For those in pain because today is not the day Hillary Rodham Clinton becomes President of the United States

Today, many men and women of good will toward this country and its new president are, nevertheless, heavy-hearted. These are men and women who looked heartily forward to seeing Hillary Rodham Clinton inaugurated president. In an election cycle when winning the Democratic nomination was tantamount to winning the presidency, these men and women worked and rooted hard for Mrs. Clinton during a hotly contested Democratic primary season, one where she won the popular vote and where we can never know for sure who would have won at the Democratic National Convention had announced and promulgated Party procedures been allowed to run their course.

Some of these men and women supported Mrs. Clinton despite of her gender, some because of her gender. For some, gender truly was not part of the equation of their support. Some, like me, started as a firm Clinton supporter for reasons that had nothing to do with Mrs. Clinton's gender and ended up realizing that in order for this country to ever elect a woman president, we will have to work together at the deepest of social and cultural levels - let alone in politics -to eradicate the misogyny and sexism that reared its head as soon as it became clear that there was high likelihood that a woman would become the next president of the United States. Misogyny and sexism did not just pop up out of nowhere, either. It was used deliberately or willfully ignored by alleged liberals from whom we expected so much better.

The pain felt today by many of Mrs. Clinton's supporters is the pain of frustration: frustration at realizing how deeply and pervasively sexism and misogyny infiltrate our lives and our world. It is the pain of impatience: impatience with others' obliviousness to the infiltration. It is the pain of anticipated toil: the toil ahead to put women into 51 percent of the positions in all spheres of public life so that eventually one woman with even half the qualifications of Mrs. Clinton will indeed be elected President of the United States of America.

We can take that pain and turn it totally inward, to the point where it exhausts us. Or we can take that pain and turn it outward, in the form of energy to fuel the changes we demand. As I have listened to Mrs. Clinton herself spend her time in the build up to being confirmed Secretary of State, I have witnessed a leader showing us how to do the latter. I do not know Mrs. Clinton personally, but from what I know of human nature and what I can glean from her odyssey since Denver, surely she has experienced some of the pain so many of her supporters feel today. I am also sure that, like all of us, she will always carry some measure of the pain within her. What makes Mrs. Clinton's leadership so extraordinary is that she exemplifies the power of pushing through the inner pain or going around it or using it to fuel continuing achievements.

If today you are among the hurt and the angry, remember that tomorrow (or the next day or the day on which you are ready), you will have a chance to take that hurt and anger and put it to use for full social justice for all people, including the 51 percent that are women.

Some pleasing surprises found today:

• a post over at Stray Dogs that Amble in: 51 Percent - "The New Women's Suffrage"
• donations from those who have recognized today with a contribution to 51 Percent
• newly discovered site to see: Madam Secretary

Comments

[vb]

Heidi,

Thanks for speaking for many of us who are still too numb from the experience of being shoved aside throughout the primary and general election to articulate our feelings on this occasion.

Take care.

[Cyn]

Well said, Heidi. This is a terribly painful day and one that can't end too soon. We have lots of work ahead of us.

[fif]

What makes Mrs. Clinton's leadership so extraordinary is that she exemplifies the power of pushing through the inner pain or going around it or using it to fuel continuing achievements.

I am continually amazed by her strength and grace. I feel like I've cried more for her than she has! She is truly a leader, showing the way to persevere, even in the face of hostility and injustice.

And the pain of today is that I didn't want just "any" woman to be president. THIS woman embodies the women's rights struggle. She has given her life to it's cause, and earned the right to be THE first woman president in American history. She also would have been one of the greatest presidents--period--male or female. I will watch her career with great interest and support.

[Murph]

Lovely articulation of the ache and pain that truly overwhelmed me today, Heidi. As always, you put it in perspective and pointed toward a more constructive use of it. THANK YOU.

[Shtuey]

I have said before, and say again today that my pain and anger over what was done to Senator Clinton will not fade. I see no reason to let it. It's a badge, a reminder. And you are wise Heidi to remind us that we must choose what we are going to do with that anger. I choose to stand with you and everyone else committed to helping women achieve full representation in our society, and advance the promulgation of universal human rights.

I do take solace in the hope that as Secretary of State, Senator Clinton will change the culture of Foggy Bottom to help direct the nation to use our influence and diplomatic networks to benefit those who are governed, over the interests of those who rule over them. We'll have to see if the Resident will allow her to do so.

[democraticjack]

My feeling is that some of the pain was not caused by events in the last year, but came from wounds being reopened exposing just how little progress we have made on women's issues. In 1959 I lived in a town with an all black high school; today we swore in a black president. That's 50 years of real progress. There is a lesson to be learned and I see Hillary Clinton as the signpost for a brighter future. She is a harbinger of change and she is a natural leader who has already left a historical legacy. I give all due credit to my friend, Heidi Li, as well who is going to keep the ball rolling forward. She too, is a changeling and a role model. Pay attention, ladies and gentlemen. The old ways will not suffice any longer.

[mtnkat]

Thank you for your fluency which expresses the sadness of so many.

To inaugurate a president who got there through fraud, mysogyny, and thuggery is not progress. Furthermore, the new President lacks the experience and judgment that America needs.

You do right to remind us of Hillary's example to be strong and continue. To help others, to work for social justice by what ever means we have, whenever we can -- that is important in life.

[chatblu]

Heidi Li, Many thanks for this post. The lassitude I have felt over the past two weeks may have camoflauged the pain.

[kavala007]

She was just confirmed as Secretary of State and that pleases me. Now her many talents will not go to waste.

Can we hope for 2012?

[Stray Yellar Dawg]

Interesting to note that the pain trickles down... even to the next generation:

http://syd4.blogspot.com/2009/01/new-study-reveals-how-2008-election.html

The consequences of the sexism we have endured will not be easy to remedy.

[ainnj]

"Citing personal reasons, Caroline Kennedy ends her bid for Senator."

Hmmm, perhaps Gov. Paterson has a bit of that "testicular fortitude" after all.

[Becky]

Thank you Heidi. Words of wisdom.

[JTurner]

Stray Yellar Dawg, thanks for that link to the blogpost. It seems the girls did not buy into what they were told by the MSM. I am glad to read in the full report that they remain undaunted and intend to pursue goals to elective offices despite the difficulties they perceive.