Chew on This: Gender and Race in 2008
For most of 2007 we have been hanging around with a couple of big fat pink elephants in the room. Only very few have dared to acknowledge them at the risk of being labeled somewhat un-PC. How ironic that elephant number # 1, Gender, and elephant # 2, Race, have been lurking around with no one publicly acknowledging either -- until now. Ironic I say, because we seem to be a country that is for better or worse consumed by these issues. But I suppose the elephants are getting so fat that they cant be ignored any longer. That is why Decision 2008 is proving to be one of the most exiting presidential elections yet. Not only do we have the historic contenders, Republican vs. Democrat, the Clinton vs. Bush dynasty, but we are kicking it up a notch with a Female and an African American candidate both of which have a real shot at presidency. Now this is what I call Reality Television.
Why they’ve come to the forefront?
Gender and race have come into the forefront after a series of events that has set the stage for their limelight. The internet rumors of Obama being Muslim (I guess that’s a bad thing), the “emotional” reaction of Clinton in response to the teaming of Obama and Edwards in the debate prior to the New Hampshire primaries (darned if you “cry”, darned if you don’t). Then came Clinton’s comments on the contribution of Martin Luther King Jr. in the civil rights movement. This was followed by both candidates drawing attention to these issues by talking about how gender and race should not be an issue. And then we have The Republican only-white-male- rat-pack, which cannot believe what’s hit them and are trying to ignore this is even happening.
A bit of history?
But the truth is gender and race aren’t really new concepts in presidential elections. Throughout US history we’ve had both women and African Americans candidate run for president. Women have been posting for candidacy since before women even had the right to vote, and conversely African American candidates have been running for well over 40 years.
Unfortunately our super power country has yet to take the leap in electing a Female president, as many “third-world” countries already have. Respectively, the highest office ever held by an African American has been Secretary of State. Not surprising, in a country where having a Catholic president (JFK) was a point of anxiety for many Americans. But history has shown that going against the grain has provided us with exceptional leadership.
Despite their run not really making history by being the first in gender and race candidacy, the truth remains that this may be the first time a Woman and an African American are both considered credible and electable candidates - a factor obviously lacking in past elections. And whatever your political persuasion or lack thereof, I’m sure this election will be considered the superbowl of all elections and sure to keep you hooked. Go Giants!...err Candidates!
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