky and Oregon primaries. The Iowa caucuses were the first contest of the nominating process, and Obama's success in them launched his campaign into the big time. But they were also the start of a deeply undemocratic process.
The caucuses produced no vote count. There were no secret ballots — but instead a public two-hour tussle that disenfranchised many parents of small children, shift workers and those who couldn't drive in the dark. Certain caucus-goers enjoyed several times the clout of others — it depended on where they lived. The result was not an election of delegates but of "delegate equivalents," a term with an Orwellian ring.
Bill Maxwell of the St.Pete Times has noted:
I am certain that Chisholm would not be surprised by the sexism Clinton faces. While Chisholm had seen some prejudice ease against blacks, she lamented the future for women: "How much harder will it be to eliminate the prejudice against women? I am sure it will be a longer struggle."
Indeed, the struggle continues.
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