counterpunch | I immediately reacted to Anthony’s ingenuity in recognizing Ms.
Clinton’s embodiment of the power and authority of a patriarchal empire.
I responded to his stark criticism of Ms. Clinton’s self proclamation
as a “feminist,” a claim she makes while subjecting countless people,
including women, across the globe to her violent foreign policy as a
Secretary of State. Her actions have cost millions of deaths, many more
injuries, far more people being dislocated and yet more of them
experiencing broken up families, communities and countries.
If you are not familiar with Ms. Clinton’s record on corporatism, colonialism and militarism, this is a good place to start.
I saw the image as a clear statement of protest against patriarchy
and Ms. Clinton’s disingenuous position as a feminist. However, I had
quite a few people complaining that the image is misogynistic, basically
saying that it degrades women seeking power and implies hatred against
them by depicting her as a man, a fat ugly man.
This view of the image is a stark reminder that Ms. Clinton has
successfully presented herself as a successful female in a world
dominated by men. To her supporters, she symbolizes the power of women
just as President Obama has represented the power of Black people to
his.
But what did president Obama do with his power? The power he held as
he was sworn in to the presidency with his hand on Martin Luther King
Jr.’s bible? Dr. King called the US government “the greatest purveyor
of violence.” He fought against it and he died for his cause.
Conversely, President Obama started seven new wars and greatly expanded
the drone war, personally overseeing what has become the killing of
thousands. President Obama did not expand MLK’s dream for humanity. He
has deceptively herded people into imperial agendas serving the white
patriarchy.
