Women in Politics: Tulsi Gabbard

        Within the last century the most notable change in the workings of United States politics is the inclusion of women. Even though the government is composed of primarily men, every year more and more women are entering and aspiring to reach high ranking governmental positions. Each with the mutual goal to be the voice of the people and to bring about changes in the communities they represent, along with the country as a whole. However, these women politicians face one big mutual hurdle in doing their job− being a woman. Be that as it may, when taking into consideration reality and the fictional women of politics intersectionality, oppression, and privilege certainly differ. But I’ve found that despite this obstacle amongst her gender, one woman in particular, Tulsi Gabbard, embraces the baggage of being a woman in politics in order to focus on the bigger picture.

            During her career, Gabbard has faced many issues were her intersectionality overshadows her capabilities and competency in her position. When Gabbard first began to pursue a role in government in her early 20’s, she was told she was a “nice girl” (Tulsi Gabbard) and asked, “Do you know what you’re getting into? Can you handle the heat?” (Tulsi Gabbard). These doubts in her abilities stemmed from the fact she wasn’t a white-rich-middle-aged-man. But rather a non-white-middle-class-Hindu-woman who had “no background, no training [in politics], [and was] extremely shy, a total introvert” (Huettman). These differences between the traditional government official and herself took away from news about her policies and positions. By addressing Gabbard as a “nice girl” (Tulsi Gabbard), the public along with politicians immediately held a biased towards her abilities as a potential politician in legislature because of her gender. The context of these two words alone, along with the two questions that follow make the assumption that a female can’t do the job−that they don’t have what it takes to do the job. For example, in the article Pluralism Reaches A Milestone In America, author Mihir Meghani, describes Gabbard as “the first Hindu elected to the United States Congress.” The whole premise of Megani’s article is on how Gabbard currently represents the Hindu people in government. However, the article fails to give her acclaim for holding the position as representative of Hawaii and the United States. Instead they focus on her representation as a Hindu in government. Gabbard, herself, has stated, “My responsibility is to the people of Hawaii and the American people to stand up and fight for what is right and what is in the best interest of our country” (Huettman). Due to the pieces of her intersectionality that differ from the traditional male-centered political world, people are using pieces of Gabbard’s image for categorical use. As a result, her real role as a politician can be lost. These differences take Gabbard’s high ranking positions and use it as an iconic pillar, which in essence takes away from Gabbard’s main intentions to be where she is.

            Gabbard’s circumstances greatly differ from those of the fictional characters presented in the television series Parks and Recreation, Scandal, and Veep. In Parks and Recreation, Scandal, and Veep, Leslie, Selina, and Josie all have much more privilege as women in politics than Gabbard. Leslie and Selina are both white women, who presumably practice some form of Christianity and come from a well-endowed upbringing. These differences show the privilege women hold in by being a part of the majority in politics, rather than part of a more minority oriented demographic like Gabbard. The women portrayed in the television shows further hold more privilege than Gabbard due to their age. Each of the women (Leslie, Selina, and Josie) are well over the age of 30, in comparison Gabbard is still in her 20’s, and officially entered the Hawaiian Legislature at the age of 21. While each of the fictional characters were embraced in their political worlds, Gabbard was told she was too young and inexperienced to be in politics. Instead, she should sit back and wait awhile (Tulsi Gabbard). In reality, Gabbard’s situation represents oppression. Those among the political world and outside it didn’t believe she was capable of effectively doing her job at such a young age. The fictional women politicians are given all of the power, while women in real life struggle to keep a grasp on it. Television portrays the female politicians as individuals who are always heard, and rarely are they ever not heard. However, the real truth is women like Gabbard face issues with oppression and privilege more much often than her fictional counterparts let on.

            Today, women, while relatively small in size, have a voice in the American government and political systems. Since day one, all women who have held government positions haven’t had it easy. Be that as it may, many fictional representation of women in politics do not reveal the true ordeals real women in politics face. In reality time and time again they are judged based on their intersectionality and face drastic differences between their oppression and their privilege. When taking into consideration Tulsi Gabbard, an American politician, gaining a truly heard voice can be hard due to the acclaim women politicians are receiving for being women in politics−they are always politicians identified by their gender.

Works Cited

"Daily Hurdles." Makers, www.makers.com/moments/daily-hurdles. Accessed 17 Nov. 2016. 

"Clarity after the Military." Makers, www.makers.com/moments/clarity-after-military. Accessed 17 Nov. 2016. 

"Frustrations of Congress." Makers, www.makers.com/moments/frustrations-congress. Accessed 17 Nov. 2016. 

Huettman, Emmarie. "Tulsi Gabbard, Rising Democratic Star from Hawaii, Makes
     Mark on Party by Defying It." New York Times [New York], 28 Nov. 2015. 
          New York Times, www.nytimes.com/2015/11/29/us/politics/tulsi-gabbard-rising-democratic- star-from-hawaii-makes-mark-on-party-by-defying-it.html. Accessed 17 Nov. 2016.
Meghani, Mihir. "Pluralism Reaches A Milestone In America." Hinduism Today 35.2 (2013):    56-57. Academic Search Complete. Web. 17 Nov. 2016.

"Patsy Mink: A Woman Unafraid." Makers, www.makers.com/moments/patsy-mink-woman-unafraid. Accessed 17 Nov. 2016. 

"Tulsi Gabbard." Makers, www.makers.com/tulsi-gabbard. Accessed 17 Nov. 2016.