Hockey moms and Pit Bulls
By
Kayode Makinde.
I saw Sarah Palin’s acceptance speech as the vice-presidential candidate of the GOP on Thursday. She struck a chord with me, as she was forthright, down-to-earth, and unabashedly feminine without a streak of weakness. Her entire story epitomises the much touted American dream. She is woman who is about to smash the glass ceiling in which Hilary Clinton made 18 million cracks.
Here is a woman who barely two weeks ago was the relatively unknown governor of the 49th state of the United States-Alaska. She reportedly resumed work three days after the delivery of her last child that is just 5 months old. Her nomination to be the vice-presidential candidate of John McCain might just be the tonic the Republican Party needs to get up and running in this season of political jousting. This piece is not to examine the political undertones and possible consequences of her nomination; rather I want to draw out a thing or two from her well crafted and powerfully delivered acceptance speech.
In her speech, the mother of five made mention that “the difference between a hockey mom and pit bull is lipstick”. Meaning that nursing are fiercely protective of their wards just like a pit bull. Her identification with this unique group of women might prove instrumental later on. She spoke about her love for her family, family values and her family struggles viz-a-viz teenage pregnancy and downs syndrome. She sounded like a typical everyday American mom, and I am sure the women love that!
Mrs Palin was so proud of her ancestry as she spoke glowingly about her parents and upbringing which laid the foundation for her meaningful life. In responding to critics, she mentioned that though she is not a Washington insider, her role as mayor of her hometown and governor of Alaska has endowed her with leadership qualities and experience which will serve her well at the national level…………..to be continued
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