Thoughts regarding the Democratic primary...

Like many people, WMEG has been closely following the primary elections this year. Like anyone else, we are extremely concerned with the state of this country-- not to mention the world-- and we know that whoever is elected our next President will have a significant effect on what happens with Iraq, immigration, civil rights, and more. Obviously, we WMEGs are left-leaning ladies and ladysirs, and look to this season's Democratic primaries for our next presidential hopeful (since, unfortunately, any candidate from a more liberal party or-- gasp!-- no party affiliation at all, has no chance). Essentially, then, for us it has come down to two candidates, really-- Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

Now, perhaps we should let it be known that WMEG "endorses" Barack Obama in this election-- based on his political history, his ideas, and the change he stands for, which really should be the reason anyone votes for whoever they do. But regardless of our choice-- which isn't really what this post is about anyway-- we are truly excited that the candidates to choose from are a woman and a person of color, and not the same old white men we have had to put up with every four years since Native Americans were the number one target of choice for their oppression (not that much has changed since then except expansion of their range). But, of course, we can't have this kind of election without the fact that the candidates will be thought of as representatives of these particular groups-- women and black people/people of color-- rather than as individuals who should be regarded as such. I do recognize that it is natural for this to occur, since this lineup is the first of its kind (sadly), and as with other new and unfamiliar things, people are quick to stereotype and compartmentalize. Also, it is very cool (and about time) that the two top contenders for a major party's nomination are a woman and a black man, and in some ways it should be recognized and celebrated. But really, we can't realistically think about this situation without considering the inherent discrimination involved.

This election has made me wonder if many will vote based on who they have fewer qualms about-- or against whom they discriminate less. Can they better stand the idea of a woman in charge of the United States, or a black man? Both would inherently challenge the status quo, at least representationally, and aesthetically. No doubt that the perspective of a non-white/non-man would be at least a little different than that of a white man-- unless you are Condoleezza Rice, and therefore insane. Of course, many people welcome this change in perspective, and truly will vote based on the candidates' ideas and past actions. But I do feel there is this pervading sense of identity politics that is more or less present but not addressed (not that it would be, since this would mean treading into some mighty deep and murky waters). Though I have reasons for not making Hillary Clinton my choice, her being a woman doesn't have much to do with it. When people talk smack about her for crying, I get really frustrated because they act like it's because she's a woman and therefore prone to insane emotional fluctuations, which means she can't be President because she's a human being and not a robot, as candidates are apparently expected to be. I personally think this means she is just more likely to act with compassion, which is something that we desperately need. And when people act skeptical of Barack Obama because they say he is "inexperienced," I can't help but think that they actually mean "black." Maybe they think he can't be taken seriously because they don't see many black people in politics; it's outside their realm of thinking. He doesn't fit the stereotype they have-- he's successful, but not a hip-hop artist or basketball player, so maybe this confuses them. Nobody would admit these things, but they exist. They're inherent. Different is uncomfortable to many people. But at this time in our history, different is exactly what we need. I just hope this means people vote with their heads and their hearts, and not with their eyes-- or their blindness.