Why didn't you vote for her?

Pride and Prejudice

In 2008, history was made when we elected a black man President of the United States.  Given the years of slavery, the Jim Crow laws and other institutional obstacles that plagued the black community, President Obama’s triumph marked incredible progress and change.  However, I’m not sure that we as a country have made as much progress as we think.  Because of all of the major candidates for President in 2008, the person with the least chance of winning wasn’t Barack Obama.

It was Hillary Clinton.

What was lost during that campaign season was the blatant sexism that Hillary faced.  She and her male counterparts had to deal with different levels of criticism. Only Hillary was questioned if she would be “strong” enough to handle foreign leaders.  (Translation: women are weaker than men.)  She was also the only candidate who had to constantly assure the public that her spouse wouldn’t secretly be in charge.  Other disparaging comments went through with little resistance or media coverage. On the other hand, the slightest reference to race became an instant firestorm.  The truth is that there has never been a need to feel guilty about putting limitations on a woman.

But its not just women who would have a hard time getting elected.  You have no chance at the White House if you are gay.  Chances are just as slim if you aren’t married.  The majority of Americans will not vote for you if your family is from China.  And even though there is a separation of church and state, our next President will not be an atheist, Jewish and above all else – Muslim.

The problem is, we all believe that our own principles are best and anything that is different equates with being less than.  So if you feel that as a parent you have a better sense of family values, you will assume that someone without children can’t relate.  Everyone is guilty of this.  Even though many of my friends are Muslim, I can’t think about a President Muhammad without reservation and that fact shames me.

In order to achieve real progress, we all have to acknowledge our deepest-rooted prejudices and work on improving them.  Although I had my issues with Hillary as a candidate, I’m not sure if some of those reasons weren’t public veils to cover up a subconscious bias.  I realize that I can’t ask people to look past my skin color and accept glass ceilings being placed on others.  Our government is one of the people, by the people and for the people.

In order for that to work, "people" cannot be a debatable term.