Today's Special: Double Standards in Local Democratic Politics
By Diego Garcia III | Editor of The Brownsville Beacon
Recently, Jim Barton, Editor of The Brownsville Observer, one of Brownsville's more established blogs, accompanied his wife and a friend to a meeting of the Cameron County Democratic Women. The meeting was held at Rudy's BBQ. When Barton and company arrived at the meeting, and Barton introduced himself as the editor of the Observer, the person leading the meeting informed Barton men weren't usually allowed, or welcome, at their meetings. The group further explained they only throw their support behind female candidates.
Since publishing his original article, the Cameron County Democratic Women have said what Barton printed was "a lie." In a follow-up article, Jared Hockema, the Cameron County Democratic Chair sent a message to Barton. The message said the Cameron County Democratic Women was not an official group attached to the Cameron County Democratic Party, nor were they affiliated with the Texas Democratic Party. Hockema went on to say all official meetings of the Cameron County Democratic Party are open to the public.
I'm fairly certain any splinter group can call itself whatever it wants. The problems begin when people start thinking the splinter group is affiliated with a larger group with a similar name.
For the record, I am not affiliated with either major political party. I am not a Democrat, and I am not a Republican. Especially with the current political climate and how polarizing being affiliated with a political party has become, I don't think someone should be defined and shaped by party politics. I take a little from Column "A," and I take a little from Column "B."
I find it ironic that a women's organization would be unwilling to accept men who are willing to help with their cause. I also find it sad that they would only choose to support female candidates. I think women would have had enough with gender bias and discrimination. I would think any group, regardless of what that group represents, would be willing to accept members as long as those members were committed to advancing and advocating their beliefs and accomplishing the goals of the group.
It is a pity any group would be so myopic as to shut out an entire gender just because the organization identifies itself as a "women's organization." Double standards have always bothered me. Just for a minute imagine if there was a Cameron County Democratic Men's organization where women weren't allowed. Imagine if there was an organization that openly said they would only support male candidates that supported a pro-male agenda and would never consider supporting a female candidate.
I understand women were excluded from the political process for many years. I understand women were not allowed to vote until the passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution in 1920, and I understand women were not allowed to run for office, or discouraged from seeking elected office, for a long time. However, keeping men from attending their meetings or only supporting female candidates is hardly a winning strategy.
You don't have to be a woman to believe in women's rights. You don't have to be a female politician to move the women's movement's agenda forward. Choosing not to endorse a candidate who is a strong advocate for women's rights simply because he isn't a woman is a poor choice.
I hope the Cameron County Democratic Women will rethink their strategy and policy of only accepting women and only endorsing female candidates. I fear their political endorsement won't carry a whole lot of weight if they keep their circle as closed as it is.
Recently, Jim Barton, Editor of The Brownsville Observer, one of Brownsville's more established blogs, accompanied his wife and a friend to a meeting of the Cameron County Democratic Women. The meeting was held at Rudy's BBQ. When Barton and company arrived at the meeting, and Barton introduced himself as the editor of the Observer, the person leading the meeting informed Barton men weren't usually allowed, or welcome, at their meetings. The group further explained they only throw their support behind female candidates.
Since publishing his original article, the Cameron County Democratic Women have said what Barton printed was "a lie." In a follow-up article, Jared Hockema, the Cameron County Democratic Chair sent a message to Barton. The message said the Cameron County Democratic Women was not an official group attached to the Cameron County Democratic Party, nor were they affiliated with the Texas Democratic Party. Hockema went on to say all official meetings of the Cameron County Democratic Party are open to the public.
I'm fairly certain any splinter group can call itself whatever it wants. The problems begin when people start thinking the splinter group is affiliated with a larger group with a similar name.
For the record, I am not affiliated with either major political party. I am not a Democrat, and I am not a Republican. Especially with the current political climate and how polarizing being affiliated with a political party has become, I don't think someone should be defined and shaped by party politics. I take a little from Column "A," and I take a little from Column "B."
I find it ironic that a women's organization would be unwilling to accept men who are willing to help with their cause. I also find it sad that they would only choose to support female candidates. I think women would have had enough with gender bias and discrimination. I would think any group, regardless of what that group represents, would be willing to accept members as long as those members were committed to advancing and advocating their beliefs and accomplishing the goals of the group.
It is a pity any group would be so myopic as to shut out an entire gender just because the organization identifies itself as a "women's organization." Double standards have always bothered me. Just for a minute imagine if there was a Cameron County Democratic Men's organization where women weren't allowed. Imagine if there was an organization that openly said they would only support male candidates that supported a pro-male agenda and would never consider supporting a female candidate.
I understand women were excluded from the political process for many years. I understand women were not allowed to vote until the passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution in 1920, and I understand women were not allowed to run for office, or discouraged from seeking elected office, for a long time. However, keeping men from attending their meetings or only supporting female candidates is hardly a winning strategy.
You don't have to be a woman to believe in women's rights. You don't have to be a female politician to move the women's movement's agenda forward. Choosing not to endorse a candidate who is a strong advocate for women's rights simply because he isn't a woman is a poor choice.
I hope the Cameron County Democratic Women will rethink their strategy and policy of only accepting women and only endorsing female candidates. I fear their political endorsement won't carry a whole lot of weight if they keep their circle as closed as it is.
South Texas Democrats couldnt have asked for any worse representation than what Ms Saldivar has to offer. She is loud-mouthed and confrontational. No one knows her but shes been out there making more noise than waves that can be felt by anyone. She has no support base so anyone running for office who thinks she can help get them elected is stupid. Same thing for Barton -- he always backs losers.
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