ABOUT TIME

Just when you think that gender doesn't matter in 2016, guess what it does!  The fact that a woman, a very capable woman, has finally received the nomination from a major party for the presidency is a big deal in this country.  Never mind that other countries have been gender blind for many years; even Sri Lanka realized that in 1960, not to mention Indira Gandhi, Golda Meir and the German Chancellor Merkel.  Apparently to some "all men were created equal" didn't mean all people.  Though I do believe that was their intent.  America the leader of the world in so many ways is pitching a fit because we might have a woman running the show, pathetic.

Yet this woman, this very capable woman, has been attacked continuously and put under the microscope for everything from her beliefs, actions and what she wears-- seriously!! ( Though I wish someone would do a little fashion update for her.)  I myself didn't really care what I wore for work considering often I'd be wearing hard hat, safety glasses and "mickey mouse" hearing protection. Not much of a fashionista, but then I was there to work, duh.

What are you afraid of people?  Does the idea of a smart, strong woman mess up your idea of America?  June Cleaver was a "fig newton" of your imagination.  Women have been working alongside the men to survive forever, outside of the 1950's apparently.  Do you think Farmer Jones managed his farm on his own?  Or the pioneers traveled across the country facing hardships and overcoming them were all masculine? Or the only ones who can hunt and shoot and defend themselves stand to pee? Or all university students, engineers, soldiers, architects, artists, etc, etc are not "all the people".

Can people seriously support a man who continually lies, cheats, bullies, pouts when crossed and shoots down everything this country believes in?  The dude doesn't even pay his bills as is evidenced by the number of lawsuits brought against him to collect wages and bills legitimately contracted for services rendered.  Who accuses people of ethnic bias or calls them names when they go against him. Classy.  And of course, let's hand the checkbook to the guy who declared bankruptcy four times which means he stiffed everyone he owed money to. Nice. Let's hand him the checkbook for the United States.  Anyone not think he is in this for the power?  Think again.

And to those who oppose the legitimate candidate that is running you ask why, they say "you can't trust her".  Explain.  Benghazi - not one person's fault and actually more embassies have been attacked and more people killed under every preceding president. Emails - the republican appointed FBI director has cleared her of wrong-doing in Congressional hearings who also had to state well, there were actually 3 possibly classified emails that were sent to her by others who should have known better.  Both "witch-hunts" were orchestrated by republicans with the "expressed" purpose of "bringing her down".  Unfortunately, their hand-picked candidates for president didn't make the cut.  Oops.

Having worked in a non-traditional profession for many years, I thought this kind of male vs. female crap had been eliminated.  I know what it is like to be thought of as less than capable because I wore a dress on occasion, resented even.  I didn't mind working harder to be credible and usually ignored the sticks and stones so to speak that were constantly hurled my way.  Some were bold or twisted enough to actually say "you'll never get it because you're a woman" - yes, literally.  Being raised as I was by a strong Mother however, I just shrugged and proceeded to do my job and exceed expectations every time. Boo Rah.  Though some might say "well the expectations were low due to your gender".  No, I went above and beyond what was expected by someone in my position because 1) it was the right thing to do; and 2) I was never one to hide intelligence behind a bushel basket to "get along".  Lonely sometimes but so rewarding when someone actually gets it and you know you've made a difference.

Oddly enough you have to fight the very people you're trying to help because they don't believe you're able to make changes. Listening to people and trying to work with them to see the light facilitated more change than forcefully imposing your will because you could. It's called respect. Swallowing your ego seems harder for the male of the species. Doing so and letting the other person "win" is not a weakness believe me.

I'll throw something else out there.  Women know what it is like to create life and we are much more cognizant of the actions that come into play that would eliminate it. Weakness?  I think not. Compassion and willingness to work through a problem is a strength that women have as their super powers.  Rarely would you see a woman up in the watch tower with a machine gun. We all need to embrace the ability to reason and bring consensus in this increasingly dangerous world. Seeking peaceful solutions may not sit well with some who see every problem as a nail that can only be addressed with a hammer.  Instead of throwing roadblocks we need to embrace the special talents that each of us brings forward. 

Yes, I am excited that a woman will be our leader and yes, it shouldn't make a damn bit of difference what gender, race, religion, ethnicity that person is.  This is the freedom this country promised us back in 1776. And one day I do hope that young people will find it common that ANYONE can achieve any lofty goal they set for themselves.