September 5, 2008

Earlier this week, I Twittered my status to Facebook: Waiting for feminists to defend Palin.

The response was interesting, with replies from people I respect. Here is one such exchange:

brown_dog @metamarshall why would feminists defend her? She is against everything they stand for.

metamarshall @brown_dog Everything? So because of a few social issues, she is a pariah? Condi Rice will welcome her to the club.

brown_dog @metamarshall maybe they are soul sisters?

metamarshall @brown_dog Maybe, but it certainly undermines the movement if you have to fall in lockstep to be 'credible'

Others just asked, "Why defend her?"

The carnage has been ugly. It has ranged from the sexist attacks on whether she could (or should) be VP with 5 children to the disgusting exploitation of her 17 year-old daughter.

Why defend her?

I'll tell you why. I have two young daughters and that is all the reason in the world to defend her.

My girls don't know anything about the social issues that make Palin a less desirable role model for "true" feminists. Nor should they, unless someone can make a good argument for explaining abortion to a second grader and a kindergartner. All they know is that a woman is running for the Vice President of the United States of America.

In a nation that bends over backwards to kowtow at the altar of diversity, diversity of thought is a major no-no. Because Palin has a different set of morals (not saying whether she is right or wrong, although mine parallel), she should be allowed vicious gender-based attacks?

Although he has sons instead of daughters, my buddy Pete has used Palin as an example for his kids as well. Her nomination demonstrates to them that girls are just as capable as boys.

To paraphase a currently popular role model, "America, we are better than our last eight days."