Dissection of a line…

HRC tells a Democratic crowd that a Democratic president would be good, to which they applaud. Then she hops on the applause, pretending that it’s for her and declares herself a winner. Using the words “right wing machine” she does a slight reference to the “vast right wing conspiracy” a contrived bogeyman she made up to trick the world, and or pretend that her husband was an innocent with tangible virtues. Also this provides the illusion that she’s in a defensive position. While using the word “machine” she dilutes the expression “Clinton machine” and throws it to the other side. The word girl is interesting for a number of reasons. First her audience is a bunch of blue collar men, many of whom have seen brighter horizons. Most men view woman to be pretty much an equal, not that we’d carry the heaviest items, but certainly manage our own weight. It’s cool to have a beer together, but there isn’t much else for them to do for us. A lady however is regarded as a bit higher maintaince, they’d have to put on a clean shirt, maybe even a tie, and some days, they’re just too tired to bother. A girl however, doesn’t really care much about a dress code, and they certainly could take care of her, making them feel manly.

Accomplished females under the age of 40 will be offended by the flirtation. But where else will they go? Middle aged females, who may feel that their most appreciated days are behind them, might feel tickled, but the educated and accomplished aren’t going to vote for her anyway. Older women will dismiss it as pandering.

But let’s talk specifically about black women for a moment. Most of us tend not to realize that within the black community that there’s a hierarchy beyond Al Sharpton. There has long been a lower, middle and upper class. Upper class had country clubs, nice homes with well kempt yards, coming out parties, and the expectation of success. Most have jobs, or trades or careers, and that’s been going on for generations. How a black woman will feel about the word girl, will have a lot to do with how she makes her living and how her parents made their living, and their parents made theirs. If she hails from a nuclear family, where higher education was the norm, and her father wore a jacket to work, while the mother stayed home, or had an interesting job, it’s likely she’d be less offended of the way that word has been used for a long, long time.

If however her life was harder, education not a consideration, or even an option, if they had to really struggle, there’s likely to be some resentment about the term. I’m sure the Clinton camp thought about that, but figured, as these are “women with needs” where else are they going to go? Surely they won’t “give a brother a break” or will they? I think it’s a bigger quandary than the campaign has so far assessed.

There’s nothing wrong with the word. People do speak more intimately with intimates than is appropriate with the masses. I just don’t think trying to be a coquette is a smart tact for a cuckold to take.