Dear sisters and brothers,
There is much to say about the elections and beyond. Much to say about all of the different constituencies who compose the overall population that voted or did not vote.
There is much to say about women and girls, women's oppression and internalized oppression. There is much to say about systemic male domination. Much to say about racism, class and all the other oppressions as well.
That should happen and will. But let us also cry, shake, and laugh.
I could not cry in the beginning but this morning- we read in the paper about Democrats Crushed and a picture of our Kamala. - A brilliant Black, South Asian female - Who put herself out there, put herself first, fought the extreme misogyny aimed at her, over and over again.
She stood by herself as she gave her concession speech last night at the historically Black college Howard University. (we hope that the millions of women throughout the world who claimed her, the thousands of her Black sorority sisters who raised her early money, and all the male allies were standing tall and proud.)
The papers announced that she was the second woman in a row to lose. We put ourselves in her shoes. (she does wear great shoes)
Then we could cry.
With Appreciation, and compassion, pride globally and historically to all women who have faced many defeats (real or symbolic or both), and share a long list of victories.
Tokumbo Bodunde (ILRP for Women) and Diane Balser (past ILRP for Women)