Race and Gender
Filed under: 2008 elections — Michael van der Galien, Editor-in-Chief on February 28, 2008 @ 6:30 pm CET
Jules Crittenden writes: “I am awaiting the opportunity to vote for a qualified, viable black man and/or woman for president. It could be a great thing for the United States and dramatically move us forward, beyond the wretched legacies of slavery, racism and sexism. But I haven’t had that opportunity yet.”
He also quotes one of his co-workers who told him that voting for Obama is important because “when he was growing up, black people were being lynched in this country.” In other words, Obama as president would signal how far America has moved forward.
That might all be true, but I agree with Jules that “I don’t see it as a reason, absent other qualifications, to elect a black man.” In fact, it sounds suspiciously as covered racism to me: ‘no, he may not be as qualified as he should be, but who cares, he’s black and charming.’ That’s affirmative action.
If there’s one thing that’s insulting to blacks it’s that. It’s judging them differently than we judge whites.
No, this post doesn’t indicate that all or even most of Obama’s supporters think like Jules’ co-worker. But some do. And, even if this person was the only one who thought like that, it’s worth responding to.
Elect someone because he or she is the best candidate, not because he will be the first black president or she because she will be the first female president. In my mind, it should not even play a minor role.
Sexism and racism will truly be gone when you all don’t even talk about it anymore. Neither by saying “he’s black / she’s a woman, so can’t be president” or “he’s black, which is inspiring and an opportunity / she’s a female which is,” etc. It will be gone when whenever someone raises the point - either as an advantage or disadvantage - will be blasted for it.
Or, even better, ignored.
1 redfish
February 28, 2008 @ 7:17 pm CETWell i think part of the point is that if it seems like Obama wins just because he’s black, that doesn’t help solve racial problems at all. It causes more division. However Obama might very well win for other reasons.
2 sashal
February 28, 2008 @ 7:20 pm CETI admit to the opposite prejudice.
I do not want another old white misguided and supported by the neoconservatives Bush III=McCain to win…
3 wj
February 28, 2008 @ 7:33 pm CETA more reasonable view would be that, if other considerations lead to Obama being elected President, the fact that he is black will provide certain side-benefits in addition to the reasons that led to his election. Which is not to say that there won’t be some people who will vote for, or against, him based on his race. Just that, for those who make their decision based on other considerations, it is not out of line to recognize that his race will have consequences. And to recognize that, in dealing with the rest of the world, mostly those consequences will be positive.
In short, race is not a good reason to vote for him. But it will have consequences nevertheless.
4 Jammer
February 28, 2008 @ 11:24 pm CETI dont think its possible for some people to divorce that issue from their decision, and I say its fine. So long as the candidate passes the intellectual-issue test and seems capable of winning, things needed to be a front runner, I would expect and have no issue with people who would support Obama in part because he is black. I also have no issue with people voting for Sen. Clinton in part because she would be the first woman. That has motivated me in part to support her. I would expect many women to be supportive of a first woman president, and thats fine too. I wish more of them felt that way. :) The black community has certainly rallied to Obama, and thats to be fully expected, and thats fine too.
Once you break the gender and/or color barrier to the White House, these issues will start to recede and become less and less important with each election cycle. But now? Its a real issue and its all good. When Dems look up on that debate stage and see a super smart woman and a super smart African American vying equally for the White House, that excites the. It excites me. A lot of people notice and talk about it and they glow with pride. I just wish we could elect both of them to avoid the hard feelings certain to ensue from the group that doesnt get to break the White House barrier just yet.
5 Americaneocon
February 29, 2008 @ 3:47 am CETWe won’t talk about it any more? Are you kidding? Barack’s basking in the "Reverse Bradley Effect," whereby the most minute mention of race triggers earthquake-volume charges of insenstitivity through the media/political establishment. It’s like a goldmine.
Look what LAT said today:
"Throughout Obama’s campaign, foes have invoked his middle name as a kind of dual-use code word to remind voters of his African ancestry and call into question his Christian faith.
McCain had not arrived at the rally in time to hear Cunningham’s remarks. Asked whether Obama’s middle name — a family name of Arab descent — was appropriate fodder for political discourse, McCain said, ‘No, it is not. . . . I absolutely repudiate such comments.’"
Candidates can’t even say someone’s middle name without being attacked. Of course McCain was right to reject the innuendo, but it’s the larger level of fear of setting off any liberal 527 or radical blog, like FDL, who might rain down allegations for days, which will be picked up by NYT, and on and on.
Nope, we won’t be rid of race - the multi-culti hordes benefit too much from it.