What role did race, gender and religion play in the campaign? This question was inspired by Tim Russert’s roundtable after Hilary Clinton’s blunder by mentioning RFK assassination while explaining her reasons to stay in the democratic nomination race. Here it is a good point to make that the question is too general and at the same time very important as it reflects the configuration of the democratic race to the presidency.
The race is at a historical turning point as Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton represent two segments of the population of this country that have fought all the way to be where they are today.
Nobody ignores the way freedom for black people was fought in this country; ranging from slavery and the Civil Rights Movement of the 60s to several riots that happened in the early 90’s. Another front for woman rights was already opened in the early 18th century with figures as emblematic as Elizabeth C. Stanton and Susan B. Anthony who harshly fought to get women out of the home.
Yet, despite all the progress and this historical moment, one can look and notice that there is another long way to go to finally make race and gender part of the routine in all our actions and aspirations. To make it clear, let us say that more steps are needed weed out gender and race issues from the orchard this nation has strived to maintain successfully so far.
For this particular blog entry I’m interested in the gender issues mainly made of stereotypes toward Hillary Clinton and women in general. When Tim Russert asked the question about the role of gender and race in the primary elections, I was stunned by a certain number of reactions that really poked the wound that the American people has always endeavored to heal. One of the participants equaled Hillary Clinton’s attitude to victimism or Sharptonism (in reference to Rev. Al Sharpton
Definitely Clinton shows that women are ready to lead this country but some think she uses feminism as opportunism. I do not think that Hilary is covering her limits or blunders by playing the gender card. The issue is that this country has yet to get away from a lot of issues that are still lingering. Hope that this race would be a landmark for this to go beyond gender and race. I do think that the coming general election in November will be a good way to probe the extent to which race and gender issues characterize our way of life.
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While its probably trite to hear from me, about international topics. I feel that this blog points out a great amount of importance brings for the continuing struggle for equal rights and representation in the US. This is absolutely true. If either democratic nominee wins, it’ll be the first time that either an African American or a Woman, will enter the white house. In fact, it’ll be the first that’s not a white man. You could say that it’ll be the first other than a White, Anglo Saxon, Protestant Male, the dreaded WASP, to enter the white house. However, my man Kennedy was catholic. Certain Americans believed that a Catholic in the white house would be detrimental to the States
Nevertheless, internationally both democratic candidates would speak volumes for the American People. It gives me extreme joy to think that we are mere days or hours from having Obama be the Democratic nominee. While I was in Spain and my trips to the most touristic of the touristic of Europe, I’d talk to all kinds of people. The general feel that I got, which isn’t surprising nowadays, is that America is favorable to foreign eyes. So that I don’t drift from the topic of Race and the Media, Obama would be the best option for our international image, at least in Europe. After almost 8 years of the world seeing in the media just another WASP in the chain of presidents, we’d have the metaphorical axe to that chain.
People would see Barack Obama as the President of the United States. In a country that is portrayed in entertainment media as racist, what would people say about American People if that 50% or higher, hopefully, of the voters said it doesn’t matter that he is black? Instead, he’s just an incredible leader. The basic irrefutable point is that in our globalizing society, people see the US by generally only two ways; our entertainment media and our policies headlined by our president. And Obama in that media light would heighten our image!
I was very glad to read this blog, especially since it focused primarily on Hillary Clinton's struggle in this presidential race. I have been watching the prejudices that have risen from the beginning of this election season. It is amazing that in 2008 issues like race, gender, and religion have been attacked without any negative consequences.
We have seen Barack Obama's racial heritage become a never ending concern because he could be the first black president and also because his presence puts racial issues out on the table. So many people feel uncomfortable if race is mentioned because it is such a personal topic, but his campaign has made everyone talk about the issue.
Another issue that has affected Obama's campaign is religion, but is intertwined with being an African American. His church and association with Rev. Jeremiah White has caused a major bump in his political road, but nothing like what happened to Mitt Romney. Romney didn't have a chance at gaining presidency after the media and public opinion attacked him for being a Mormon.
As far as Hillary is concerned, she has been treated horribly throughout this entire campaign and I blame the media. They have pounced on everything that she has ever said or done, more so than I think any other candidate. She has misspoken a few times, but so have the rest of the candidates. The fact that commentators made such a big deal about her gender affecting her right for presidency is ridiculous. Such comments are just as prejudicial as using a racial slur in my opinion.
I cannot wait until race, gender, and religion are no longer issues that dictate how a person is viewed by others. Becoming president of the United States should be about who can deliver on the issues that matter to the majority and who an individual is as a person.
I really enjoyed reading this blog, because the issues are unrelenting in the 2008 election.
I love the fact that the 2008 Democratic Campaign is flooded with landmark ethnic and gender issues—issues that needed to be brought to the forefront of America. However, I can't help but to think all of the gender bashing towards Hillary Clinton is exhausting. Every time I turn on the television all I hear about the election is how Hillary Clinton plays the gender card and Barack Obama plays the race card—I never hear anything about the issues or the facts.
Currently, several countries such as Chile, Switzerland, India, Germany and Liberia have elected female leaders. So, what is holding us back as a nation? Why do we have such prejudice and discrimination towards women when several democratic nations have already surpassed us in terms of gender equality?
Since America was founded white males have always had precedence in politics. Look at our currency—it’s paved with pictures reminding us about our nation’s white heritage. However, our nation was founded on the ideals of freedom, equality and justice. So, isn’t it time to put aside our gender prejudice and fully establish gender equality?
There’s absolutely no reason why Hillary, as a woman, could not successfully operate the presidency. She has more credentials than any nominee, however; many citizens fail to look past the fact that she is female and, in the eyes of many Americans, unfit to perform her duties as a president simply because she is a female. Americans believe women are weak and powerless, but Hillary has proved to be persistent and unrelenting in her campaign efforts.
Personally, I’m anxious to see who will clench the nomination tonight, but no matter what happens, America could still see a different gender and race in the White House in 2009. I, too, really hope that the future of America is not solely contingent upon the ideals of a middle-aged white male.
Wow, keep it going. I am curious. The initial blog and all the comments seem to have the same train of thought. My question is to ask if you think because there might be a chance to have a person of color in the white house, does that mean that race and gender will suddenly become non-issues in this country? Is that the answer to what ails us?
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