We are at an unprecedented time in our nation’s history. The two potential democratic candidates for president are both minorities. There has been some debate among people of all races as to whether or not having a black presidential candidate squashes the racial debate. Additionally some have inquired as to whether or not having a female president will mean that woman’s rights activist can put down their picket signs. Many people feel that Democratic Candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are proof that America has come a long way in terms of gender and race relations. Some have even minimized the severity of racism and sexism in this country.
Is Barack Obama’s and Hillary Clinton’s nomination a sign of progress? Although a sign of forward thinking and a desire for change on the part of a nation has motivated people to the polls one cannot take this to mean that gender and racial disparity is non-existent. If one looks at the recent statistics in the Philadelphia Inquirer on racial disparity in our area, one can see that we have not come as far as we would like to think.
The comments by Governor Rendell about the likelihood of Barack Obama winning the Pennsylvania Primary help to reveal the mind-frame of many white conservatives in our state. "You've got conservative whites here, and I think there are some whites who are probably not ready to vote for an African-American candidate," Rendell told the editorial board of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in remarks that appeared in last Tuesday's paper.
The wage gap among men and women in this country shows that there is still a need for more dialogue. There is still a large disparity between male and female salaries and opportunities. According to the Boston Globe, a female high school graduate will make about $700,000 less in her lifetime than her male counterpart. A college graduate will make $1.2 million less than her male counterpart will.
While we could possibly elect the country’s first female president, men and women are still not equal in the boardroom.
When one looks at the statistics on poverty and education among minorities in this country, it is easy to see that systematic racism still exists. Although the nomination of a black presidential candidate would be an outstanding moment in black history, we should not take this to mean that there still isn’t a need for change. Nor does the nomination of a female candidate suggest that progress isn’t needed in terms of women’s rights.
I am curious to see how the nomination of either candidate will affect the inequalities in our nation. However, as it stands now, we have a long way to go.
Is Barack Obama’s and Hillary Clinton’s nomination a sign of progress? Although a sign of forward thinking and a desire for change on the part of a nation has motivated people to the polls one cannot take this to mean that gender and racial disparity is non-existent. If one looks at the recent statistics in the Philadelphia Inquirer on racial disparity in our area, one can see that we have not come as far as we would like to think.
The comments by Governor Rendell about the likelihood of Barack Obama winning the Pennsylvania Primary help to reveal the mind-frame of many white conservatives in our state. "You've got conservative whites here, and I think there are some whites who are probably not ready to vote for an African-American candidate," Rendell told the editorial board of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in remarks that appeared in last Tuesday's paper.
The wage gap among men and women in this country shows that there is still a need for more dialogue. There is still a large disparity between male and female salaries and opportunities. According to the Boston Globe, a female high school graduate will make about $700,000 less in her lifetime than her male counterpart. A college graduate will make $1.2 million less than her male counterpart will.
While we could possibly elect the country’s first female president, men and women are still not equal in the boardroom.
When one looks at the statistics on poverty and education among minorities in this country, it is easy to see that systematic racism still exists. Although the nomination of a black presidential candidate would be an outstanding moment in black history, we should not take this to mean that there still isn’t a need for change. Nor does the nomination of a female candidate suggest that progress isn’t needed in terms of women’s rights.
I am curious to see how the nomination of either candidate will affect the inequalities in our nation. However, as it stands now, we have a long way to go.
