I’m Not Voting For Obama

My name is Chello. I live in Maryland. I have a wife and three children. I always take my children with me to vote. For one, the youngest likes the stickers. Secondly, I want them to learn about and be active in the process. I’m not voting for Obama.

I’m voting for my father. Who in the 1930’s was put in an insane asylum for his relationship with a black woman. He was only released to serve in WWII.

I’m voting for my mother, who unbeknownst to her, gave me the structure to be a proud man and a feminist. I want her to be financially secure and not have to worry about her retirement.

I’m voting for my brothers and sisters. My best friends and supporters.

I’m voting for my son, Malakai. Who can go to school and say “I want to be President” and not get the same “yeah right” looks that I did.

I’m voting for my daughter, Chelsea. Who can look forward to going to college and a bright future.

I’m voting for my daughter, Nichole. Who one day may be able to look up and see that there is no glass ceiling.

I’m voting for the class I gave a career day lecture to because I want their future to be bright.

I’m voting for the prisoners I counsel. I want them to be accountable for their crimes but I also want them to feel that justice truly is blind.

I’m voting for my community. A community that has more prisons than colleges. A community where jobs are few and morale is low.

I’m voting for the plumber who fixes things in my house. Who still gives me deals despite not being able to afford health care.  His name is Marty. 

I’m voting for all the people who died and suffered in the Civil Rights Movement.

I’m voting for all my fellow feminist bloggers.  We may disagree on politics, the direction of feminism, even if a man can be a feminsit, the sports teams that we root for, and many other things but people who I have grown to trust and care for.   I respect your opinions and wish you well. 

I’m voting for a government that will invest in its future. I’m voting for a government that will be respected and represent what is best about the world. I’m voting for a government that will protect it’s most vulnerable population like children, the elderly, and the working poor. I’m voting for a government that rewards volunteerism and makes higher education more than a dream.

I’m punching the ticket that says Obama/ Biden but it’s more than the candidates. It’s about a better tomorrow for all of us. I’m voting for that.

Where’s the apology?

Another athlete, with a history of assaulting women, assaults a woman and apologizes to everyone, thats right you guessed it, except the woman.

This has been an all too common occurence. Apologies include the owner, his teammates, the fans and then the seemingly obligatory I need to change. However, the most important part of change is being accountable. By not apologizing to the victim fails to fulfill actually being accountable. Let’s get it right. Saying “I’m Sorry” is not being accountable. This has long been apart of male privilege. Saying sorry but not actually taking steps to make amends or make sure that you make changes especially when it comes to our view of women. Historically, just like in rape cases, I’m going to hear “Well, what did she do to him for him to act that way?” The better question for all men is to ask “Who is doing this to women? And Why?” In short terms, it’s us because it works and it is accepted. Male Privilege. Until men start having discussions like that one the only answer we will have is “that is just the way things are”. Maybe if men like Larry Johnson who has his face on the internet and tv start apologizing publicly to their victims and break the deafining silence by owning up to their behavior and acknowledging our abuse and oppression, we can start accepting the reality of our male privilege. By not apologizing to the victim, we are silently contesting their reality. We discredit them as victims to other men because of the above mentioned questions that will inevitably be asked. Often first by the law enforcment who do further victimization.

How many young men wearing Larry Johnson jerseys are getting the wrong message from his “apology” and will victimize women themselves? Just a thought.

Women for John McCain (Nicely Done)

Links, In case you missed them…….

In Iraq, Female fighters: We won’t stand for male dominance

broader possibilities for women in Afghanistan

In “Racism without the Racist”, this author tackles how unconscious discrimination plays a major role in job acquistion.

Something to add to your bookshelf, “The Road of Lost Innocence”

If Sarah Palin has her way there will be no reproductive privacy

One of my favorites. Hip hop and feminism in “Before I Discovered Feminism

Take care everyone.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

This Is What a Feminist Looks Like