I am a Tiger-Mom, Mama Grizzly Feminist residing in the Battleground state of Ohio. I am the coveted “woman” vote that both President Obama and Governor Romney, along with the political pundits, say is the voting bloc that will determine this election. Yet, as both candidates work diligently to obtain my vote and those of other women like me, I believe the reason why we stump them is because we are so heterogeneous and many of us do not fit in to any neat package that can be addressed in a 60-second campaign ad. For example, this is who I am:
1. I am woman---and I believe that I am highly-qualified in my chosen profession and would likely have been one of the ones in Governor Romney’s now infamous binder (of resumes) if I happened to live in Massachusetts at that time. Yet, my field is social services, and I focus on under-served populations in the area of mental health. Although I believe faith-based communities do great work in helping the under-served, my experience has shown that the area of mental health is often one neglected by such a community---so I worry what would happen to my clients if their mental health services were not subsidized or even, depending upon the current governor of my state, was not valued and the push became faith-based provision of social services
2. I am the sister of three Baptist Ministers, the daughter of a member of the Mothers’ Board, and the granddaughter of a deacon. However, I define myself as more spiritual. The political leanings of a politician do not matter to me as I do not expect his or her faith to determine public policy
3. I am a Black American woman, note that “Black” still shows up first for me. I am proud of my racial heritage and do believe that racism still exists. However, I do not believe that every problem within my community can be blamed on race and shudder when the “race card” is thrown around so freely as an explanation every situation
4. I am educated. I hold a doctorate degree in my profession and my husband is college-educated as well. Many would consider us elite and even if not, no one would consider us Blue Collar.
5. Again, I am married and value my marriage, which is why I also support the rights of same-sex consenting adults to hold the privileges that my husband and I automatically received on the day we said “I do” (health coverage under my husband’s plan, survivor benefits, social security, final say if anything happens, marriage tax rate, etc)
6. I am a mother. In that, I want a world that will be there for my daughters that will not saddle them with the debt that they did not cause. I want them to be able to afford college but also have jobs available to them when they finish. If they pay in to a retirement system, I want them to reap the benefits of doing so when they do retire.
7. I chose to have two beautiful children with my loving husband. Yet, the key word is “chose”. I did not have an abortion, but do not think it is my decision to vote on whether or not other women should have that right. I do not plan to adopt or foster children----which means I am not “putting my neck out there” to take in the children that people argue are being aborted. My take on abortion has always been---if you do not believe in abortion, do not have one and if you do not plan to adopt any unwanted children that come from anti-abortion policies (and that includes minority babies), then be quiet
8. I work hard---often 50-60 hours per week, and strongly believe that women deserve equal pay for the same work men do
9. I own my own company---small as it is---with an employee of one----but I hope to grow and want to know that provisions will be made in my government to make that possible
10. I enjoy being able to buy things. To do that, I need to know that my husband and I will continue to have opportunities within the United States. We need a strong economy and to make it not as profitable for our American companies to ship jobs overseas. At the same time, I do not believe in “Top Down” economics. It worked in the Reagan era because the world was not competing with us with their own skilled workers. I do not blame companies for wanting profits, that is what they are in business for----at the same time, our government must address taxation and other issues that make it “better” for companies to ship their jobs overseas
11. Lastly, I vote. I vote in every election, not just presidential ones. I take my State-issued Drivers’ License and make a point to go to my polling station to vote for everything from school levies, trash collection amendments, judges, governor, and yes, presidents. One thing I want candidates to know, is that I am also raising my two daughters to become Tiger-Moms, Mama Grizzlies (if they choose to be mothers), Feminists in the state of Ohio. So, whatever you continue to promise and do not deliver, will resonant with and for them as well. See you all November 6th.
Dr. Tyffani Monford Dent is a licensed psychologist/motivational speaker/author. She lectures and trains on issues of mental health disparity in minority communities, children’s and women’s issues, and sexual abuse intervention and prevention. Dr. Dent is also the Executive Director of Monford Dent Consulting & Psychological Services, LLC and the author of the book Girls Got Issues: A Woman’s Guide to Self-discovery and Healing available on Amazon.com and her website www.MonfordDentConsulting.com. Follow her on twitter: drtyffanimdent
