Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts), left, on the campaign trail with Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. Photo from Hillary for America
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump famously called his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton a "nasty woman" at their last debate and the phrase has become a rallying cry as the campaign enters its final stretch. But writer Terese Marie Mailhot (Seabird Island Band) isn't sure the term is helpful to Native women:
In New Hampshire Elizabeth Warren recently rallied support for Hillary Clinton. Her speech was empowering, delivering the no nonsense, truth-telling she’s known for. “Nasty women have really had it with guys like you,” Warren said. “Get this Donald, nasty women are smart, nasty women are tough, and nasty women vote.” She gave me pause. No, the whole event gave me pause. Why is it that it’s mostly white women taking on the word ‘nasty,’ as an act of subversion against the patriarchy? Also, Hillary is so calculated concerning who she’s seen with, so her appearance with Warren felt like a slight jab against Native women, who can’t get on board with Warren’s claim to Native heritage. I mean, Warren explicitly stated that high cheekbones were evidence of Native roots, and that family lore was enough to entitle her to a whole identity she uses and ignores at her convenience. It’s interesting how most of the white women on my Facebook feed had no qualms in taking up the term ‘nasty’ with pride and defiance. For me, as a Native woman, I have to be cautious of taking up a term that makes it easier for men to justify their exploitation, violence, and ignorance.Read More:
Terese Marie Mailhot: Hillary & Warren Can Be Nasty; Native Women Can Stay Powerful & Human (Indian Country Today 10/28)
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