In the United States this year there is a very hopeful sign for the future. Of all places, it can be found in our electoral choices this year for Democratic president. A woman and an African American! For the first time, there is a chance that the country won’t be lead by a rich, white man…that our leader will reflect the majority, not the minority. Wow! Amazing!
Feminists carry posters of “Rosie the Riveter”. They shout “down with the patriarchy!”, “End sexism!”, “A woman can do it better!” By all means, put a woman in office. Hell, look at the state of our country! Obviously, men can’t run it; vote for her simply because it’s “her” not “him”.
Racial activists see the chance for equality. Here is a fine, intelligent, successful black man who can storm the oppressive stronghold held by whites for so long. He is the great hope for the future, someone who truly represents the country and is The People just by virtue of not being white.
Initially, I, too, was excited by this. Personally, I feel our country needs a change. There’s no denying the upcoming election is historic and is of a positive nature. It's exciting. So many doors are being opened to minority populations and it is about time! I cannot wait until there is representation of every sexual, gender, racial, class and ability minority in high-visibility, prestigious, respected positions to show it can be done, for youth to look up to, to aspire to, to say he or she did it so can I! Yet I recently realized something.
I've realized that anyone no matter what their identity has the ability to do a good or bad job; the fact is yes, it can be much worse than it is now & anyone no matter what their race or gender is perfectly capable of proving that. Before going to the polls, it’s important not to just notice the wrapper one might come in, but to peel it and not be blinded by the exterior to what each candidate stands for and hopes to accomplish. When I go to the polls, I won't vote for someone simply because of the minority identity which their outward appearance represents. I want to know where they stand on social issues, the war in Iraq, education, economy. I want to believe that history will look back on choices they and their cabinet will make in running our country and feel pride, relief, and that I made a good decision when I cast my vote. I don't want to vote just for a race or a gender, but for their ability to lead effectively, make good decisions that I as an American won't view with shame in the future. I am doing my research and plan to make an informed -- not blind -- decision. I hope that other voters do the same; our future as well as those of our loved ones in & out of the United States depends on it.
I just wanted to share this with you. I was doing some research on a class assignment on the president election. I had to reasearch both presidential candidates. When I pulled up Hillary Clinton on Google, it brought me to a link for her myspace site. I was amazed to see all the information on her myspace about the election process and status. I was thinking that was actually a very smart move on her part because there is a lot of our younger generation on myspace these days. It showed video conferences, stats on voting in the different states and a lot of other information. Just intrigued me a little. I really think that the candidate we vote for should be because we feel they can do the best job not for any other reason.
Agreed. It's a mart move on the part of candidates to target younger populations, especially those that might be different in some way. Trends show older populations tend to stick with "tried & true" & see that as safer, whereas younger people tend to be more willing to take risks on something new. Influencing the young now is an investment that could have lasting implications.
It's sometimes important to remember when researching a candidate that actions speak louder than words...sometimes the most important things said are those that aren't. The United States is in a state of desperation for something radically different; this can be a very good or bad thing...it just depends if people seek something different but end up making the same mistakes. Looks can be deceiving.
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"Freedom is an expensive thing." ~ Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.