I have read numerous articles regarding this subject. At first, I was very excited to learn that America might have its first female President or a man of color President for 2008. However, I realized that racism and sexism still and will exist for at least another decade.
America is not ready for a female or a man of color President yet, at least not for 2008. The more I think about it, the more I start to imagine an Asian woman running for President. My imagination then takes a step further and wonder what it would be like to have a President who is bisexual, homosexual...or even a transgender. Would that be possible one day? Maybe.
If I has to choose between Hillary and Barack...I would say Hillary Clinton has more experience in the White House while Barack Obama has no experience at all. Therefore, I am leaning towards Clinton more since she probably knows what she is talking about. At the same time, I am well aware that Clinton's history is not all filled with rainbows and butterflies. Heck, even my teacher said Clinton says things that people want to hear. I still have respect for Hillary for stepping up to be where she is now.
I have no doubt that "big" states such as New York and California would support either Clinton and Obama. Most people would think that this is a new millennium, sexism and racism do not exist as much as they used to. But I think they still very much exist behind the closets and bathroom stalls (wink wink...I wonder is anyone will get this reference)...
I think that people would vote for a female or colored president either because they are, or because they like their beliefs. I think that having a woman or colored president would help stop their being treated different by some people.
Writing stuff like this will encourage the idea of not voting for Hilary or Barack, even if they are the most qualified. We have to encourage our candidates no matter what color or gender they may be.
Love, Peace, Jesus and Hair Grease
No, I don't think what I wrote would be powerful enough to discourage people from voting for Hilary and Barack. I think it would actually encourage people to prove me wrong. If you read carefully, I'm actually supporting Hillary. Thanks for your concern anyway.
I do not believe America is ready for a woman or African American president. I agree that their is still a great deal of racism and sexist tendencies in this country, even though we try to claim that it is fair.
I do have to say that I think your figures may be a little off though. You said there is a chance of getting rid of racism and sexism within a decade, but I disagree. Honestly I think there will always be at least a little bit of racism and sexism, just because groups with similarities will always group together and will always fight to be the best and more dominant group.
I agree whole heartedly, I was actually having a conversation about this a few weeks ago with my mother.
Personally, I don't think that America's not ready, I think America (as a society) chooses to not be ready.
I really don't think that being ready will ever just happen, I don't think America will just magically "be" ready ... It's about taking that leap. People tend to stick with what they know, what is familiar. The unfamiliar is unknown. Not stepping out into unfamiliar territory is possibly one of the most signigicant ways of robbing oneself.
~Jessica~
"The only man I know who behaves sensibly is my tailor; he takes my measurements anew each time he sees me. The rest go on with their old measurements and expect me to fit them" - George Bernard Shaw-