Nandita Das: My American friends, vote for Hillary Clinton

My dear "American" friends,

Scold me, laugh at me, or chastise me for making this appeal, but I am not taking any chances. The stakes are too high, not just for the United States, but also for the world.

I know all of you will cast your precious vote this Tuesday and that most of you will do so for Hillary Clinton, because you care about your country and our world.

Like many of you, I know that it is a no-brainer to vote for Hillary and to vehemently reject the incompetent, racist and misogynistic Trump. But in case there is an iota of doubt, then please read further, or just scroll past.

This is probably the most consequential election ever in US history. And the choice could not be clearer - a demagogue, who through his words and actions, has been pandering to voters and whipping up unprecedented fear, misogyny, xenophobia and racism versus one of the most qualified candidates ever to be nominated for the role. Some of you might roll your eyes at my description of Hillary. Here is an excerpt from a recent piece I wrote:

"Being 'feminine' is a burden that most women have to carry… While much is being said about celebrating Hillary's historic candidacy, more is being said about how she is not womanly enough. She smiles too little. Her clothes are not sexy. She is too smug and pragmatic. She is just too 'manly'. For male candidates, the congruence between the demands of office and their social behaviour is much more straightforward. Had Hillary been a man facing a similarly incompetent and bigoted opponent, based on her experience alone, she would have won by a landslide. The media has categorically brought out the double standard in politics, or rather society, which subjects women to greater scrutiny. If Hillary had said and done all the things that Trump has gotten away with, she would not have made it to the race, and for good reasons."

If I were to vote in the US, I would undoubtedly vote against the candidate who has shown a total lack of commitment to democratic institutions and ideals. I would vote for Hillary Clinton.

Vote for Hillary. #Iamwithher

Thanks,

Nandita.

(A version of this post first appeared on the writer's Facebook page.)

Also read - Why is the US so insecure in run up to presidential election?