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May 07, 2008
negative attitude
While at the gym this evening I had a negative thought that if Barack becomes president, something will happen during his administration that will make it so that he's only in office for four years and that in 2012 we'll be back to: old, white males running for president. We're all talking about how historical this race is due to the gender and ethnicity of the two democratic nominees. Yet this will be forgotten come 2012. Bleah.
Posted by jennj at May 7, 2008 09:04 PM
Clue-ments:
Just because someone is an "old white male" doesn't mean they are incompetent. When the term is thrown around like that it makes it seam like all white men are basically incompetent fucks who can't do anything right. I understand that historically white men have lead a privileged life, but that does not mean that there are not competent white men.
I know for many of the liberals on this blog that may seam like a radical concept since the prevailing attitude is that we are responsible for all that is wrong with the world and if there were no white men everything would be fine.
Posted by: mess at May 8, 2008 08:41 PM
mess - I didn't say anyone was competent or incompetent. Competency can occur or not occur in anyone, regardless of gender or race. Not my point.
Historically and _today_, old, white males have a disproportionate amount of money and power in this country. Just take a look at the CEO's of the Fortune 500, Top 100 richest in America, # in the House, # in the Senate, heads of PAC's, etc. When you look at those numbers you will not see a representation of the general populace. For example, there are more women than men in America. Do you see that majority reflected in _any_ of the items I listed above? No.
My point is that it is nice to see candidates representative of _all of us_. The fact that we're finally at least seeing an african american and a woman as a top nominee for _President_ is refreshing. But will be completely forgotten come 2012.
Posted by: cf at May 9, 2008 03:39 PM
True, you did not, but the tone of statements like that clearly indicate that "old white males" are a problem. That starts with the "old". Bill Clinton 46 when he became president. Do you consider that "old"? How about Kennedy who was 43?
As for candidates who represent all of us, what is more important to representing all of us, racial and gender demographics or thoughts, ideas and positions? By your logic, you are represented by Hillary and I am by McCain. Do you really feel Hillary represents you?
Posted by: mess at May 11, 2008 10:22 AM
mess - some great points but I think I need to explore this with you in person.
And Hillary does not represent me when it comes to ideas.
Posted by: cf at May 12, 2008 02:05 PM
And McCain does not represent me. My only point is the race and gender of the candidates is far less important than what they stand for. By that metric, we do have some diversity in the current field.
Posted by: mess at May 14, 2008 08:55 AM