Racism, sexism and an Obama-Hillary ticket

[shomino]

Although I disagree with Hillary on many points, I agree with her on far more than many politicians. I also think she could do a lot of good for the country in the future, but in what capacity do you think she could make the greatest impact? I personally think Senate Majority leader would be the answer. The reason I am concerned about her taking the VP spot is not because she is not capable, which she most definitely is. It is also not because of any perceived rift between her and Obama, which I think is more among their supporters than Obama and Clinton themselves.

To be brutally honest the reason Hillary taking the VP spot would not strengthen the ticket is because of prejudice, sexism and racism in the U.S.. Sexism and racism run a lot deeper than the KKK or attempts to overturn Roe v. Wade, they are an endemic problem in our society that often runs just under the surface. They are an undertow, an undercurrent in the subconscious of more people than we may like to admit. All of us, even the most racially tolerant and believers in equality for women and men still have some of the prejudices of society and culture lingering in our subconscious. Often the difference between someone who is overtly sexist or racist and those who are not is a self-assessment and willingness to re-examine one's own behavior. It is not that the elements of sexism and racism are not there, it is simply that the person is conscious of them and willing to work to overcome them. This brings me to a statement that I regret to have to make, but I feel I must to be completely honest.

The United States may not be ready for an african-american and a woman on the same ticket. I truly wish this were not the case, but it may unfortunately be true. I work for a construction union (sorry not comfortable with naming it yet) and I know that bigotry still pervades among those who Hillary and Obama are working so hard for, the working class. Many of these union members won't vote for someone based solely on their race or gender. It's an unfortunate truth, but a truth nonetheless.

If Hillary does indeed become the candidate I would feel the same way about Obama, I don't think he would be her best choice for VP. Once again this is not because he is not capable, but because of the prejudices and fears of many American white males. Somewhere deep down, American white males fear retribution from those who have suffered for so long at their hands, african-americans and women. The VP candidate would have to be a white male in order to allay these fears somewhat, to show that white males will still have some sort of seat at the political table. This would be necessary because white males do still hold so much power in American society. White males would be afraid of an african-american and woman ticket visiting some sort of civil retribution upon them, a turning of the tables if you will. Oppressors have a fear of their own tactics being visited upon them, perhaps not entirely well-founded but definitely visceral. Just as the KKK was supposedly formed because of a fear of "backlash" from blacks, so would white males of America be afraid of a "backlash" from an african-american and a woman on the same ticket.

The American people are definitely ready for a change in direction, but I think that our idealism for the future must be tempered with a realism and an honest assessment of the way things really are, and who the electorate really is. There are still a lot of bigoted, prejudiced white males who hold much of the power in American society. Although I would dare say there are many more of them who are Republicans, they still exist among the Democrats. This is an unfortunate reality we must face as we move forward towards the general election.

[JKaiser]

1. I think Obama needs to pick a white male..

[leftofcool]

2. Obama will probably pick a male, naturally

[lumberjack_jeff]

3. As senate majority leader

She could bring a universal universal health care bill to the president.