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By Steph ⋅ September 9, 2008 ⋅

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Tags: Barack Obama, gender, politics, race, Sandra Day O'Connor

Society as a whole benefits immeasurably from a climate in which all persons, regardless of race or gender, may have the opportunity to earn respect, responsibility, advancement and remuneration based on ability.
– Sandra Day O’Connor

Think about that for a moment. That’s kind of mind-blowing, innit? We stop looking at race or gender or sexual orientation or anything else and just look at a person’s ability to do a job? We say, “This person’s qualifications for this job make them the best candidate for this job; we should hire them”? Mind-blowing.

Especially right now when we have a black man* running for President and a woman running for Vice President. What if we could simply look at the tickets and say, “This ticket shares my personal beliefs; this ticket is the one for which I’ll cast my vote”?

I think, my friends, we might be looking at this election in a completely different way. Instead of seeing this as historical, we’d wonder why it had taken so long to get here in the first place. Or maybe that’s just me.

*I’d like to acknowledge that I realize Barack Obama is actually of a mixed racial heritage. I don’t think it’s relevant, but I’d rather acknowledge it than get 4239487 e-mails about how Mr. Obama isn’t actually black.

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I know a lot of people will likely disagree with me or call me intolerant or what the fuck ever but who cares.

I honestly feel like it took us this long to get here because our culture worships Lil’ John and the Ying Yang Twins as paradigms of black culture instead of strong, intelligent black men like Barack Obama. Additionally, we worship Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan as pillars of what makes a woman a woman instead of the ever amazing and groundbreaking Sandra Day O’Connor. This my dear, is why the fuck it took us so long to get here. As a culture, we spend all our time focusing on celebrity and reality TV and garbage bullshit so that we have no idea what educated, well-prepared, well-fucking-rounded people are supposed to look like. Even this election is getting turned into some pop culture circus.

Obviously this subject pisses me off. On a lighter note, the thought of a Ying Yang/Li-Lo Ticket made me almost shoot soda out my nose. lolz

Posted by Missy

| September 9, 2008, 3:11 pm

what missy said!

Posted by matteroffactmommy

| September 9, 2008, 8:05 pm

you so smart. no, really, what missy said and more. it looks like we’ve come a long way, but really, we are still only partly there.
BTW, i’m back. took a break from blogging, but I’m back. I’ve had a hell of a week and it’s only Tuesday. ugh.

Posted by Queen Bee

| September 9, 2008, 9:58 pm

I think women and minorities have made a lot of progress but there is still more to be made. Until we get to the point where the fact that a woman and/or a minority are running for office (or CEO or whatever) is no big deal because of how many others there are, there is still work to be done. I hope that made sense.

Posted by Melanie @ Mel, A Dramatic Mommy

| September 9, 2008, 10:31 pm

You freakin’ girls. So smart. Seriously. I have nothing to add.
(For once.)

Posted by San Diego Momma

| September 9, 2008, 11:16 pm

Missy - I don’t disagree even a little, but I wonder *why it is. Why does it seem like we’re more interested in the outcome of American Idol than the outcome of our Presidential elections? Why do we glorify Lindsay Lohan or Lil John and not Sandra Day O’Connor or Colin Powell?

Aside from all that, I would genuinely like to see a time when color or sex organs don’t even *register in our minds when making a decision like who should be Commander-in-Chief.

MoFM - And she was worried she’d be judged. ;)

QB - Welcome back. Also? Blog guilt-free, my friend. Read when you want, comment when you want, blog when you want. It’s fabulous, I swear.

And yeah - that’s my point. We’ve come a long way, but not nearly far enough.

Mel - First, before I forget again, do you prefer Mel or Melanie? I’ve been meaning to ask, and I keep forgetting.

Anyway, yes. Exactly. I realize that given where this country was, oh, forty years ago, blacks and women have, indeed, come a long way. What I can’t figure out is why we still have so far to go.

Deb - Psht. Whatevs. I love it when you throw your two cents in.

Posted by Steph

| September 10, 2008, 5:17 am

The problem is resentment. Most black people resent their race’s treatement in this country, and so when a black man gets to this point in the election, they want nothing more than to see him reach the top. A lot of white people resent the backlash of reverse-racism; they feel that every white person is labeled as being racist (like Obama’s comment about “typical white people” being afraid of black people, like his white grandma was.)
I lived in Chicago for most of my life. Personally, I thought that black people didn’t really experience all that much racism anymore, and even got more advantages when it came to getting jobs and money for college, than white people. Until my sister married a guy who is half-black and I got to see just how often he gets treated just differently enough.
Racism and sexism, thanks to the ignorant and rage-filled hatemongers in this country, is still alive and well. The victims of it are pissed off, which is why this election is about gender and race and not the candidates’ actual qualifications or ability.
(Whew! Sorry. I’ll step down off of my soapbox now.)

Posted by Lindsey

| September 10, 2008, 9:38 am

I actually feel sort of guilted into voting for Obama–like if I vote the “wrong way” in such a historic election, I’ll have to tell my grandchildren that I supported McCain and feel all weird and white supremist. What happend to chosing between two old white guys? Ah, the good ol’ uncomplicated days! :)

Posted by Jaci

| September 10, 2008, 11:26 am

Steph - for really. I have no idea. Maybe its because we’re starting to live the real life version of idiocracy. Its got electrolytes!

Posted by Missy

| September 10, 2008, 2:14 pm

Lindsey - You’ve seen pictures of my oldest two, I think. So you know that I have some experience when it comes to how some folks treat multi/biracial children, and you will never, ever hear me argue that racism is dead. It’s not. Not even close. But it’s also been my experience that it is being kept alive by EVERYONE involved. I’d love to say that ALL black folks were accepting and tolerant of my children, but that would be as much a lie as saying all white folks were tolerant and accepting.

I think the issue here really comes down to the fact that, like it or not, people still relate to each other in terms of color and gender. There is a self-imposed segregation in the South that is both compelling and bizarre. But I’m starting to head into waters probably best left uncharted, at least by a white woman.

Jaci - Alternatively, you could tell them you supported the candidate you felt was best qualified for the job. :)

Missy - LAWLZ.

Posted by Steph

| September 10, 2008, 4:34 pm

I love that quote. So true. I just wish I could get excited about this election. I miss 1998 and “irrational exuberance.” People are really struggling right now, and it’s just a difficult time all around.

Posted by Myra

| September 10, 2008, 8:17 pm

Myra - I told Bill earlier that I felt this was absolutely the MOST ridiculous campaigning I’d ever seen - on BOTH sides. I can’t get excited about either of the “big” parties this year. Not even a little.

Posted by Steph

| September 11, 2008, 12:49 pm

@missy re: the idiocracy comment– my dad (aka Gorton) has seen that movie and i haven’t. he lives with us during the week sometimes and cooks, cleans & entertains his grandchildren. anyhoo, the other day he goes, “IT’S GOT ELECTROLYTES!” i’m like, “huh?” and then he explained that i need to watch the movie. so yeah, i think i will watch the movie now…

@lindsey– AMEN!

Posted by matteroffactmommy

| September 11, 2008, 2:00 pm

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