The Burden on Female Leaders to Be Soft on Violent Crime

One note about female leadership in politics in the United States. I remember when George Bush was in office. Now there were plenty of great...

One note about female leadership in politics in the United States.

I remember when George Bush was in office. Now there were plenty of great reasons to be disenchanted with the second President Bush.  They were right there.

 But it was common in minority areas and on minority radio stations for people to openly express most of their heartfelt and stored-up disdain for Condoleeza Rice.  I did not support a lot of political decisions from that era but there was plenty of blame to go around. To only know Condoleeza Rice was ...uninformed at best, and misogynist at worst. 

Tough on Crime

Because several female leaders have been tough on crime, there is an insinuation that female leadership across the country has disappointed "us." 

One thing you notice about our society is this silent but stubborn notion that women are not supposed to be intolerant of crime.

We are not supposed to complain about it. Protest it.  Get infuriated or impatient about it. 

We are not supposed to use our energy to educate and bring awareness to prevent future violence.

...Not the crimes in our neighborhoods. 

...Not the crimes online. 

...Not the crimes in our homes.

So, a female leader who supports and enforces legislation against crime is most certainly viewed as anti-male and anti-community....whatever the community.  The "community" can be 

a wealthy community

a religious community

a teaching community

an art community

an entire country

a family

It does not matter.

It has long been observed that a woman being tough on crime is very challenging for people, male or female, young or old, to digest.  Therefore, I'm always encouraging each of us to keep asking, "What did you expect these women to do about unrelenting violence?" This type of misogyny will not go down without a fight.

Women Speak Up All the Time

Even still, we must keep in mind that women do speak up.

It is simply disregarded as that or those crazy women being hateful again. 

Women speak in our families, our schools, our neighborhoods, and online. Women spoke up about R. Kelly for 20 years. Among those of us who kept speaking, even our families questioned, "why"? Our families. 

We were expected to let it go and stay silent. Go along to get along with "the community". 

Women's Silence is Expected and Reinforced

When it comes to crime and violence, women are expected to remain silent and compliant.

Online.

In our neighborhoods.

In houses of worship.

In our schools.

In our homes.

This way, people can describe us as "sweet", "easy-going" and "easy to get along with".

Damaging Messages Women are Receiving Very Clearly

Women are not supposed to prioritize our safety.  "Who do we think we are? Real people or something?'

Female leaders are not supposed to use their power in a way that intimidates males.

Female leaders are expected to champion more "nurturing" ways to deal with violent criminals. Even if they have to do it without support.  We still expect our female leaders to pull violent criminals to their bosoms and coddle the violence away. 

This, even as we don't say one word to the criminals, nor have any expectation of harm doers to stop harming other people. 

Whatever civilization practiced this "wisdom", I'm sure that they are extinct. 

Women must look to the courageous and power-filled women who came before us. 

We must speak. We must speak up. Our very survival depends on it. 

The Numbers Do Not Lie, So Stop Asking Women to Accept Less Safety (UPDATE)

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