I am not a feminist.
An unpopular statement to make as a young American woman, but it’s true. In this age of Steinem, the National Organization for Women, and “The Feminist Mystique,” I grew up understanding that feminists were bra-burning, man-eating whiners.
The stereotype (and yes, I’ll concede that it’s a stereotype) is liberal. She supports abortion, the euphemistic “right to choose,” the “empowerment” that comes with promiscuity, and anything that might come out of Hillary Clinton’s mouth.
It was often assumed that all successful, educated women gladly clung to this stereotype and until recently, conservative girls had little hope of there being a prominent woman who did otherwise. Now a new role model has entered the spotlight.
In May, I remember the name “Sarah Palin” being tossed around as a long-shot veep choice for John McCain. Though I am opposed to electing a female president at this point in time, I had little trouble entertaining the thought of this conservative woman on McCain’s lackluster ticket.
Now, several months later, Palin isn’t exactly a long shot. Conservatives and Republicans view her as the catalyst that brought excitement to a presidential campaign that had been lacking enthusiasm since its inception.
More importantly, Palin has been the catalyst that is changing the face of modern American feminism.
Her anti-abortion stance is largely uncontested. Often, I have been told my anti-abortion views wouldn’t be so strong if I was faced with an unwanted or troubled pregnancy. Sarah Palin (a member of Feminists for Life) has real-world experience. Giving birth to a baby with Down syndrome eliminates the hypothetical argument.
Her public life is just as encouraging. Like most McCain supporters, I am in awe of the Arizona senator’s years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. There is no doubt that Palin feels the same way, yet she is brave and tough enough to stand up to him as she stands beside him. Palin has no problem drawing the distinction between her opinions and McCain’s on such issues as drilling and marriage. The same cannot be said of the Democratic vice presidential nominee Joseph Biden who, just months ago, argued tirelessly that Obama was not ready to be president, but now claims that he is the best man for the job. Real convincing.
In spite of their slight differences, McCain, of course, has the utmost confidence in Gov. Palin. He often refers to her cutting waste in Alaska. Her predecessor, Republican Frank Murkowski, used state funds to purchase a private jet and hire a personal chef and driver. These became symbols of corruption and extravagance in Alaskan government. Palin got rid of all three, proving she isn’t just a pretty figurehead; she’s willing to combat the status quo of what she refers to as “the good ol’ boys network.” She is an immensely popular governor and an obviously loving mother.
For years I have witnessed “feminists” claim they can have it all, while demanding the government help them along the way. These women applaud hero(ines) like Hillary Clinton, knowing full well that many of her achievements were only possible because of the high-profile womanizer she married. They assure men and traditionalists that women can rise to any heights but complain of an insurmountable “glass ceiling.”
Sarah Palin breaks this mold (and maybe even that ceiling). She is ““ dare I say it? ““ a true maverick. At 44, her achievements are her own. She can do it all and ““ sorry Friedan ““ look good doing it.
Now, thanks to a charismatic, strong, conservative woman (whom liberals have reduced to a “Caribou Barbie”) the face of modern feminism is shifting ““ shifting to a more traditional, mainstream mind-set.
Could it be that I would be a feminist in Sarah’s America?
Bowers is a first-year political science student and a member of Bruin Republicans.