"There's absolutely no reason why a woman shouldn't be in that office, but I am not sure about this woman. It's insulting to assume that because you're a woman or a person of color, you would automatically back any woman or person of color. It's a little more complicated." - Susan Sarandon, Time

To which do I pledge allegiance first, my ovaries or my complexion? It's a question to which many women of color have been struggling with for decades while looking through the narrow prism of conventional feminism. As for me, it never was a question as to which took priority and reading misguided opinion pieces from the likes of Gloria Steinem and Erica Jong only reinforced why I don't bother hedging my bets in the name of "sisterhood."

One of the strategic fallacies of second-wave feminism was the imposition of a matriarchal party-line on the younger generation. As a woman, you are asked to be loyal to other women, especially the powerful ones, who want to represent you, but not necessarily protect you. Slavish devotion to the XX-factor is often taken for granted and being disloyal means you will be loaded with a pile of guilt. Complicating matters is the always apparent argument of the Oppression Olympics to which well-heeled elitists will pit gender vs. race. It is a very cynical ploy to pit the first viable woman candidate against the first viable Black candidate to have a chance at the Presidency. This is why the feminist movement continues to isolate communities of color. The proposition that Black men have advanced faster than White women in any aspect of American life is laughable at best. A simple snapshot at the composition of the United States Senate would provide a much needed wake-up call.

• Currently, there are 16 female Senators. 1 African American currently serves in the Senate. Obviously, a ratio of 16 to 1 is not exactly demonstrative of African American men "ascending to positions of power... before any women."
  
• Currently, there are 9 female and 1 African American serving as governors of their states. Obviously, a ratio of 9 to 1 is not exactly demonstrative of African American men "ascending to positions of power... before any women."

The mere notion that gender is more of a barrier than race is insulting, especially to someone like me - a woman of color. It sheds light on exactly why the feminist movement is no longer a catalyst for activism, its failure to see reality and continued pattern of exclusion.

For instance, if say... Condoleezza Rice was in the same position to make history for the Republican party, would I be expected as a "feminist" to support her? Black women especially are handicapped with a plexiglass ceiling that is often not high enough to stand up under, so would the same hold true? Me thinks not, especially since the bra burning Birkenstock crowd would eagerly forgive me for being in direct opposition with Condi's policies. Well, I don't agree with Hillary Rodham Clinton and I won't support her.

If that makes me fit neatly into the generation gap demographic of under 30's women who decide to think with my head and not my labia, so be it. If she represents the best that the 70's women's movement has to offer, then no — we haven't come a long way, baby. She tolerated her husband's repeated infidelities in exchange for political gain. She didn't bother to build on the foundation built after years spent in Arkansas, instead preferring to play carpetbagger for an easy score for political gain. And while she has capably served my state as Patrick Moynihan's junior predecessor the past 7 years, I can't recall a single meaningful bill passed to benefit New York in the Senate.

The most glaring, unconscionable example of her questionable readiness on Day One was her vote for the 2002 authorization of military force towards Iraq without even reading the National Intelligence Estimate. And to follow that colossal blunder with a vote in favor of the Kyl-Lieberman act speaks volumes. 35 years of experience? Give me a break. I want to know about her judgment, which was curiously absent on a war which has cost America more lives than those who perished on 9/11.

Frankly, I would not vote for a man with Senator Clinton's legislative record, much less a woman. And to imply anything less simply hurts my feelings.

Labels: feminism, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Indecision '08, politics

2008 is a much more complex and dangerous time than was 1960. Technology alone has made the world a vastly different place. A bombshell endorsement from both Caroline and Ted will not reincarnate John F. Kennedy as Barack Obama or rekindle the yesteryear of Camelot.

Nevertheless, it still remains quite a historic distinction and the largest direct investment of the Kennedy clan's political capital that the Democratic party has ever seen.

Something special is going on right now and this could be just the tip of the iceberg.

Labels: Barack Obama, Indecision '08, politics

"The restoration of the Clintons to the White House would trigger a new wave of all-out political warfare. That is not all Bill and Hillary's fault - but it exists, whomever you blame, and cannot be ignored. Hillary Clinton doesn't pretend that it won't happen - she simply vows to persevere, in the hope that her side can win. Indeed, the Clinton's joint career in public life seems oriented toward securing victory and personal vindication." - The State, January 22, 2008

It's a testament of how the utter disaster that is the Bush administration can make me lose sight of why the second-term incarnation of the Hil & Bill show left such a bitter taste in my mouth. They alternate between prickly and sleazy while spreading cherry picked disinformation about their opponents as the gospel. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that the Clinton Machine will steamroll right over anybody in their way toward the Oval Office, and they're demonstrating that in spades. Innuendo, character assassination on the flimsiest if not false premises, miscasting words and ideas and actions, the whole nine yards.

But in spite of the smears and all out machinations of the status quo, this fresh faced challenger rose to the occasion and thrived on it. I was seriously worried as to whether Barack Obama could withstand the tag team of ambition and desperation simultaneously, but now I see that one needn't mistake kindness for weakness. He's ready.

Labels: Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Indecision '08, politics

"I've been married to my wife for 10 years. But if she came up here, you wouldn't laugh." - Chris Rock

If at first you don't succeed, dust yourself off and cry again. Or claim to have found your voice after 35 years of public service only to leave the heavy lifting to your attack dog of a husband who also happens to be the 42nd President of the United States. Make your running platform a nod to experience and competence when you're clearly lacking in both areas. Anyone who claims politics isn't one helluva tragicomedy clearly hasn't been paying attention to the Democratic race for the Oval Office.

This whole process felt like déjà vu to me, as if I'd seen the trailer for this long before. The gratingly annoying overachiever who felt as if her coronation was inevitable only to see the popular jock riding a surging momentum wave into what was thought to be an insurmountable lead. And alas, I had. Slate has put forward the most hilarious and comprehensive screenplay of where the parallels are coming from. Yes ladies and gentlemen, Hillary Rodham Clinton is Tracy Flick. If you haven't seen Election, do yourselves a huge favor and make it a Blockbuster night immediately. Or better yet, check out the ingenious mashup below.

Labels: Hillary Rodham Clinton, Indecision '08, movies, politics

Being a Big Apple sports fan has been tough this past year. The Yankees suffered another disappointing exit in the postseason, the Mets crashed and burned before even making it there and the Knicks aren't worth bringing into the discussion. But just in time to swing a wrecking ball square in the hopes of fantasy football fans, the New York Giants are headed to the Super Bowl. It's hard to decide what's sweeter: putting an end to the never ending blowjob given season long to Brett Favre courtesy of the media or having the chance to derail perfection in New England. Talking heads kept picking against them, but if they only heeded the advice of Zamunda's royalty — the end result wouldn't have been a surprise to the odds makers. Onward to Phoenix!

Labels: football, New York Giants, playoffs, Super Bowl

January 20, 2008 — Restructure your life from top to bottom. Throw out everything that no longer serves a purpose and in doing so make room for new and more valuable things to come in. You were born on the cusp of conservative Capricorn and radical Aquarius but you must lean more to the latter this year.

There are the types of personalities who get fixated on particular times of year. For some it may be Christmas with an overload of holly and ivy to make even Santa seem like public enemy #1. Or maybe Halloween is the obsession of choice with full fledged jack o'lantern excess. For me? Ever since I was old enough to remember, it was all about the natal day. Not like I needed an extra excuse to focus my OCD for a good cause, but it was just plain fun. Planning my beauty appointments and crossing them off my checklist in preparation was being like a kid in a candy store. There was the all day spa pampering, getting my hair done, indulging at one too many cosmetic counters and toasting it up with friends. What's not to love?

But call it maturity or just being too cash strapped to act the fool, this year I've got a serious case of the blah's. I don't really care and for some strange reason... it's not even bothering me. I'm still in sweats, hair's a complete mess and I have no intentions of stepping outside my front door. Is this what getting older does to you? Do you need to consciously suppress the kid within or is it a necessary trade off as the digits climb higher on the age ladder? Maybe it's the thought of transitioning from my 20's sooner rather than later that has my ass in a tailspin.

Regardless of mixed emotions, I do still believe in counting my blessings and hoping the coming forecast is better than the last. And today holds quite two significant milestones that can still make a jaded bitch like me smile. Just a bit.

• The Giants can take their first step back to the Super Bowl in 7 years at Lambeau Field this afternoon. Here's hoping that cheeseheads end up sobbing in their beers and the fairytale of Brett Favre ends like a pumpkin at midnight when all is said and done. Go Big Blue!
• The fascist regime better known as the Bush crime syndicate will have their reign of lies, theocracy and bullshit come to a permanent end exactly 365 days from today.
  

I don't know about you, but the latter has me rethinking a stance on celebration.

Happy birthday, Aquarius! Peace and goodwill are your two best friends. Striving to attain a harmonious environment comes naturally, and that's why you are blessed with many good friendships. This year will be one in which you're able to strengthen your domain, tie up any loose ends, concentrate on family and home, and lay the foundations for future happiness, personal and professional triumph. The world is your oyster.

From that astrologer's lips to God's ears. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a few red velvet cupcakes to devour in rapid succession.

Labels: birthday, reflection

"Drink up baby down
Are you in or are you out?
Leave your things behind
'Cause it's all going off without you
Excuse me too busy you're writing a tragedy
These mess-ups you bubble-wrap
When you've no idea what you're like..." - Frou Frou, Let Go

It's been said that you should be careful what you wish for... because you just might get it. And as I tend do with most proverbs and parables, I rolled my eyes and whipped myself right back into a stubborn frenzy, high off my own ignorance. Well, one truism in life is that a hard head makes for a soft ass. And 2007 was one motherfucker of a learning curve.

I used to spend countless hours sitting at my desk gazing out at the Brooklyn Bridge, wishing I could blink twice, ending up back home in my PJ's so I could be free to bullshit online without the threat of the powers that be keeping tabs on my every move. But after getting laid off last March, turning on my laptop was the least of my worries. I had free time to burn and couldn't even wrap my brain a single coherent way to process my thoughts because I was spazzing about one million things a minute.

It became less and less about the frivolous and more and more about the factual. Couldn't risk getting sick since my health insurance went the way of the 8-track. Endless sleepless nights worrying about just how I was going to pay my damn mortgage. Being forced to sell off shit so I could keep my cable and cell phone turned on.

And as the cherry on the top of my bullshit sundae, I fell into one of the worst depressions I've ever had the misfortunes of experiencing. This wasn't something that could be remedied with a quick fix. I lost my sense of direction, my confidence and optimism became a dirty word. I felt so isolated from everything and everyone, the only thing that made sense was complete withdrawal. So, cutting off contact forced me to do some serious self-examination that's still underway. I'm not pretending to have found the fountain of truth and everything's coming up roses, but for the first time in months, I actually feel better today than I did yesterday. And damn it, that still counts for something.

So, with the calendar peeling off '07 into '08, it's not only time to turn over a new leaf mentally, but also site wise. You may notice things look a bit different here and the upgrade definitely suits my mood of out with the old, in with the new.

I know the two people who still bothered to float through the past few months are thinking, "ain't this 'bout some bullshit... look what the cat dragged in!" Yeah, the light's back on and your eyes aren't deceiving you. This is not a test of the emergency blogcast system. Instead of deeming this comeback woefully overdue, I'd like to think that I'm just fashionably late. So in the immortal words of Samantha Fox, "it's hard to keep a good woman down... but, then again, maybe that could be fun..."

Happy belated New Year, bitches.