This is a difficult discussion, and I want to be graceful about all mourning.

But the American liberal proverb "powerful political individual X doesn't owe you anything" must be destroyed. They're means to ends on behalf of millions of ordinary people, and nothing more. https://twitter.com/TheDailyKoko/status/1307369451910819846

For example: is descriptive representation a means or an end? The answer should be clear. It is, again, merely a means to an end via empowerment and increased participation of people with shared identities. It's not an end in an of itself.

Is the kid touching Obama's hair photo an end? Maybe to some extent. But more important is that it represents the inspiration and empowerment of young Black people, who will then participate and run for office and...ya know...implement policies that help regular Black people!

Is criticism like this disproportionately leveled when women are the political actors whose strategy is in question? Surely. We have to understand that, as well as the original point.