There is no doubt this presidential election is going to be historic. I’ve never seen anything like it.
I’m very fascinated by the recent dialogue that has resurfaced concerning race and sex. For the first time in our history both racism and sexism have become front burner issues in a presidential campaign.
THIS ARTICLE takes an in depth look at how Obama’s color is affecting voters. THIS ARTICLE shares the McCain camp’s concerns about the female stereotypes.
Do you actually believe that on election day there will be people who believe in Obama’s platform that won’t vote from him because he’s African American? Do you think there will be people that will avoid the McCain/Palin ticket simply because it includes a female?
And I’ve got to wonder…which one is more damaging? Which belief or attitude will most affect voters?
Racism or sexism?
Both have hurt our nation. Both have hurt the church.
Your thoughts?
Racism and sexism is what will kill this election. Lies and stereotypes will kill this election; and this country. I am an African American woman. I wasn’t going to vote for Obama until I read his books. I believe he is a good decent man, who a lot of people are targeting, because he is different from the norm. He does fit the stereotypical mold for President of the United States. But when are we going to stop being stagnant, and judgemental and start really changing things for the better? When are we going to do what the Good Book says? We don’t have to agree, but we don’t have to slam one another because we look different.
I also believe we need to get God back into our social fabric. I grew up in a Pentacostal church and went to a Baptist private school, until we moved to Texas! When I started public school, I saw how they took God out. I still see it, and look where it has gotten us?
Sorry I didn’t mean to take up so much but I just had to say that!
Deep deep down in the core of my simple love for Christ approach to faith and my relationship with Him (When I was a child there was a poster on the sunday school class wall reading, rule #1, “praise the Lord and have fun.” I’ve pretty much, rightly or wrongly, accepted that as my truth and live there.), and my belief we are all prince and princesses of our King, I am forever baffled by the limitations, judgements and abuses we humans place on each other. I honestly don’t get it. The pain we cause each other. Yet, I do. The fall. The apple. Free will. My struggle has been not to get intimidated by the intellectual/theological arguments that have come on gone on these sort of topics, and to hold fast to my opening belief. I absolutely beleive a person of color and/or a woman are more than capable of running the country. Moses had a stutter – can’t imagine the crap he had to deal with, but he persevered. Even if I can’t keep up with retoric, I fully believe in my heart of hearts our Lord can do anything he wants with any of His children regardless of melanin or gender. I am a simple housewife, yet I know that I know that I know I am doing what God wants. And if he wanted me to be running the country, I would believe that I could do that too if he called me to do it. Whether you are a woman washing dishes or leading congress, it is all valuable in His eyes. Same with ethnicity. That’s my two cents.
Thanks for the opportunity to speak on this.
Bless you,
Roxanne
http://www.sharingnotes.blogspot.com
I wish we just all saw each other as part of the human race and nothing else.
I am praying God’s will in this election and voting my conscience. I have not been watching TV so I am ignorant of the smut throwing going on in the campaigns. It’s refreshing.
However, at a Bible study last night one woman insisted on talking about it. I shut down, tuned her out, and refused to comment. Opinions are like butts — everybody has one.
Heidi Reed
What is it. Talk about about everything but politics,religion,and her? I think you’ve covered all 3 here
Just made a post including you. Let me know if problem:
http://sharingnotes.blogspot.com/2008/09/quote-of-day.html
Blessnigs,
Roxanne
Why do you have a photo of Tina Fey next to Obama?
that is such a good question… personally, i think that both -isms need to be thrown out the window and we really need to focus on the issues that are facing our country and how to appease them.
it’s funny because last night my friends and i were discussing this whole election thing. i really think that what it should come down to is integrity and character of whom ever we elect. the amount of diplomacy, intelligence, and creativity during this campaign season is going to be what ultimate determines the majority of the vote–even more so now because of Bush.
i do think that there will still be some people who won’t vote for Palin because she’s a woman or won’t vote for Obama because he’s black, but at the end of the day, i think most people will vote for who’s going to get us out of this recession we’re in.
Off subject sorry, but talk about kids showing off. You have to watch the video Carlos has on his blog right now. The life share video. It is funny. H
you’re absolutely right pete.
both have (and continue to) hurt our churches.
November 4th will be an interesting day to say the least.
thanks for leading (with your eyes open).
My concern is more for the ones who WILL vote based on either prejudice without considering much more, because it shouldn’t be about skin color or sex. We have to look beyond that. And the churches should have figured that out a long, long time ago.
There will absolutely be racism and sexism on Election Day, as I’ve heard derogatory comments throughout this entire campaign. I heard an African American male state that he would not vote for Obama simply because of Obama’s full name. Another time, I heard a white male state that he would move to another country if Hillary is elected. Well, Hillary is definitely not going to be elected, but I wonder how that person feels about Palin? I’ve also heard some pretty harsh comments from females about Palin in the last few weeks. I just hope the next person coming in can help clean up the mess our country is in right now. By the way, does anyone know where I can get some unleaded gas?
My thoughts? Good grief! Alright, here goes.
I’m 56 years old. The first President I voted for was Nixon. Given the same choices, I’d do it again. But, you know what the shame in all this is? As long as I’ve been around, I’ve never seen an election turn so many fellow believers against each other.
This should not happen. None of this has caught God by surprise. He has written the final chapter from the foundations of the earth. Should we not participate in the process then? Of course we should, but don’t throw your brothers and sisters under the bus on the way to the polls.
We have a high responsibilty as Christians. It is to reflect Jesus in our lives. Some of the meanest most pointed verbal assaults I’ve heard recently have come from the keyboards of people who profess to walk in His footsteps.
Now, what would Jesus say about all this? I think I know. “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”
We bear the image of God, not of politics.
Do you actually believe that on election day there will be people who believe in Obama’s platform that won’t vote from him because he’s African American? Do you think there will be people that will avoid the McCain/Palin ticket simply because it includes a female?
And I’ve got to wonder…which one is more damaging? Which belief or attitude will most affect voters?
Yes, I do believe that people that believe in Obama’s platform will not vote for him. I believe that people will vote for Sarah Palin even if they do not believe in her campaign. I believe the issues of race are far stronger than the issues of gender in this election.
As a lesbian, a feminist, a believer in equal rights for all, I have been both surprised and amazed at the amount of bigotry coming from people who supposedly believe in the same things that I do. These people (mostly white) have been lining up to vote for Sarah Palin – even if doing so will cause negative consequences in their own lives. The reason. They can’t tolerate the idea of someone that is not white having that much power. Their made up excuses are as comforting as a knife stabbing you in the back. The hidden has risen to the surface and the truth is not pretty. But even though I see this ugliness, I see a lot of people who are also going to vote for the candidate that seems to want to better the lives of ALL Americans. I’m going to stand with them and put my faith in the idea that more people will succumb to their highest good. Thanks for your article.
Well I have a lot of thoughts on this one, but I will keep it as short as I can.
I think that Racism and Sexism are equally damaging, but Racism could potentially be more damaging as it is deeply rooted in hate. Sexism occurs at times because people are not hateful but misinformed on the role of a woman, and therefore they look at them as second rate to men, but I don’t think sexism is at all times rooted in hate as racism is.
I personally think that both the race card and the sexism card have been played by the democrats. It has been ridiculous some of the things they have said about Palin. One democrat government official (woman) just yesterday said that if Palin came to Manhattan her big black friends would gang rape her! Other things have been said that are just way out of bounds. Obama himself tried to create a race issue that was not there. I have heard very little opposition about Obama due to race.
I do think there are some people in America that may agree with Obama’s platform but would not vote for him due to his race, but I think that is a very small population, not enough to win or lose and election, however I disagree with the notion that has been going around that the only reason people would not vote for Obama is because he is black, that is absurd and ridiculous! I think however, it is just as ridiculous and damaging for people to vote for Obama just because he is black or to vote for Palin because she is a woman.
I think the liberal feminists have revealed themselves in this election and showed that they do not stand for women’s rights or for the advancement of women with some of their vile attacks against Palin. They are for liberal ideology versus the progression of women. They don’t have to agree or support Palin if they disagree with issues and policy, but their attacks have had very little to do with issue or policy, its been hate because of her conservative stances and values. Amazingly, Hillary Clinton has been the best at approaching Palin, she has not made one personal attack, but has said she differs on policy and ideas.
I think racism has had very little to do in affecting the election, but I have heard time and time again women who are being energized to support Palin due to the attacks levied against her, so I think sexism may play a larger role in this election than racism.
I’m glad you’re pointing out that racism and sexism are huge in this election, because they are. I’d like to propose that race and sex in this election run deeper than just refusing to vote for a candidate because of their respective race/sex; accepting a candidate like Sarah Palin is only possible in a context where white privilege works and where some women are more acceptable than others.
Racism and sexism have been huge in this election — even before November 4. There’s been and will be the explicit racism/sexism that you wrote about here. But I think it runs even deeper. The fact that Palin was put on the ticket to “get Hillary supporters” is blatantly sexist; assuming that women were supporting Hillary solely because she is a woman belittles those who chose to support Hillary because she really was a supporter of women’s issues – and happened to be a woman. Palin does not represent women’s issues (like autonomy over our own bodies and state protection in the face of sexual assault), and her womanhood does not automatically qualify her as a “feminist” candidate with women’s best interests at heart.
Furthermore, Palin’s marketability as a VP candidate is a product of racism and sexism as well. Check out Tim Wise’s “This is Your Nation on White Privilege,” (http://www.redroom.com/blog/tim-wise/this-your-nation-white-privilege) a well-written explanation of why Sarah Palin is acceptable in the face of many factors that would disqualify a candidate of color. Simply put, she would not be on McCain’s ticket if she were not benefiting from white privilege. Furthermore, Palin’s “hockey mom” status has been heavily pushed by the campaign as a sign of her eligibility for VP. The fact that voters are rallying behind her because she successfully embodies ideas about what it means to be a woman (feminine, family-oriented) means that she herself is benefiting from sexist structures (even as she is subject to attack through them). Clinton did not fit into these structures of what it means to be a woman, and was rejected as a result.
It’s great that people are perking up and taking notice that race and sex are still daily issues in our society. This election sure has brought that to the forefront. However, I hope this will be an opportunity for people to look even deeper about what it means to live in a society that very much functions based on systems of privilege like race and sex.
I believe they will both be pretty damaging to this election to be honest. It’s sad….really sad, that our nation would be so shallow minded as to allow this type of thinking to hinder what would be the best choice for our country.
Do you actually believe that on election day there will be people who believe in Obama’s platform that won’t vote from him because he’s African American? Do you think there will be people that will avoid the McCain/Palin ticket simply because it includes a female?
Yes, I do.
And I’ve got to wonder…which one is more damaging? Which belief or attitude will most affect voters?
Racism
I believe they will hurt the nation, but they seem to have especially hurt the church. I don’t ever recall a time when so many “christians” have been so devided (at least not in my lifetime…and I am 44).
well , im mexican, but here in mexico the last eleccions something happen in my life, i was sure that “lopez obrador” was the rigth man for this nation, i didnt choose him for his integrity, i choosed him just because he was “one of us” (not a rich).As a cristian i have to say that i was wrong , thanks God the decision wasnt in my hands at all. I didnt the opinion of neither towards the freedom of religion, nor the principles of.
When I saw my mistake was after the elections when listen to the president ‘pause’ sign to mention some Biblical verses in his speeches , and to be opposed to the abortion. I saw that it was the indicated one, with God’s dread in his heart.
I want to say to you that always is better not to leave ourselves to go for the offers of economic improvements if we are going to compromise our integrity as citizens of the God’s kingdom.
I will say I’ve been amazed at some things that have come up in conversations. A good female friend of mine said that although she would normally vote Republican is leaning toward the Democratic ticket because she just doesn’t know if foreign countries would respect a female enough and doesn’t want to have that make us look weak. I know people think that many will vote for Palin because she’s a woman and that many won’t vote for Obama because he’s black. But many I’ve spoken with have been the opposite. I just think it’s pitiful we still have to have the debate, and that it all stems from fear instead of empowerment. But when I look at the fact that the church I have grown up in (Catholic) is so afraid of women having any say or power, I can’t really be surprised that fear of the unknown still rules part of the world.
I saw the title of this post in google reader and thought “oh…he’s talking about obama v. palin”!
looking foward to see what happens…
Funny thing is, I’m excited that there is diversity in presidental race, but the problem I’m having is I like neither parties. Can Obama/Biden do the presidental role? sure. Can McCain/Palin do the presidental roles? sure,why not. Do i think any of the canidates have proven to be “Worthy” of the presidental nomination? NO!!!
It scares me just as much that someone will vote FOR one of the two because of their sex or race as it does that they might vote AGAINST one of them.
Good point Harold. I wonder how many people are going to vote for Obama simply because he is black? Or, how many people will support McCain just to see a woman VP? I bet more people than we would like to admit to ourselves. The issues aren’t important to them, or they don’t appear to be anyway.
It is sad to me that the evangelical church seems farther behind the culture in many ways addressing these issues.
I truly do think people will vote their internal beliefs so of course – in my opinion – people will vote “against” someone who’s race or gender they don’t accept as the leader of our country.
I will put out there that sexism can be rooted in bigotry and anger and hatred just as racism is. I have encountered it and while – the church – people cover it with a bible verse – the attitude can still be there. Both isms are so devastating to other people and to us as a community – especially in the church.
The church should be the place where we model the community of the Trinity as Jesus prayed, “that they would be one as we are one”.
By letting go of our prejudice – of any sort – we affirm the creation act of God Himself and say “it is good”.
Who Cares about Race and Gender, The most important thing is the capability.
1) I still find it incredible that most comparisons on blogs and media outlets are Palin vs. Obama…as I recall, Palin is the VP on the ticket, while Obama is the presidential candidate. That does not bode well for Obama.
2) As a young, middle class, Dutch-American boy growing up in Wisconsin I read a biography of Martin Luther King. I loved it and was inspired by it. In it I read about his “I Have a Dream” speech:
‘I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.’
Even as an 11-year old boy, that made sense to me. It still does. As a result, I try to judge others based on the CONTENT OF THEIR CHARACTER. People don’t get demerits or extra-credit for their skin-tone or gender. I am not going to vote for Obama and it has nothing to do with the fact that he is a black/white American. I am not voting for him, because he believes in and legislates from a liberal ideology. I am a conservative. Therefore, I will vote for the conservative ticket. That is also why I like Sara Palin…because she is conservative. If John McCain was black, he would get my vote…because of his ideology.
3) What I find to be the most racist and sexist aspects of all recent elections is that people expect ALL black people to vote for a black candidate and ALL women to vote for female candidates. No one should be expected to check their brain at the door and vote for a candidate simply because of skin tone or chromosome composition. ALL individuals should vote for candidates who espouse the ideology that he/she would want represented in government.
Hey Pete, I’m so honored to have you visit my blog, The Insomnia Chronicles, from time to time. So, I wanted to let you know that I have renamed and moved it to a new site: http://iChilly.com
I appreciate your digital-friendship!
Thanks! Have a great weekend!!
I do not believe that racism or sexism should play a part in the voting process, but I believe that it most definitely will. Living on a college campus right now conversations come up about this all the time. I have already heard several other students say they are going to vote for Obama just because they think it’s time for an African American to be President or for McCain so that a woman can be the VP. I believe it should not matter either way. It should be about where the candidate stands on issues and if they are capable of the job.
In Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech he even said, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” It shouldn’t be about race. It should be about character.
I also believe that even though there might be some very big factors in this election that there have not been in the past that a verse from Daniel still remains true. “…the Most High God is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and sets over them anyone he wishes.” I know this is old testament, but I still believe it is describing the character of God. I believe He is still in control over it all.
Sorry this was so long. I’ve become very interested in politics lately.
I blogged about this very topic on 09/05/08. Pretty much agree VZ and Stephanie. I think that it has and will open up the minds of many Americans who would have thought they would think otherwise. In other words, some people will be humbled by the intellect, tenacity, and confidence of the candidates (this will be historic in its own right); yet this will create even further contempt in others. What does it say about the content of one’s character if he doesn’t himself vote for a candidate based on the same?
A candidate elected based on color or gender alone might just produce the opposite of the intended effect. If he or she would turn out to be a ‘lame duck,’ no one’s going to be ready to repeat a mistake in history come 4 years from now. Objectively weigh the sides, make a decision, and vote with integrity or this won’t be an issue again for decades to come.
On a separate note, Jesus was not a community organizer by any means. He is a world changer; He is the true reformer and our hope rests in Him and Him alone. Hail to the Chief!
What will decide this election for most Americans who vote? Sadly, self interest. Race–perhaps for some. Gender–again some. Should it? Perhaps it should. Not in the sense of I will never vote for a woman or I will never vote for an African-American, which is just hate wearing a mask. But maybe in the sense of an African-American has a unique perspective on life, culture, problems, etc. that we have not experienced the benefit of having or a woman brings something new to the table, maybe we should give that other way of seeing a chance. Of course there are undoubtedly stands the candidates take on certain issues or even the priority of the issues that will be important to most people and they will vote accordingly.
What I find is ironic is that character is no longer a criteria for a political position. It has more to do with “if” the person speaks well, if they look good…and now you pose yet another question of race or the sex of the candidate. I think to look at the person as a “whole”…in and of the word or idea of character means alot. If the person is a lier and a cheater would be HUGE for me!!! Enough said…..
I think most people will vote based on their conservative or liberal ideologies. Most of the drum beating I’m hearing is from ardent conservatives and liberals and both of the candidates appeal to the core right and left: one is very conservative and the other is very liberal. Sadly, there will be some who withhold their vote based on race but I believe they will be a minority of voters. I don’t the gender of the VP candidate is as much of an issue.
As to which one is more damaging to our country and the election process, definately racism. I don’t think sexism can really be tackled until we break-through some of the racial walls that still exist in this country. I would love to see the church take the lead in that process but sadly, the most segregated 3 hours in the country are Sundays from 9-noon. I’d love to see a white church and a black church conduct a ‘busing’ experiment where they ship 1/2 of their congregations to each others churches for a month, or commit to have inter-racial activities once a month – anything to show their community that in body of Christ, the color of one’s skin does not stand in the way of universal fellowship.
I can’t help but think that racism has a lot to do with all the anti Obama spam I get every day. I honestly can’t believe it still is a factor in today’s world. I guarantee, unless Obama is up in the polls by 15, he’ll lose. There was a lot of “sure, I”d vote for a black candidate” that wasn’t reflected in the numbers during the primary.
ALthough I think Sarah Palin was an awful choice, purely from an experience standpoint and given McCain’s advanced age- as a woman, I thought I was immune to any gender bias.
I have to admit, when I heard she had all those kids, including a special needs infant I thought, “How can she possibly handle being VP or possibly president?” I had to take a step back and wonder if I would have thought of it, had she been the Dad instead of the Mom.
When will it end?
As far as gender bias. Although there have been very successful female leaders worldwide, I think the chances of a woman being elected president during wartime is VERY SLIM.
I believe racial bias will be close to over within the next generation. There are so many culturally blended families and communities. Classrooms are filled with kids from all over the world. I love seeing kids walking home from school in groups that reflect all the wonderful creations God made in his image.
Looking at the reactions to their speeches, Race and Sex will play a role in how a person votes. It would be Ideal if it didnt but reality is such. Ideally, the people of a country should accept(not tolerate) diversity amongst its communities but it isnt so. Most countries of our world are divide along religious, political, ethnic lines and US is no different only the semantic is different(its class, race, political ideology and gender). It wont change anytime soon. The media only adds fuel to that fire. I wish they’d save their opinions and just report events, thats what journalism is about originally, reporting all that is, the good the bad and the ugly not an analysis of the event.
Yes, there will be people who won’t vote for Obama/Biden because of Obama’s skin color. There will also be people who won’t vote for McCain/Palin because of Palin’s sex.
I do not, however, believe they are the only reasons. Some people won’t do it because of ideology. Others won’t do it because of religious beliefs.
In regards to those reasons, I end my reply with these three questions below:
1. Is it even a Christian duty to participate in the political process?
2. Are people more or less Christian if they’re proponents or opponents of particular political beliefs?
3. Why or why not?
I believe we are in a leadership void in this country. Unfortunately, our choices are bleak. Leadership and character are drown out with the incredible pressure to raise enormous sums of money and to campaign with a negative message. Either way I feel a sense of loss resurface each election cycle. People are not perfect and our process dramatically reminds us that. It is so hypocritical I want to scream, stop it!
Check out my post today http://brianshaw.wordpress.com/2008/09/21/i-will-not-be-silenced/.
Would appreciate another Christian perspective on the subject. Thanks a bunch!
I agree with Nate VZ on the comparison of Obama v. Palin. Never have I seen it being so portrayed a Prez candidate v a VP candidate before this race.
But to answer your question Pete….I think racism will play a bigger role in the election. I think this is due to Obama being the Prez candidate and Palin being VP. Most don’t worry too much about the VP. Yes, while if something happens to McCain then she would be running the country, how often does it really happen?
It does sadden me that in our modern times we still cannot get past either racism or sexism in any arena.
True. Racism and sexism are an important issue, but the bigger issue is their moral compass. Which one believes it ok to kill babies? Why even bother with sexism, racism, economy, ability, etc. if you are going to vote against Pro-Life?
Pete,
What amazes me more than either of these situations is how people do not educated themsleves on the candidates. They vote for one of those reasons (race/sex) without understanding the candidate and where they stand on important issues.
It frustrates me that we have become a society of entitlement and not action. We look for who will give us the most instead of who will create the most opportuntity for us. We expect our government to take care of us instead of look out for us.
Here is my message to both candidates this election. I respect either who get elected because it is not something I would wish to do. But….please heed this message. You will be elected by the people for the people…and if the nonsense continues..you will be replaced. It is not going to be based on race or sex…but based on who is the most qualified to lead. If you don’t lead in a manor that is for the people, I will push my hardest in my own little world to replace you until the message reaches Washinton.
Wow, what a soap box!
They will totally come into play and I believe both will unfortunately be alive and kicking on election day, on both sides of both of these unusual candidates. It’s sexist and racist to refuse to vote for someone that you otherwise would support because of his or her sex or skin color. AND it’s sexist and racist to expect people of the same sex or skin color to automatically rally around that candidate and support them. Both of these issues are still very important and damaging, since we can’t seem to move past them and look at people just as people, and anyone who supports or opposes any candidate because of race or sex is only letting the hate sink in deeper.
Yes, sadly, there are persons who agree with Obama’s platform but will not vote for him simply because of his race. An earlier post said that Obama tried to create an issue of race that was not there. Excuse me?? What planet does he live on? Racism is always lurking around somewhere. I’m amazed at people who try so quickly to dismiss racism and are not forced to be acquainted with it on a regular basis.
The truth is that the liberal, loud east and west coasts of the USA do not decide elections – that big chuck of land between the coasts does. And, while nobody wants to say it, I think that big chunk of land between the coasts is not ready to elect an African American man president. I think if we’re honest, we all know this…
But the reason Obama won’t win isn’t because he’s black – it’s because he’s inexperienced, has no track record on big issues, and hasn’t laid out specific policies on anything!
To be blunt, Sarah Palin is joke of a VP candidate as well. Any objective person knows she’s not ready to be VP or, in the event of something happening to Big Mac, president.
But man is this election entertaining! Compared to “W” vs Gore/Kerry, this is a BILLION times more interesting!