So we have another "controversy" over statements made by a big wig in one of the Democratic presidential candidates campaigns. (Please note that I have not seen the video so I don't know how it actually game off and have only seen edited quotes so I do acknowledge that sometimes things don't come out as well as they seemed when we formed the thought in our head.) This time it's Geraldine Ferraro saying that Obama's race is partially responsible for him being in this position. And him and his campaign have flipped out about it. My question is: Why is everyone so afraid of the truth? And why are they acting like it's a bad thing to acknowledge it?
Considering the fact that in South Carolina Obama spent a good chunk of time playing to the more religious part of the African-American community (not the overall Democratic religious community at large [at least that's how all the media showed it]) it's a little disingenuous and less than honest of him to now be all offended at the notion that his race has anything to do with the tightness of this primary run. The fact that when people look at both him and Hillary they see something vastly different than what we've had before is a huge part of this years nomination. It's why people who haven't participated before are getting out there and voting. It's why the youth of American are excited about this years potential candidates.
America is suppose to be a country where our differences are celebrated. Where those differences are what makes a strong and great nation. At least that's what we are taught when we're young. And that is what the idealists among us believe about this country. It is the uniting of all our differences that is a big part of Obama's platform. Denying the differences doesn't help bring us together. So why is he acting like his race has nothing to do with his success in this process? No one is saying it is the only reason he is where he is, whether it be in the Senate or as the current leader for the nomination. You must be able to acknowledge the differences to accept them.
Until now when people have looked at the front runners for either party during the nominating process all they've seen are generally old (with a few exceptions) white men. And they are normally very well off white men. (Let's face it no poor or lower middle class person would stand a chance at the moment.) But, this year we have a white woman and an African-American man duking it out for the Democratic nomination. So lets all just accept and admit the truth, things are this tight because of gender and race.
I really don't know how things would be if this was Edwards and Obama or Edwards and Hillary. I doubt it would be as tight with either of those two versions of nominees but, I honestly don't know which one would be ahead in either version.
However, if you took the three of them and made them into the same thing. Whether that be making them all women or all men of one race, you'd be looking at a primary where I believe Edwards would be ahead. The reason I say that is that his age would be younger than that of Hillary while his experience would be more than Obama.
Obama said that Hillary would be offended if someone said she's where she is because of her gender. If they said that, that was the only reason she was where she is yes she might be offended. But, I highly doubt she'd deny that her gender plays some part in her success. So lets just be honest for a minute. If Obama was white his speech at the convention in 2004 probably wouldn't have been as powerful. And people would just see another white guy saying the same things now.
I for one am extremely proud as an American, as a Democrat, and as a woman that this year we have two very viable candidates that are not white men. I am proud that we are showing the country and the world that the American dream of being anything you want is actually true. That neither your race nor your gender will keep you from having a real chance at being President. I do not think we should in anyway deny the truth. We should embrace the truth because once you do, that is when it truly becomes a non factor.
1 comment:
Ironic that you did a post on this because I was going to do a similar one (and probobly still will).
Ferraro said that if Obama wasn't black he wouldn't be where he is. If she had said race plays a part in it that would be one thing but she basically said that that's all he has in his corner. And her little whine about being attacked because she's white really bugged me.
The fact is that both of them are where they are because they aren't white men. That has excited people.
The problem in this country is that race, gender and class aren't things people are comfortable talking about.
Hillary has it tough because if she's vunerable she's not tough enough and if she is is tough she's a bitch.
Barack can't bee too black or white people may not vote for him and he can't be too mainstream becasue people will say he's a sellout.
That's the problem with going with either of these candidates. We are in uncharted areas in terms of American politics here.
Meanwhile John McCain goes unattacked.
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