Politics and Current
Attacks on Kamala Harris for not having children are harmful to all women
Jim Vondruska/Getty Images
It’s been not possible to escape the headlines about J.D. Vance since he was announced because the Republican vice presidential candidate earlier this month, most recently with a 2021 statement during which he described Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as “a bunch of childless cat women who are miserable with their lives and the choices they’ve made, and they want the rest of the country to be miserable, too.”
Of course, despite recent emphasis, there’s nothing latest concerning the centuries-old stigma that childless women face. (Namely, because there’s nothing original about his loud, daring ignorance.) Mediocrity aside, he’s adding a brand new twist to an old conversation: Childless women are continually subjected to unsolicited opinions about their life selections and overall value. But until they’re viewed with respect and dignity, moms won’t ever experience a society that recognizes healthy motherhood and maternal agency.
When Vance was called to comment on his 2021 comments, he doubled down, claiming that Americans were not concerned about his statement but were as a substitute concerned concerning the Democratic Party’s “clearly anti-family” policies. As much as I hate to say it, I agree with the mustard seed of his perspective — Democrats, however the Republican Party and broader national practices are anti-family. But for black communities and various other communities, that may be a legacy, not a recent change, evident within the medical, educational and financial divide between the haves and the have-nots.
Historically, black moms have given birth, sometimes by force, and have assumed the responsibility of protecting their children from this disordered world. Yet, an increasing variety of black women are opting out.
One of them is Angela L. Harris, PhD, psychologist and founder No bibs, bottles or burpingwhose goal is to empower, highlight, and have fun childless Black women in order that they can accept and live their best childfree lives, free from societal expectations and stereotypes. She notes that childless women challenge societal norms because their lifestyles contradict the gorgeous, ideal image of the perfect family.
“Having a husband, children and a white picket fence is the way to go — or so we thought. Many people think that a girl becomes a woman only for one reason — to have children,” she says. “It’s hard to accept that a woman can be completely happy and secure without the title of ‘mother.’”
I could be lying if I said I wasn’t moved by the picture-perfect image Harris describes. But I quickly learned that the calls to “be fruitful and multiply” were a whistle to whiteness, not something we were excited about. My own work is advocacy confirming motherhood that prioritizes our humanity as we raise children amidst the narrative that Black women exist to serve others, no matter maternal status. We have been robbed, abused, and coerced into funding the American capitalist structure through our reproduction. The significance of reproductive agency strikes multiple chords. The collective struggles of Black moms and childless Black women create an accurate understanding of who we are, despite what Professor Melissa Harris-Perry calls the “Crooked Peace.”
In her book, she uses this image to describe the difficulties black women face in trying to develop a healthy self-image in a world where stereotypes control destiny. The first is Jezebelsexually seductive, hypersexual maneater. The second is Sapphirethe offended, rude, emasculating and never satisfied black woman. And finally, Mommy, “a happy slave and caregiver” who happily puts the needs of others, especially her white slaves, above her own life.
These stereotypes have evolved, becoming more insidious, now emerging because the perpetually pregnant welfare queen with multiple fathers, the bitter single profession woman, and the black woman who lives in service to everyone but herself. As before, they reduce the dynamic, complex identities of black women and force us to awkwardly try to find footing in a structure during which we will barely breathe, let alone stand. These false narratives contribute to higher rates of mental and physical health disparities, generational trauma of “strong black womanhood,” and normalize unfulfilled lives for all of us, not just those that don’t have children. But childless women are categorized as “useless” and “disconnected” from the larger group in nuanced ways.
Harris notes that the belief that all childfree people are self-absorbed, hate children, and don’t contribute to society ignores the reality. These traits describe many individuals, no matter parenting status. “These false narratives, biases, and assumptions harm us all because we never truly engage in mutual understanding, reflection, and peace. The division and hierarchy persist—often the result of years of rhetoric and pressure about what womanhood and motherhood really are.”
I agree. Black women have long been trapped in a no-win situation. As moms, we are judged by the variety of children we have now and are subjected to assumptions concerning the contexts during which we have now them. If you will have one or two, you must have more, but never greater than 4; that is simply too many. I even have personal experience with comments rooted in promiscuity, hypersexuality, and hyperfertility.
Childless black women challenge these images directly, but experience a relentless invalidation of their value beyond their ability to care for others. However, false narratives that black women’s only value is their ability to sacrifice harm all of us, not just those that don’t have children. Harris notes that it’s vital to emphasize that women are also childless for a wide range of reasons, including intentional selection, circumstance, and infertility.
“Our stories of being childless by choice or childless by circumstance are just as important as someone’s birth story—and guess what—it’s all OK!” she says. “Women have a CHOICE, but the ‘choice’ is really directed at your girls when a pink dress, a baby apron, and a baby doll are put in their hands!”
As a mother, my advocacy for childless Black women is rooted in my advocacy for reproductive justice: the human right to maintain personal bodily autonomy, to have children, not to have children, and to raise the children we have now in protected and sustainable communities. This also means ensuring access to resources—like in vitro fertilization and maternal health care options—for Black women who want children but are unknowingly childless.
My support can be rooted in a full awareness of what it takes to purposefully raise children and maintain a way of self-worth and identity beyond them. Mothers are celebrated publicly. But left to cope with the isolation and struggles of raising children in a pro-birth, anti-family society in private.
I do not know why Kamala, the proud stepmother, and others did not have children. But I do know childless women who keep showing up as aunts, godmothers, and friends to bridge the gap. Childless women show up for the community; we have now to show up for them, too.
“Whether you choose to be childless or motherless, it’s not a perfect life, but it can be a good life,” Harris says. “As women, our freedoms and rights are at risk, and exercising our right to vote is what really matters now.”
Politics and Current
Barack and Michelle Obama understand Kamala Harris’ loss to Trump
Former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama broke their silence Wednesday night after their friend Kamala Harris was defeated by Donald Trump within the 2024 presidential election.
“Clearly, this is not the outcome we had hoped for, given our deep disagreements with the Republican ticket on many issues,” Obama said in a joint statement. statement with wife Michelle Obama.
The powerful political couple, who campaigned vigorously against Trump in the ultimate weeks of the election cycle, added: “But living in a democracy is about recognizing that not every point of view will always prevail and being willing to accept a peaceful solution.” transfer of power.”
In an act of courtesy, America’s first Black president and first lady congratulated President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, just because the Obamas welcomed Donald Trump and Melania Trump to the White House when he was elected in 2016.
Despite the Democrats’ defeat, the Obamas said they “could not be more proud” of Vice President Harris and his running mate, Gov. Tim Walz, whom they called “two extraordinary servants” to “run an extraordinary campaign.”
“We will always be grateful to the employees and volunteers who poured their hearts and souls into electing public officials they truly believed in,” they continued.
The Obamas were extremely vocal throughout the campaign in support of Harris and Walz. The historically politically reserved pair have been particularly critical of Trump’s character, warning voters about his embrace of racist ideologies, penchant for authoritarianism and economic policies that can profit him and his wealthy allies.
However, voters overwhelmingly selected Donald Trump because the forty seventh president of the United States. Not only has Trump surpassed the 270 electoral votes needed to win the White House, but he may additionally win the favored vote after a full count of all votes nationwide.
Former President Obama sought to provide global context for Harris’ loss, acknowledging the results of the 2020 pandemic that included “price increases” and “rapid changes” that left residents feeling as in the event that they were “treading water” economically “no matter how hard they work.”
“These conditions make it difficult for Democratic officials around the world, and last night showed that America is not immune,” Obama said.
According to A report from Vox: “2024 was the biggest election year in world history; More people voted this year than ever before. “Across the world, voters have told the party in power – regardless of its ideology or history – that it is time for change.”
The Obamas said: “The good news is that these problems can be solved.” But they added that solving them would come down to Americans listening to one another and upholding “the fundamental constitutional principles and democratic norms that have made this country great.”
“In a country as large and diverse as ours, we will not always be able to see everything. However, progress requires us to show good faith – even to people with whom we deeply disagree,” they explained. “That’s how we’ve come this far, and that’s how we will continue to build a country that is fairer, more equal and more free.”
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Politics and Current
Karine Jean-Pierre catches the eye of a Fox reporter who tests her with numerous questions after Donald Trump’s victory
Two days after Donald Trump’s resounding election victory, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre’s body language spoke for just about all Democrats. She looks like she’d slightly attend a full-day insurance seminar with no bathroom breaks than one other day of answering reporters’ questions.
But it’s her job, and in two months it can be another person’s job (assuming the Trump administration allows the press to enter the White House). Until then, Jean-Pierre’s cheerful and nice demeanor will likely be put to the test.
She became visibly emotional Thursday in an interview with Fox News reporter Jacqui Heinrich after a seemingly benign query asked at her each day news conference about the Biden administration’s pre-election rhetoric.
“This administration has given millions of Americans the message that when they wake up the day after the election, if Trump wins and takes away their rights, democracy will fall apart. And the president said today: “Everything will be fine.” Heinrich he asked“So how do we even it out?”
From there, things got touchy.
“I can fix it. “I will explain this in a way that I hope makes sense because I have answered this question many times,” he replied Jean-Pierre.
In interview for PBS two weeks before the election, President Joe Biden was putting pressure on the Republican Party candidate, just as Heinrich summarized. Biden said world leaders fear a second term for Trump, sharply criticized his close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin and joked that his predecessor (and now successor) “believes in a free press like I consider I can climb Mt. Everest.”
Jean-Pierre said the comments were made before the election. This is a different reality.
“The American people have made their decision,” the press secretary continued. “The elections were held two days ago. Was! This was a free and fair election and we respect the electoral process. We do. And the Americans have spoken.”
“So the president’s job is to make sure that we respect that,” she concluded. “The president’s job is to ensure the peaceful transfer of power. This is what Americans deserve. …It’s not complicated. It’s really, really that simple.”
Heinrich’s further actions irritated the press secretary.
“What is the message to people who are afraid, given the content of (Trump’s) message?” – Heinrich asked before being interrupted by Jean-Pierre.
“Well, now you’re just twisting everything, and it’s really unfair,” she said, clearly upset. “Jackie, it is not fair because I’m standing here attempting to be respectful of what happened the last two nights, two nights ago. Showing respect. “I stand here and say we respect the decision made by the American people.”
“I stand here and say the president will put the American people first,” she continued. “I’m standing here talking about how the president will be sure they get what they deserve, which is a peaceful transition of power. I don’t love my words being twisted. I mean, I’m being very clear, very, very clear about what the president and the vp need to do. We need to be sure we deliver products for Americans. They deserve, they deserve, a peaceful transfer of power. And that is what you will see.”
And that is it for Thursday’s White House press release.
Politics and Current
8 voter suppression tactics to watch out for on Election Day [site:name]
Mario Tama/Getty Images
Today is Election Day 2024, and candidates all over the place – from president to congress, and on the state and native levels – are making their final push to get your vote.
Unfortunately, voter suppression tactics could also be among the many strategies used to influence the end result. As a reminder, voter suppression includes any motion that makes it difficult or discourages people from voting.
As you head to the polls today, check out these 8 common voter suppression tactics that can help make sure you and others in your community can exercise their right to vote freely and fairly.
1. Discouragement within the face of long lines
No matter when or where you vote, there’s all the time a risk of encountering a line that is simply too long. Pay special attention to individuals who suggest you “leave and come back later” when lines are shorter, and even try to discourage you from voting altogether. Be sure to plan your visit to the polling place when you’ve some free time in order not to be distracted by potentially long lines.
2. Strict identification requirements
If you might be a registered voter, generally a government-issued ID card might be enough to vote. In some cases, chances are you’ll be required to show your voter registration card, but should you notice that other voters are receiving different instructions than you or anyone in your group, don’t hesitate to ask questions for clarification.
3. Unofficial “Observers” survey
While polling places in lots of states have been a comparatively hassle-free environment previously, the changing nature of this election 12 months may lead to people trying to query you or do other things to deliberately annoy you until you allow or are asked to leave. Remember to remain consistent and never give in to anyone who tries to stop you from doing what you got here to do, which is vote.
4. Last minute changes to the voting site
Try to check where your polling station is often. In some states, there’s a high likelihood that there might be changes to your voting location, and if this happens, chances are you’ll not be notified upfront.
5. Inconsistent information in regards to the opening hours of the polling station
Polling stations will open at 6:00 a.m. and shut at 9:00 p.m. on election day. Hours of operation vary by state, so make sure to check ahead of time what the hours are in your state. On the day you intend to vote, check again before you go to be sure there have been no changes that can cause you to lose your ability to vote.
6. Review of defamatory campaign ads
Read up on the candidates and where they stand on the problems that matter most to you, so you do not get easily swayed by an influx of negative campaign ads that can undoubtedly come across as a last-ditch effort to get your vote by painting the opposite candidate in a foul light. Know your candidate’s history, but additionally keep in mind that the motion plans he has outlined for the current and future will prove most vital if he’s elected president.
7. Random voter purges
If you might be faraway from the ballot for questioning, reassignment, and even being prevented from voting by an election official, stay calm and ask questions to find out what is going on fairly than leaving without voting. It’s also helpful to familiarize yourself together with your voting rights upfront, or to bring someone with you who’s at the very least minimally informed in regards to the basics.
8. Blatant bullying
Whether it’s subtle comments from other voters, offended words from protesters, or an irate election official having a foul day, don’t let anyone intimidate you to the purpose of abstaining from voting by not doing all the things you’ll be able to all the things possible to be sure your vote is counted.
The undeniable fact that these tactics are used on their very own should let you know how beneficial and powerful your voice is. Otherwise why would they struggle to suppress it, right?
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