Sexism, Racism & Defining History In Political Theory
May 23rd 2008 15:53
Before the dust has even settled on the 2008 Democratic Primary Campaign the definitions of how some won and some lost are already being laid down before our very eyes.
Carrying the short end of the stick in delegates the Clinton campaign has began the charge of declaring the campaign as sexist and unfair.
The very same canidate who was praised for being tougher and more experienced in the ways of the world than her Male copunterparts is clinging to conspiracy theories and sterotypes as to the reason why she is not the apparent nomineee of the Democratic party.
Truth be told there have been instances of sexism and racism throughout this campaign proscess. One would have to expect this from a society that has oppressed people by sex, race and religion throughout our contries 200 year history.
Glass ceilings have been broken by both groups in every elected office throughout our nation as people of all colors and sex enjoy positions of power and fame in high levels of elected federal and state governments in this nation.
If sexism and racism are apparent in this country we have to ask ourselves a question of cause and affect and what it means in the big picture.
Not so long ago it would of been an impossibilty for a person of color or a woman to even have an opportunity to be accepted by the majority of American people to become a represenative for one of the two "big parties" in a national election.
This theory was shattered in this election year by the record number of voters who came out in support of a black man and a white woman but for some this was not enough. T
he losing party in any race will always take time in reflection and blame for their misfortune. The parties participating in the sexism Senator Clinton is referring too are living in an archaic period where strong women are considered overly agressive and compared to female dogs.
For the most part these people have been thrown on the backburner, considered irrelevant and given little creedance while the story of our electorate predictably splitting by way of social class and race has been splashed and exploited by the political Czars and Pundits.
People are entitled to vote for whomever they want based on sex, race and religion as there is no set guidelines for casting a vote but the problems come when perceptions are shaped by sound bytes and enuendo through our media.
I'm not blaming the media for doing their job and pointing out honest differences in the electorate and voting patterns but it is the job of our political leaders to stay above the fray and not expolit their canidates racial differences in an effort to divide the electorate by way of sex, class, religion and race.
The Clinton Brand is just as American and generic as companies like Home Depot and Sears. It was built by million dollar political brand designers and harkens on better economic times and (falsely for) peace for people in middle America who are suffering.
On a blank canvas these Americans are being asked to vote for something that is foreign to them on so many scales against a name they have eight hyears of good times and prosperity with... it would be ludacrous to ask for anything but for a small section of this group cling to their worst fears and internet furvor.
I hope I am wrong on this one....
I also hope this doesn't classify all the voters in the formentioned regions carrying onto the general election but rather a very low percentage.
Senator Clinton walked into this campaign with love, admiration and every advantage. Like every other canidate it was her job to live up to the experience she brought into it.
Her experience of White House proscess and Senatorial experience was met head on with a wave of needed change and reform in Washington politics.
Her reluctance to change Campaign Tactics, Avoid Negative Campaigning, Misbudgeting and Stick to her Message is the reason why she lost this political race not her sex.
Both Canidates more than overcame societal stigmas against them to the best of their ability. America already understood who she was and what she was about long before this race began as many prognosticated her taking the Presidency 8 years ago.
Her ambition and qualifications are just as clear now as they were 8 years ago and she still has a clear approval rating as being qualified for the White House as she is overly qualified for this poistion.
Are there still sexist aspects in our society? Yes
Are there still racist aspects in our society? Yes
What we need to do as individuals is sit back and look at the history being written and the overall acceptance of a black man and a woman as qualified as Commander and Chief. This is the story of the day not how we still have archaic portions of our society that are never going to change without understanding and education.
People will always be racist and sexist in our society. It is our job as American citizens to educate the next generation for a better future. My hope is that we can finally look forward as the groundwork is being laid for our childrens future and not back at false calls to a conspiracy that never was...
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