The Hillary Privacy Issue

Why are we so perplexed by Hillary Clinton’s desire for privacy? In yet another conversation about Hillary and privacy, David Axelrod took to the airwaves this morning stating, “Obviously her penchant for privacy is what led her to have a separate email system, and there have been other occasions in her public career in which she’s tried to create a zone of privacy.”

I flinch at this each and everytime I hear some argument about Hillary’s need for privacy. Why? Because I’m a professional woman who lives in the world. From the moment we enter the “professional” working world, we are inundated with covert and not-so-covert messages and micro aggressions as to our behavior. For instance,

• Never discuss anything private unless it has to do with your children. Heaven forbid we recognize woman as fully formed humans and allow them to talk about their wants, desires and yea, their periods.
• Do not show vulnerability. If you do, they will use it against you to tear you down.
• DO NOT SHOW EMOTION! Dear Lord, if you should let one tear make its way down your cheek, you might as well pack up and go home!
• Don’t get sick. You have already taken time off to be home with a sick child — you better not catch that virus.
• Do not speak with authority or confidence. If you do, you are a bitch. Also, please plaster a smile on your face when a man takes your idea in a meeting and is instantly praised for his brilliance.
• Is the skirt you’re wearing today above the knee line? Get ready to have your ass and legs checked out. But don’t worry, you can’t win in this situation: you are either a slut and unprofessional or a hot piece of ass. Hmmmmm, which one to be?

There’s a reason why a woman as accomplished as Hillary needs privacy. She’s f%$#ing exhausted from navigating a world that has margalized her intelligence and abilities — time after time. Since the 90’s I have heard the arguement that Hillary “acted like a man to get what she wants.” She’s trying to survive in a world where economics are decided by men; where our salaries are decided by men; where our periods/birth control/sex life/abortion rights are decided by men. Women find themselves in survival mode often, and yes, we will act like a man, in an effort to even the playing field.

The barrage of criticism thrown at Hillary yet again proves that women are consistently held to a different standard. A harsher one. After all, Bill Clinton, was sick while campaigning a lot. Remember how he kept losing his voice? Remember when George Bush puked? Or Obama admitted to struggling with cigarettes? We felt some sympathy and compassion for them. But Hillary having pneumonia and not stating it within 24 hours is seen as another reason to not trust her.

Of course, she wants some level of privacy. All of us women do. If we truly opened ourselves up, we would be reminded to bottle it back up again. If we truly made ourselves vulnerable, we may crumble under a system that does not support or honor us.

I can’t blame Hillary, I’m f$%#ing exhausted too.