People Post is a space for opinion pieces, letters to the editor and guest submissions from members of the Long Beach community. The following is an op-ed submitted by Second District resident Zoe Nicholson, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Long Beach Post.
If you are an advocate for women in the U.S., you know that the only way women will have equality, equity, constitutional rights and cultural parity is for women to be in leadership. This has been my focus for over 50 years.
Nicholas Kristof tells us that to educate a girl, changes the world. New York Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, in her book, Rumors of Our Progress Have Been Greatly Exaggerated, explains that everything changes when one-third of those in leadership are women. When that occurs, the entire agenda moves from militarization and consumerism to health, education and wellbeing. Astoundingly, the fact remains that women have never broken the barrier of 20 percent leadership in Congress and the United States continues to rank in the lower half of countries worldwide in women in leadership, (UN currently ranks the US at #99/195).
As a feminist, a social justice advocate and a dedicated activist, I know the importance of electing women. However, the number one reason women do not run for office is not lack of funds or family concerns, it is surviving the scrutiny of a sexist society. The obvious example is the article in last week’s Guardian, “America’s vitriol towards Clinton reveals a nation mired in misogyny.” Every woman who has mustered the courage to run knows that her gender will be targeted in the campaign, in the election and while in office. Sexism is “baked in the cake.” It successfully discourages most women from entering elected service.
There is no mistaking that Long Beach is witnessing this very discrimination in the relentless and unwarranted demand of a few to mount a recall campaign against Councilmember Jeannine Pearce. A handful of people with deep pockets are unhappy with the democratic system of the vote. They want to replace a progressive, successful, productive woman so they can install someone else.
What are they using to achieve this? They are pointing to a resolved issue, accusing Pearce of unethical behavior. Jeannine Pearce has been forthcoming; she was not issued a DUI, she called the Long Beach PD herself, and she has taken responsibility publicly for the event her opponents continue to rant about. Reality is that this event has nothing to do with their true agenda. This is not about ethics, behavior or values. It is about wanting a person removed from office and installing one who is going to serve their political agenda.
Enough already. Jeannine Pearce was democratically elected. She has pushed through 29 agenda items, more than anyone else has in their first year. From potholes to graffiti, parks and human rights, she has been precisely the council member the Second District elected. We are so proud of her.
It is time for this small handful of people, who want their politics seated at the table to respect the democratic process, stop paying expensive consultants to write their editorials, and get to work making Long Beach an equitable community.
Zoe Nicholson is a resident of the Second District and author of The Hungry Heart, A Women’s Fast for Justice.