We're certainly not breaking news here, but I did think it was important to acknowledge how exciting it is that Obama's choices include three women: Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano as homeland security secretary, Susan Rice as ambassador to the United Nations, and yes, Senator Hillary Clinton as secretary of state. As I watched the news conference this morning and counted up the ladies on the line, I beamed from ear to ear.
Not only does it indicate that President Elect Obama will use his "first" to create lots of others, but it is really exciting that it's happening specifically with regards to security--an issue so often masculinized in popular and political culture. As we feminists know, national and international security is about more than military might, but also includes poverty alleviation, diplomacy and negotiation, and increasing women's power through out the world.
What do you think?
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National security or defense, especially in terms of militarism, is certainly masculinized, but it need not necessarily have to do with male bodies. Women can be just as, say, hawkish as men. The policies of the team need to represent a new direction, which will make me more comfortable than simply the gender composition of its policymakers.
This is my concern as well. Its a step forward in a way that shows just how f-ed up our governing is. The fact that we are finally getting this in 2008 is bad, but the fact that too many people will see this as substantial change is even worse (and more dangerous).
Some people will give them a pass on needed critiques for being female or they will feel the need to be even more hawkish because they are female, or both. Its a recipe for a dangerous situation. More power to them all for facing this, I hope they can resist easy wrongs for the hard rights.
Agreed Skippy! I don't think women are inherently more peaceful, diplomatic, or whatever (see Lisa Jervis' amazing essay on Femmenism in this regard.) I just think that gender balance is a good thing in government, public debate etc.
Amazing, right? My first thought were how many women he'd chosen. A sweet change.
So much for change. Looks like the same old same old in the Middle East.
This is absolutely amazing! What a fantastic Administration and we are almost there!
as an arizonan, i am going to miss governor napolitano mightily....she's been a wonderful governor, tough and fair and effective. she'll be a great secretary of the DHS. our loss is the country's gain.
only problem is, arizona's secretary of state, janice brewer, who's next in line for the governorship, is a right-wingnut. oi.
Sorry to hear that, baddesignhurts! I hope Ms. Brewer doesn't do too much damage!
Sorry to hear that, baddesignhurts! I hope Ms.Brewer doesn't do too much damage!
Brewer is truly scary, and our Legislature is one of the most conservative in the country. Janet vetoed at least three horrible anti-choice measures in the last legislative session alone, measures that Brewer would rubber stamp when she's in office. It's going to get ugly.
I was just thinking about that when I heard the news about her appointment! She has used her veto powers to save us from conservative bullcrap quite a few times...I'm really going to miss her. (And I'm a little scared)
Heh heh, oops. I was a little too impatient lol.
I'm very pleased--as a scholar of African civilization and literature--that Susan Rice is an expert in African affairs! Maybe her views don't perfectly align with mine, but she's very bright and will at least bring African issues to the vanguard of US foreign policy in the UN (I hope!).
As for Hillary Clinton, I really, really like her. I applied for a State Department internship for this summer (and will probably not get it), but if I do get to work with the Department, I will be thrilled to be working under Secretary Clinton!
Good for women! However, let's keep the pressure on Obama to make sure he has a gender-balanced Cabinet! So far, it is male-dominated.
I think Obama's making some great picks, but I'm so sad that the SW is losing two of the best governors they've ever had: AZ's Napolitano and NM's Richardson.
I really like Susan Rice, and seeing any government team with demographics more representative of the population is a plus. In general, though, I see more progress in minorities rising to elected rather than appointed positions. Bush touted his female cronies (Karen Hughes, Dana Perino, Condi) as much as possible to snuff out any argument that he oppressed women's rights, meanwhile his policies certainly did.
The more equality we see with regards to the top political positions is a good thing. This point will not be disputed.
However, we should never allow someone to be appointed to such a position not be scrutinized. It is not only about getting women into power, it is about getting the right women into power.
For example, I would like to see more gay and lesbian people in power (I am not holding my breath), but I wouldn't pick Larry Craig for the job. I would like to see more black people in power, but I wouldn't have picked Clarence Thomas.
It is true, to compare Hilary Clinton, Susan Rice, or Janet Napolitano to Larry Craig or Clarence Thomas is a bit extreme. But the point remains the same, no one, including our beloved Barack Obama, should supported or not based on anything except policy.