Should race, ethnicity or gender really matter when you vote? Do you really care?18:55 Nov 08 2008
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Should race, ethnicity or gender really matter when you vote? Do you really care?
Personally I believe that race, ethnicity or gender should not carry such weight concerning vital decisions that impact upon an entire nation, but unfortunately the reality is, that it does. I don’t believe that it’s always “the best person who gets the job” particularly were politics are concerned. I only have to look at the majority of Clowns who are supposed to represent me as a Northern Irish citizen to realize that statement is untrue.
Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s a wonderful notion to think that today’s society has progressed to the point were gender and race is no longer a deciding factor. Unfortunately I’m clued in enough to realize that this is a “romantic” idea and these factors will continue to raise their ugly heads even throughout my lifetime here on earth.
To those of us who are not from African descent the topic of race may well be boring and monotonous to the point were people may feel like saying “Oh would you ever get over it?” Personally I think that’s a flippant attitude because for those who are part of that community, it’s hard to get over it and move on, because race has often been the primary motivator that has prevented them from doing so.
It is only when we personally have had first hand experience of being part of a minority group or a group that has not enjoyed equal opportunities, that we can begin to appreciate the extent and enormity of what race truly means to them. For the millions of African Americans who actually turned out to vote for Obama, they see this as a momentous occasion and rightfully so.
Regardless of motive or the fact that their choice may have been uneducated or uninformed, their vote is as valid as anyone’s and that needs to be respected too. I’d put money on the fact that thousands of Americans voted Bush simply because voting “Republican” was part and parcel of their lineage. Who questions those votes? Surly those votes helped Bush on his way to becoming elected the first and second time around. Should those who voted be accountable for their choices too? Surly electing Bush once highlighted his inability to rise to the occasion. Where were the educated and informed voters the second time around?
I too have been guilty of voting “tactically” just so my vote contributed to a power sharing government in Northern Ireland even though this was much to my mother’s dismay because the party I voted were often frowned upon and one that I would normally not even vote. However, at that moment in time their electoral success enabled a power sharing government that provided the minority group that I am labeled under, an equal voice and representation to air those views, as they too have a right to be heard. Sometimes we just “gotta do what we gotta do” without any intellectual reasoning behind it and that’s a good enough reason for me too at times.
I believe that it’s not good enough that we accept our beliefs to be true because they were handed down to us with such love, care and good intentions from our parents and grandparents before them. We need to challenge these views and not accept them as “gospel” because they aren’t. Time and tide waits for no man, society continues to evolve and we need to evolve also. We need to acknowledge that being “white” does not necessarily mean it’s not our problem that others are treated unequally. If and when we do, we merely become part of the perpetuating problem. Race is something that should be on every agenda and something that we should all reflect upon because we are all part of a “race”. It’s not enough to think “thank god I’m white”
Race, ethnicity and gender as issues are not going anywhere and nor should they. They should be at the forefront of everyone’s mind as these issues have contributed to so much misery throughout the world. The more these issues are discussed, the more chance there is of people understanding them as opposed to shying away, as we so often like to do. I say “Bring it on” and bring on Obama who appears to have a “real” social conscious that is inclusive to all. I think it would have been interesting to see how Obama would have dealt with Hurricane Katrina or even the “War on Terror” when it first emerged.
Obama now faces many economic and political challenges in his forthcoming administration, because now he has to clean up the mess that the previous Clown and his entourage left behind. All power to him, because I doubt anyone could have done a worse job than that other idiot that Americans continued to re-elect. His actions managed to ripple throughout the world and impacted upon us all.
I hope to God that I’m alive to see the first Black Lesbian being elected; it’s only then that we can put our hands on our hearts and truly say that these issues really don’t matter ;)
COMMENTS
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meeper
00:36 Nov 18 2008
Change will not come swiftly, but I do have faith that he will do what he can to turn this country around.
As to voting patterns- people are entirely silly. Sure they vote race and gender, but they also tend to vote for the more attractive candidate. Tall people have a greater chance of being elected as well. If you wear fashionable cloths, you're in a better lime light as well. Issues are important but if you’re perceived as a bore- good luck.