The Palin Connection

All this talk about Governor Palin and her feminine mystique has gotten me thinking about being guilty by association. It has also gotten me thinking about how people expect you to represent a whole sub-set of population.

For instance, when I was growing up in this country, in small suburbs, I was often one of two or three Indian girls in the school. So when things like Homecoming or Sadie Hawkins would come around well-meaning neighbors would ask point blank if I was going with one of the two Indian boys in the school. Another incident that comes to mind is when people to this day think that just because I am Indian I can represent all things Indian or know all things Indian. That is an awesome burden. For instance, in an academic institution of all places, a professor pointed to me in a classroom and said “oh you must know Vandana Shiva.” Does he mean personally? Because I do try my best to have written correspondence with all 1 billion people in India and know them intimately. Or does he mean because I am Indian I should know all Indian authors and activists? Once again, this is an incredible burden and responsibility to place on someone.

This brings me back to Ms. Palin. I think as a woman it is a complete disservice to feminism and all of our sisters and mothers who have come before us to vote for Ms. Palin because of our anatomical similarities. If as a woman you vote for Ms Palin because you are impressed with her qualifications, her interests, her ability to combine motherhood and career or what ever else, then that is a true choice.

What bothers me most, of course, is the media and the political pundits. The inane questions they ask are insulting to all of us. Why are women automatically being asked if they will vote for the McCain-Palin ticket now that a woman is on the ballot? When the race was between Hillary and Obama, Black women were repeatedly insulted by being asked who you will vote for this election. The underlying point of course is, will they be able to separate race from gender? But how come these first-rate journalists did not think to ask White men the same question? Will they vote for Obama or Clinton? Will they vote based on gender or race?

Press and Pundits-please get this right. One vote, one voice. There is no way that can equal the women of America or the African-Americans of America, or the Latinos of America. It only equals one POWERFUL voice.