After reflecting on the “soul searching” she’s completed in recent months, Hillary Clinton told a room full of women gathered to watch her receive the “Champion for Girls” award from Girls, Inc. Tuesday afternoon that “the unfinished business of the 20th century is the full equality of women.”
Addressing women’s rights, Clinton declared, “Our work is far from over.”
The former presidential candidate depicted contemporary America as a dark world for young women, saying, “too often starting at such a young age they hear messages they aren’t good enough, deserving enough, smart enough.”
For young girls, “the chorus of naysayers starts early,” Clinton argued.
Without elaboration, Clinton used her platform to broadly assert that “too many girls are afraid of someone or something.”
The somber undertone of Clinton’s remarks echo the message she sent in her first public appearance post-election, asking people to address the women around the country left wondering “whether [their] rights, opportunities and values will endure.”
This feminist fear mongering does not resonate with the vast majority of American females who live in the freest and fairest society for women ever to exist. A recent Washington Post/Kaiser Family Foundation poll found only 32 percent of females believe American women face “a lot” of discrimination in society.
They are not living in the America of Clinton’s rendering.
Similarly, President Trump’s memorable reference to “American carnage” in his inaugural address landed in many headlines. Trump drew criticism from commentators who argued its apocalyptic implications are not resonant with average citizens who generally enjoy happy lives.
This, too, is true of Clinton’s world where the alleged “chorus of naysayers” targets young women in their formative years, sapping them of the drive to succeed.
If so, Clinton is the chorus director, priming girls to believe the cards are stacked against them despite the world of opportunities she herself helped create.
Emily Jashinsky is a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner.
