THE WOMAN CARD

Oh it's not just a card

Throughout my career as an author and lecturer, I have never felt in any way limited by my gender. I never felt opportunities were denied to me because I am a woman.

Let me tell you, that changes when you run for President.

I had never taken the notion of “Bro Culture” very seriously before, either.

That one changes when you run for President, too.

I realize now that I had never fully understood the word misogyny or how much it drains all of us of life force. It’s different than racism or anti-Semitism or homophobia, because those are acknowledged character defects. Misogyny so permeates our cultural attitudes that most people don’t even know when their attitudes are misogynistic - and I’m sorry to say that applies to women as well as men.

From the beginning of my Presidential campaign, I’ve found myself at the effect of things I’d never experienced before. If something happened in my campaign, it was described one way; if it happened in the campaign of one of my male opponents, the narrative was distinctly different. I’m kooky; they’re profound. I was crazy; they were take-charge.

But the latest one really takes the cake. In every national poll I’m ahead of my opponent Dean Phillips, but according to Andrew Yang I’ve run a “noble and courageous campaign” but I should just let Dean take it from here!

As Yang put it in his endorsement speech for Phillips:

“To my friend Marianne Williamson, you have run a noble, courageous campaign and have articulated many of the things that Americans should expect and deserve. I ask you to join us in challenging the true enemy. The true enemy is the political establishment that does not care about our families and communities and a media cabal that will suppress or demonize those who want change on behalf of the people of this country. Marianne, Dean is our best chance to change things. I am looking forward to serving in his administration and I would love for you to join us.”

Besides being flabbergasted, I couldn’t help wondering if Andrew would have dared do that were I a man. And I’m not even sure if Andrew knows. But as I tweeted when I saw the video of his speech, the days of a woman standing aside on the assumption that a man can do a better job are over.

I’ve learned from this experience what money and power can do. I mean I knew it, but not like now. I’ve learned what prejudice and judgement can do. I mean I knew it, but not like now. I’ve learned from this experience what misogyny can do. I mean I knew it, but not like now. I’m even more grateful than ever before, to those who have gone before me and stood tall for what they believed in in spite of belittling by others. I have learned from this experience what politics can do, but I have faith in my heart in what love can do.