I support Hillary Clinton, I voted for her in the primaries and if she wins the democratic spot I will vote for her in the general election. There are countless reasons why I support her: like her vast experience, social and economic policies, and foreign policies. The one people seem to be the most concerned about, is that I support her being a woman. Now let me make something very clear, I would never vote for someone on the sole basis of their gender, if Carly Fiorina were up against Martin O’Malley in some weird universe, O’Malley would absolutely get my vote. I will always vote on politics before anything else.
That being said, Hillary Clinton being a woman matters to me. The potential for the most powerful position in America to be held by a woman matters to me. After over 200 years, a woman finally being in charge of the Oval Office matters to me. I am not studying political science and I have literally no intention of going into politics, but the laws made by politicians affect my everyday life, my right to healthcare, and my paycheck. With women still not making the same amount as men for doing the same work I literally cannot afford to vote for someone who does not care about equal pay and other women’s issues. Hillary Clinton has made it clear where she stands on women’s rights, and I stand beside her.
There are a lot of criticisms on Hillary Clinton, and many of them are valid. Her history with social justice issues and support from big banks are both completely acceptable concerns. Being hesitant of her after the email scandal is a valid concern. The problem arises when the critiques of Hillary Clinton are about her “shrill” voice, lack of smile, or army of pantsuits. You would never accuse Bernie Sanders of having a “witch cackle” of a laugh. You would never say Joe Biden should spend more time with his grandchildren rather than engaging in politics. These are not political based criticisms, they’re thinly veiled sexist attacks. Not every attack on Clinton is sexist, and it would be absurd of me to say so, but it’s there both subtly
and obviously.
I voted for Hillary, and hope to vote for her again, because I want her economics, her foreign policy, and her leading the country for the next four (hopefully eight) years. I want someone who will fight for equal pay and paid family leave, someone who is backed by Planned Parenthood, and someone who believes that women’s rights are human rights. I’m with her, and I refuse to apologize for that.