Feminism Hell And Hillary Clinton By Frank Bruni Summary

In the article “Feminism, Hell and Hillary Clinton”, the author Frank Bruni, argues about gender inequality within the presidential campaign. Although Bruni disapproves of gender inequality, he argues that it shouldn’t be the only reason when voting for a candidate. According to Bruni, Madeleine Albright’s statement that conveyed a message to women that “there’s a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women,” is an example of such one-sided argument(www.Time.com,2016). Being a woman, I think feminism is important and should be recognized, but I wouldn’t vote solely for a candidate just because they are the same gender as I am. I agree with Bruni, and argue that voting shouldn’t be based on gender, but rather on the candidates’
He states, “I could live to see an openly gay presidential candidate with a real chance of a victory” (Bruni,2016). Drawing a comparison to Madeleine Albright and her statement about feminism he asks himself, “will there be a special place in hell for me if I, as a gay man, don’t support him or her?” (Bruni,2016). Bruni stresses that just because he’s gay, it does not mean that he automatically should vote for or support a gay candidate. Which brings up the question of why should women do the same? While Bruni clearly disapproves of gender inequality, he maintains his view that Clinton should not use “gender” as her sole argument and justification to vote for her. Bruni points out that, “People don’t vote out of shame. They vote out of hope” (Bruni,2016). This statement supports the idea that people aren’t going to vote for Clinton just based on the fact that she is a woman. Voters will be drawn to her and vote for her, if her values align with theirs and her ideas and proposals evoke hope for
The result from the New Hampshire polls is evidence that these women aren’t voting for Clinton because she’s a woman, but that they rather vote for Sander because his plans and strategies are more relevant to their current needs and values.
I’m not anti-feminism. Being female, I believe that women and men should be treated equally in society. However, I also believe that women shouldn’t use their gender to their advantage. If they do, they are contradicting themselves, stating that they want to be equal with men, but use their gender when it serves them. The author concludes that a candidate’s capabilities, morals and values, and fortitude are reasonable grounds for him to vote for that person. Bruni ends the article by expressing again that “Because being gay won’t be the sum of that person, just as womanhood isn’t where Clinton begins and ends” (Bruni,2016). He emphasizes that being gay, being female or being of a different race does not determine whom he chooses to vote for, nor should it for everyone else