Elizabeth is right, the gender question is a trap.
When asked about gender playing a role in people’s vote, a candidate saying yes is perceived as her making excuses or even complaining about men. But Elizabeth is right, even if she can’t say it, millions of people out there know it’s true.
It is 2020 and we are still watching women be asked, then forced, to step aside. Imagine being one of those women who after being forced aside are expected to answer questions about if your gender makes you unworthy. Imagine one of the little girls Liz pinky promised watch that. Imagine watching that during the years of your life where you are making decisions about your future and encouraged to follow your passion but also being constantly reminded not to aim too high.
And yes, this is personal.
Claiming women aren’t making it to the top because of ‘electability’ or ‘not being qualified’ or it just not being the ‘right time’ is disillusioned. It’s an easy way to move on because we are scared of putting in the work to talk about the sexism that permeates our society, both consciously and subconsciously.
Kirsten Gillibrand was too nice. Kamala Harris was too power hungry. Amy Klobuchar was too demanding. Elizabeth Warren did more physical, emotional, and intellectual labor than many of us have ever witnessed a candidate do only to go from being a top tier candidate to leaving the race in a few short months. While it is not the case that sexism is the only reason why women like Elizabeth, Amy, Kamala, Kirsten, Marianne, Tulsi, or Hillary have not made it to the top, it is undeniably a contributing factor.
For now, Elizabeth isn’t answering the question, ‘did your gender impact your campaign?’ And we can be upset about that. We can be frustrated with the systems that make that question a trap. But let us remember, it is not the job of one who experiences discrimination to educate us. It is our job to educate ourselves and each other. This will never change if we don’t talk about it.
