Black VoicesHillary ClintonJada Pinkett SmithElections 2016

Jada Pinkett Smith Explains Why She Is 'Confused And Anxious' About Hillary Clinton's Presidential Bid

Jada Pinkett Smith: Will Women Of Color Be Neglected If Hillary Clinton Is Elected President?
Open Image Modal
By 

Pop Culture Editor, HuffPost

|

Earlier this month Hillary Clinton ended years of speculation by launching her second presidential bid. And while some were excited to hear Clinton’s announcement, Jada Pinkett Smith is a bit apprehensive about her 2016 aspirations.

The actress and philanthropist recently penned an open Facebook letter titled, “Race vs Gender,” in which she admitted to being more “confused and anxious” about a Clinton candidacy than excited due to “old hurts and scars” stemming from race relations.


In the past, I have been criticized for suggesting that black women extend our media platforms to white women in the way in which white women are making strides to extend their media platforms to us, but Hillary’s announcement reminded me that the relationship between black and white women on the political platform has been deeply complicated, disappointing and painful. The only question I have been asking myself is if I’m suppose to vote for Hillary because she is a woman; will she take us to the mountaintop with her or will women of color once again be left out and left behind?

The “Gotham” star went on to mention how black women were previously excluded from the Women’s Suffrage Movement, and how she has been personally affected by the feminist movement.

“I personally suffered the racism and classism of the feminist movement and now have had to watch my daughter battle even ageism as she journeys to participate in the feminist movement,” she added. “But she continues to fight the good fight referring to herself as a feminist while her mother refers to herself as a womanist who supports feminism and feminists.”


Can Hillary, whether she becomes President or not, heal the broken political ties of the women of this nation? I know it takes far more than the idea of being the first female President of the United States to run this country, but as a woman, it sure is an exciting idea. Women of color and white women have been taking on the majority of their fights on the political platform on separate lines; can Hillary Clinton change that legacy through her journey to become president?

Since posting on April 18, Pinkett Smith’s open letter has gotten over 53,600 likes from readers, including actress Zoe Saldana. Despite Pinkett Smith's thoughts, a number of black celebrities have shown their support for Clinton:

Read more of Jada Pinkett Smith’s letter here.

Our 2024 Coverage Needs You

As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.

Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.

to keep our news free for all.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

Hillary Clinton
(01 of18)
Open Image Modal
U. S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton waits to speak as she is introduced at Singapore Management University, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012, in Singapore. (credit:AP)
(02 of18)
Open Image Modal
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton gestures as she speaks during a ceremony in recognition of World AIDS Day, Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, at the State Department in Washington, where she released The U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, (PEPFAR) Blueprint' for Creating an AIDS- Free Generation. (credit:AP)
(03 of18)
Open Image Modal
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton speaks at a press conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, Wednesday Dec. 5, 2012. NATO foreign ministers were set Wednesday to shift their focus to the way forward in Afghanistan during a second day of talks in Brussels, as the military alliance prepares to withdraw its combat troops in 2014. (credit:AP)
(04 of18)
Open Image Modal
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton gestures as she gives a speech: "Frontlines and Frontiers: Making Human Rights a Human Reality," Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012, at Dublin City University in Dublin, Ireland. (credit:AP)
(05 of18)
Open Image Modal
In this Dec. 1, 2012 file photo, Actress Meryl Streep uses her iPhone to get a photo of her and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton following the State Department Dinner for the Kennedy Center Honors gala at the State Department in Washington. (credit:AP)
(06 of18)
Open Image Modal
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton speaks during a Global Townterview at the Newseum in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013. (credit:RM)
(07 of18)
Open Image Modal
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the deadly September attack on a US diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya in Jan. 2013. (credit:RM)
(08 of18)
Open Image Modal
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton smiles before speaking on American leadership at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013. (credit:AP)
(09 of18)
Open Image Modal
Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton laughs as she gives a speech during a ceremony honoring her at the Pentagon, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013, where outgoing Defense Secretary Leon Panetta presented her with the Defense Department's Medal for Distinguished Public Service. (credit:AP)
(10 of18)
Open Image Modal
This April 2, 2013, file photo shows former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton addressing the Vital Voices Global Partnership 2013 Global Leadership Awards gala at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. Clinton is getting plenty of encouragement to run for president in 2016. Her re-emergence this past week after a two-month break brought out cheering supporters when she gave speeches focused on the issues of women and girls around the world. (credit:AP)
(11 of18)
Open Image Modal
Hillary Clinton greets the audience during a Yale Law School ceremony at Yale University, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013, in New Haven, Conn. Clinton received the Yale Law School Association Award of Merit, which is presented annually to those who have made a substantial contribution to public service or the legal profession. (credit:AP)
(12 of18)
Open Image Modal
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, left, poses onstage for a photograph with Elton John after receiving her Founders award during the Elton John AIDS Foundation's 12th Annual "An Enduring Vision" benefit gala at Cipriani Wall Street on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2013, in New York. (credit:AP)
(13 of18)
Open Image Modal
In a Monday, Aug. 12, 2013 file photo, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks to the American Bar Association Annual Meeting Monday, Aug. 12, 2013, in San Francisco. Clinton spoke about maintaining the Voting Rights Act and received a medal from the association. The former secretary of state will receive the Elton John AIDS Foundation's first Founder's Award for her support of gay rights. In a statement Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013, the foundation cited a 2011 speech in which Clinton asserted that gay rights were human rights for helping envision a world without AIDS.
(14 of18)
Open Image Modal
Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton walks to the podium after receiving the Liberty Medal during a ceremony at the National Constitution Center, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013, in Philadelphia. The honor is given annually to an individual who displays courage and conviction while striving to secure liberty for people worldwide. (credit:AP)
(15 of18)
Open Image Modal
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton addresses a gala celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Center for American Progress at the Mellon Auditorium October 24, 2013 in Washington, DC. Co-founded by former Clinton Administration Chief of Staff John Podesta, the liberal public policy research and advocacy organization is a think tank that rivals conservative policy groups, such as the Heritage Foundation and the American Enterprise Institute. (credit:Getty)
(16 of18)
Open Image Modal
Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton speaks after receiving the National Defense Foundation University's (NDU) American Patriot Award during a gala dinner at the Ronald Reagan Center in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2013. The American Patriot Award annually recognizes leaders of extraordinary caliber who have strengthened America's strategic interests and advanced global security. (credit:AP)
(17 of18)
Open Image Modal
Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton walks past the Presidential seal in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013, after a ceremony where President Barack Obama awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to former President Bill Clinton and others. (credit:AP)
(18 of18)
Open Image Modal
Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks after receiving the 2013 Lantos Human Rights Prize during a ceremony on Capitol Hill in Washington on Dec. 6, 2013. (credit:Getty)
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip