Eleanor Roosevelts Perception of Social Issues - Essay Example

The upsurge of fascism, in America, was to a particular degree conglomerated and multifaceted process that took place intensely and was quite a larger trend, in the 20th Century, which included other nations, as well (Abrams, 2001). In this context, I disagree with Roosevelt’s point of view because I do not support a fascist state, which is radical authoritarian. 

The beginning of the American fascism story can be drawn with the start of the worldview and experience we have as individuals in deduction of the civil war and the start of rebuilding. Throughout Roosevelt’s lifetime, as the first lady, she was a strong supporter of civil rights movements of both social reforms to uplift the poor and equal rights for women (Beasley et al. 2001). Therefore, she believed that a nation could only be unified through a totalitarian government that encourages mass mobilization, which supports fascist principles (Beasley et al. 2001). As a liberalist, I refute Roosevelt’s stance on this matter because fascist movements are hostile to socialism, communism, and liberal democracy.

Roosevelt’s talks about money and career were influenced by her family’s financial status.  She was brought up in a wealthy family implying that she liked earning a lot of money, which she often spend little on her and a lot on self-help groups and charity organizations (Abun-Nasr, 2007). This charitable nature and compassion, for the needy, is a value to be emulated, which influences my personal interest in charity. Eleanor was not widely perceived as a leader among career-oriented feminists. However, she believed in creating jobs and had a small staff to assist in her daily duties. As a naturalist, I support Roosevelt’s charitable work because it is every person’s responsibility to help poor people, in society, since their suffering is not because of God’s wrath, as some religions believe. Roosevelt preferred conducting countless trips to problem areas of the United States and Europe, especially Great Britain, where she visited army camps, factories, nurseries, and other sites associated with war (Black, 1996).

Roosevelt had a self-described dislike of sex.  It was cited that she once told her daughter it was an ordeal to be born and even considered her ill-suited for motherhood (Beasley et al. 2001). However, I feel that her advice to her daughter resulted from the nature of her sexuality as a bisexual. In the 1930s, Roosevelt had an intimate relationship with Lorena Hickok, an associated press reporter, who covered her during the last month of the presidential campaign and was purportedly deeply, in love with her (Black, 1996). Additionally, Roosevelt had a close relationship with Earl Miller, a New York state police sergeant, whom her husband had assigned as her bodyguard. Her relationship, with Miller, was her first romantic involvement, in her middle years. There is no doubt that Roosevelt was in love, with Earl, which makes me consider whether her personality is best, for young adults, like me, in considering money or career, social issues, or even sexuality as a vital issue, in modern society. It is also rumored that, in her later years, Eleanor developed a romantic attachment to her physician David Gurawitseh. If these allegations are true, then I believe that Roosevelt was passionate about love and sex, contrary to what she portrayed. This implies that she was not an open-minded person who could not even make her love life public, but hand around with both men and women in secrecy; something that was contrary to her faith in religion (Glendon, 2010)

In conclusion, my worldview and experience to some extent bring out Eleanor Roosevelt’s perception of social issues, sexuality, and money and her career under scrutiny. This is because her controversial sexual personality is questionable, hence not preferred, and her social issues are rather not well revealed. In this case, I cannot consider her my role model since I consider her a pretender. However, I strongly support her charitable work since she concentrated on outside affairs rather than family issues and her marriage. Roosevelt finally reminds me of the utter failure of money and privilege to promise happiness or a sense of well-being.