Sunday Musings

It's About Time

 I love that Kamala Harris is running as her whole self.

Apologizing for none of it; not the laugh, not the joy, not the fun-loving person who can break into dance, teach you how to cook, and charm teenagers with her cool. 

Justifying none of it; not the childlessness, not the career path, not the racial complexity that makes her Black and Indian and uniquely American.

Softening none of it to make you comfortable.  Because she already is… comfortable in her own skin, in all its manifestations.

I especially love that she is a prosecutor who is proud to call herself a lawyer. She steps toward her power, not away from it; proud of her career choice and her success in it; respecting herself and the profession at the highest level. The ability to prosecute, and cross examine, and defend the people’s rights do not conflict with her femininity. They are part of it, and she wears them confidently, sometimes with stilettos, sometimes with Chucks.   

Empathy and strength are not opposites. Kindness does not equal weakness. Toughness and tenderness can co-exist. We know this, but in America we handicap both genders by deciding which qualities, in what combinations, make a “good-enough recipe” in males and females. A recipe our unconscious definitions don’t need to stretch to accommodate.

 The truth is this. Despite our gender, we are all capable of owning and expressing the full range of human strengths and skills, intellectual and emotional gifts. Our gender lens adds perspective, but it does not limit possibility.  And when we apply for leadership, we shouldn’t have to soften ourselves or toughen our image to fit outdated beliefs about what is uniquely male or acceptably female.

 My ingredient list, and yours will be different. But because Kamala Harris wears hers so confidently, so comfortably, it gives me hope. Hope that we can stop genderizing emotions and talents, leadership and power. If we can do that, we can elect the best people for the job.  

It is long past time.