Hillary Blames Sexism for 2016: ‘The More Successful a Man Becomes the More People Like Him’
EXCERPT:
CLINTON: "You know in the past I felt like I had to be you know kind of careful in public, sort of keep my guard up, well those days are over and I am so pleased -- (Applause) -- that I could pull the curtain back in the book on the unprecedented election, the first reality TV election in American history. And I talk about some of the moments that still frustrate me, but also those times I want to remember forever. The way it felt as you could see from the video to become the first woman to accept a major parties nomination to be president. And I'm still proud of the campaign but ultimately reinvigorating, because it was important to try to sort out what did happen, because some of what happened was not a one off, it is still happening and it can happen not just in one election to one candidate in one country. So when people ask me, how are you doing? I say, well as a person I'm OK but as an American I'm concerned. Because what happened is as much about the future as the past. And there are lessons I believe in this book that applied to everyone. And I just want to touch briefly on four. First, everyone in life gets knocked down; what matters is whether you get back up and keep going. And after Election Day One of the most common questions I heard was how do you even get out of bed? And I will admit there were times when all I wanted to do was pull the covers over my head, but I instead spent time -- I spent time with my family and my friends, a lot of time with my grandchildren. I read a lot especially mystery novels. I like those because the bad guy usually gets it in the end. (Laughter) Now the second lesson is the only way we will get sexism out of politics is to get more women into politics. And that [indecipherable] but it's also true around the world. The research is pretty clear, for men likability and professional success go hand-in-hand. In other words, the more successful a man becomes the more people like him. But with women it's the exact opposite; the more professionally successful we are the less people like us. And maybe some of you in this room have an inkling of what I'm talking about. And not only that women are seen favorably when we advocate for others but unfavorably when we advocate for ourselves. Now that struck a chord with me. Because historically people like me when I'm serving in a supporting role. When I'm first lady in the White House or a senator from New York or a member of President Obama's cabinet. But the minute a woman at least in our country stands up and says, 'Now I'd like a chance to lead', everything changes. And I can't think of a single woman in any walk of life, from business, to the media, to academics, to the professions, and certainly politics and government who doesn't have stories to tell. So yes, there are plenty of reasons why being a woman in politics can be frustrating."
