KJ Elizabeth

I’ve heard this question bandied about a lot throughout the coverage of the presidential nomination campaign: Is America ready for a black or female President? The word “ready” is interesting. It’s a polite way of asking Does America still have racism and sexism in its heart? If America is not “ready” for a black or female President, it means America still has significant levels of racism and sexism that would prevent a black or female candidate being elected. So the question of whether America is “ready” is more a question of whether race and sex effects how people view these candidates, and how they will vote.

My own view is that if Hilary is not elected, it won’t be because she is a woman, it will be because she is Hilary Clinton. There’s too much baggage with that name. She is not her husband, but she has been in the game a long time. It is time for not only a new face, but a new family! I’m uncomfortable with the prospect of the last four presidents of the US coming from 2 families, Bush and Clinton. You have to wonder about the veracity of America’s democracy when two families are hogging the top job.

People assume I would support Hilary Clinton because she is a woman and I am a feminist. I want to see more women in positions of power, sure, but I also want to see the right person in the job. Supporting a female candidate because she is a woman is not smart feminism in my books. Maybe I’ve watched too much of The West Wing, but I’m backing Obama.

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