Deluded We Stand On Race And Gender

Among our weak points as Americans is a tendency to believe major issues are "done and dusted" long before we have even scratched the surface of their resolution. The French, for example, recognize more than we "plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose" (the more things change, the more they remain the same). This election season has revealed that despite such signs of progress as the early twentieth century successful push for the female vote and many years later the Women's Rights Movement, despite the American Civil War during which 600,000 soldiers died, the Civil Rights Movement and The Civil Rights Act of 1964, problems of gender and race bias have not been sufficiently addressed or resolved.

Sure, progress has been made. But why don't we have even 30% women and minorities in the House and Senate? Why wouldn't we insist upon it? Why would we continue to be satisfied with a small number of women wearing bright suits in order to be evident at the helm of our government? And why would we accept the dearth of minority representation in those esteemed halls? Are we so easily satisfied? So confident we've done what's needed and all subsequent lack of progress is the fault of women and minorities?

It might help to look at whether we've ever as a country been truly serious about equal rights and equal appreciation. I happen to be reading Betty Friedan's memoir, Life So Far. Betty and I taught together, became friends and worked together for several years. But I did not recall until recently reading her reflections on the past how Title VII got into the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Believe it or not, it started as a joke.

Congressman Howard Smith, and avid segregationist from Virginia, had tried a last-minute tactic to kill the (Civil Rights) bill by proposing the additions of sex discrimination - as a joke. The House almost had to be recessed in the hysterical laughter that followed. But (Martha) Griffiths and a few other women in Congress swore to make those men stop laughing: they demanded a roll call vote in the House. In the Senate, Margaret Chase Smith of Maine, the only woman senator, demanded the same of Everett Dirksen, the minority leader. Though nobody took the women's vote seriously yet, some sound instinct told those male congressional leaders that they better not be counted in a roll call vote against the ladies, so the "joke" stayed in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The primary reason why hateful attacks on Hillary Clinton from her pantsuits to her cleavage even resonated is because as a nation we are far more immature than we realize, incapable it seems of realizing what a cultural change requires. The only reason why Michelle Obama's opinions must be stifled and Barack Obama must be berated for expressing the obvious - he is different than the presidents past who appear on one and five dollar bills - is that we are far from done with the women's or civil rights movement in this country. Attacks on John McCain's age are no less abhorrent as they reveal our love affair with youth and immature disdain for the benefits of acquired wisdom.

Bias festers beneath a surface sporadic civility in America that we have all seen break down under pressure of the current election cycle.

What do we do? We could start by being more honest with ourselves. No one exists without bias - not even intellectuals who often think they're exempt. Being bright or highly educated doesn't render anyone free of bias though some forms of education certainly open minds and quell dogmatism. Fortunately, many people struggle to overcome their own destructive biases. But even for such people, assumptions about others guide daily life. Most are not harmful even if they are distorted. But to act as if we have somehow conquered those that are, the ones that threaten our unity and value as a culture, is to deceive ourselves.

If Betty were next to me right now, she might well be pacing the room, frowning, loudly demanding that I cease to imply that the paradigm shift of gender equality was never completed - that the revolution for gender and race equality are stalled and the side in favor is still threatened. Perhaps, as was her way, she might settle down and begin to explore whether indeed all she worked for was being undermined mostly because we became complacent too soon.

People cannot function without assumptions. And prejudice will never be eradicated. In place of petty discussions about gender and race cards, we need constructive public debate and discussion about why prejudices still infiltrate our culture all the way up to the government.

We need a goalpost for our culture in terms of appreciation of differences. We need a higher standard of excellence and both the will and a way forward to reach it.

We can't rely for help on segments of the mass media that revel in their "all star" and "crack" analysts who supposedly alter history with the slick turn of a phrase. This is a larger task requiring far less hubris, serious introspection, soul-searching, and far more commitment to balance and truth (to the extent we can know it).

We need long overdue debates between two courageous presidential candidates and on the floors of the House and Senate. In any case, we need to dig deep to unearth self-deception that denies the prevalence of prejudice and to grapple with its ugliness in public until the facetious beast is truly spent.

Dr. Reardon also blogs at bardscove

Comments

[phree]

As long as we live in an extremely competitive society we will also have to live with unethical stereotyping and racism. The Repugs have done an excellent job of making the American worker fear those he/she should be unionizing and organizing with. Racism and sexism are excellent ways to divide and conquer an uneducated populace. Our high schools are day care centers for tall kids and our children graduate functionally illiterate on a global scale. Is it any wonder they cannot think beyond racism and sexism.

In short, until you fix education (which does not seem likely), people will be easily swayed by propaganda and misconceptions about the other.

[BlueOnBlue]

I suggest that bringing up John McCain's age is not as abhorrent as attacks on gender and race. In fact, his age is a significant factor for voters to consider. What other major organization would select a 72-year-old chief executive officer without serious consideration of his age?

The average life expectancy for a white American male is only 76. Beyond that, he has not had an easy life physically and has already been treated for cancer.

Then, there are the increasingly obvious gaffes and memory lapses he shows. Nobody pointed to such incidents in his earlier life, so these may well be signs of his age.

It's an issue.

[Bulbul]

Oh why ?
Yes, we look down at all the third world countries, but on one aspect , they are way ahead than us. Why was Senetor Clinton, treated in such a way? Pant suits , is not the reason, it is being a woman. That media have behaved in a shameful manner, is not saying enough . Some of them says , we want a woman but not that one. Who are we kidding now , we are not ready to have a woman as a President. We were given a chance to have the best of all and let`s face it...
We blew it ..

[Bitsko]

In other words, the vast majority of people in this country just plain bite. Big time biters, we. Relax, and listen to some Frank Zappa.

[army193]

I think we forget that we just had a historical primary in that we had a Latino,Wom­en,African American running for the Presidential race...Women felt that Hilary could do the job and African Americans felt Obama could do the job...Latino thought Richardson could do the job...There was going to be just one that would receive the nomination...Now it time to elect Senator Obama as our next president our country has to much to lose if John McCain should get the Presidency­....War-En­ergy-Equal rights-Supreme Court-Envi­ronment-Ta­xes, just to name a few...It is ours to move forward or move backward.

I from the 4th District in Washington and we have no females running, but in our 8th District we have a great women in Darcy Burner as a true progressive in the Democratic party. I unable to vote for her but I have donated. http://www.darcyburner.com/

[Intelligentia]

Just a thought: All these people who are talking about Hillary Clinton and 2012, are you saying that when Obama becomes president he is only restricted to one term? I suggest that you stop whatever you people are smoking. If Obama does a good job (I am certain he would), anyone thinking about the presidency better be calculating from 2016. I just thought it necessary to put this out there.

[Bulbul]

Correction, if Obama becomes the President...Let`s not get so much ahead.

[IronMikeKaty]

I think the whole "I don't look like the presidents on the money" was a cheap trip by Barack (or his campaign). Does Hillary look like Lincoln or Washington? Does McCain look like Lincoln or Washington? What was Barack's point? In fact if anyone looked like Lincoln it was Barack who happens to be half white also. Kathleen , I do agree with some of your points but most Americans will eventually make their decision based on what the candidate says he/her will do. I think the media is responsible for the blatant discrimination and for bring up these biases.

How many times has McCain's age been discussed? How many times has his wife's appearance (and money) been discussed? Yes, Hillary's pantsuits were discussed. A skinny Barack is being discussed. Huckabee's weight was discussed. Just look at the media on the alphabet networks. Look at shows like the View. I could never watch that show because of Whoppi. Yes, even though I'm educated, I have my bias, I hate ugly, know it all people, male or female. And Whoppi is ugly! There is no denying that!

[djelimon]

"Does Hillary look like Lincoln or Washington? Does McCain look like Lincoln or Washington? "

More than Hillary or Barack does. And you don't think the Right was attacking Hillary for being a woman? Nutcracker dolls anyone?

[RedKnuckles]

...or attacking 0bama for being black? Sockmonkeys anyone?

[Intelligentia]

Obviously, you are one of those who make assumptions without understanding the issue. Obama did not make the statement out of a vacuum. McCain actually printed Obama on a dollar bill and juxtaposed it with our current dollar bill, as a subliminal message of saying, we need to keep the presidency to Whites only. If you will spend some time researching the issue, this should have been apparent to you! In fact, the dollar Bill Ad is on 'huffingto­npost.com'­. Look it up!

[mjc]

But, Intelligentia, Obama himself has referred to that bit at least three times and he was not criticizing McCain. He wanted to make the point that the GOP was trying to scare Americans.

[debwarot]

Sorry, IronMikeKaty, but you are WRONG!

Obama did not bring this up. The 'cheap trick' you are complaining about was committed by none other than John McCain. He ran an ad on June 27, 2008 (more than a month ago!) in which he placed Obama's face onto the dollar bill (among other things) just to remind all of America that he looks a bit different than the white males who have been running the country since its inception. For a look at this ad: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDTJDv4hevU

I also hope that most Americans will eventually make their decision based on what the candidates say and do. But in order for that to happen, there has to be some truth in what the MSM spoon feeds to America. The MSM has chosen to let McCain continue to lie and distort the truth. Just one example (after all, I am limited to 250 words): McCain has run an ad saying Obama is responsible for the high gas prices - we all know this is a blatant lie but the MSM continues to accept this lie of an ad and (tah-dah!) the ad revenue.

Sorry to hear that you hate ugly. Me, I kinda feel that ugly actions are far worse than an ugly appearance. LiKe you, I also really don't like know it all people. You know......­......like someone who states that Obama is pulling some cheap trick without really knowing all the facts..

[N31ffdy]

I agree. Today, these issues are discussed here daily, and not on the mass political stage. But can rights be won from discussions in blogs? I think not. When will real changes be made?

[Bitsko]

The average American wouldn't know a blog if it them across the head. Much too much is made of them.

[whatsthatsound]

blogs, or average Americans?

[UNCLEJOE]

The 18 million who voted for Hillary were able to raise only $20,000 to help Hillary pay off her $20 million campaign deficit. In view of these 18 million Hillary supporters with only $20,000 in donations to help beleaguered Hillary, it's logical that there is something incongruous with 18 million suporters with only $20,000 in supportive donations to pay off Hillary's $20 million dollar campaign dept. It would take less than a two dollar bill in donations for 18 million Hillary supprters to pay off her $20 million dept.

I would have to question whether these 18 million Hillary supporters were Democrats or Russ Limbo's Cross-over Republicans organized to defeat Obama.

[BigBen]

I am one of those 18 million who supported Hillary. I contributed roughly $300 to her campaign. I have no more to contribute.Now I must support Obama even if he will not be elected. I believe both she and Bill will be able to retire her debt when she is president in 2012.

[Trollstakeyourmeds]

I love your way of thinking!!!

[JC1c1]

No President Obama will still be serving then, she must wait a full 8 years, then she can be President Clinton.

[Intelligentia]

Very presumptions of you. Do you really believe that if Obama won, he will be a one term president? I think you meant 2016! By the way, Hillary Clinton does not have the nomination locked up. There are other more or equally qualified women who can be nominated (in 2016).

[Bitsko]

Of course you support your candidate even if they might not get elected! Duh!

[GrainOSand]

Word!

[memphispaul]

Living in Marsha Blackburn's TN-7 district I can say that the common belief in this district is that there are no problems of gender or racial equality in America. According to the common wisdom voiced here, Barack Obama & hillary Clinton put these concepts to rest.
i happen to disagree, and strongly. However, it appears from my purely local perspective in red state America that the laughter is still echoing today in much of America.

[wagadog]

"the common belief in this district is that there are no problems of gender or racial equality in America."

True -- it's not so surprising when white men hold these beliefs. They just haven't experienced it from the other side. What I find more disturbing thing is when these beliefs are held by the very people that are the objects -- and have been objects of bias for so long, that they've subconsciously come to accept those biases as true.

For example, in a debate on women in science, I heard from female scientists some nonsense about women being "differently abled" scientifically ... when all of the scientific evidence indicates that we are not.

Even where slight differences have been measured in backwards countries where girls and boys are educated very differently -- they're statistically insignificant. First of all, when these "differently abled" hypotheses are examined with any great scrutiny, they're found to be statistically insignificant and closely correlated with inequality in education (surprise!). However, these differences are highlighted by the press and reported and re-reported in the main stream media until even the victims themselves believe them to be true.

[JohnFromColorado]

"Sure, progress has been made. But why don't we have even 30% women and minorities in the House and Senate? Why wouldn't we insist upon it?"

I am not sure what Dr. Reardon is meaning from the "we insist" on it. Who is the we and how do we insist. The bottom line is our country has voted in the members in the House and Senate. It is a reflection of the system that elected them and the people who voted for them.

It is democracy as practiced in the United States. It is a reflection of the culture we live in. I would believe more and more it will reflect a more diverse population. But a cultural change is a slow process. The state level politics in some states will lead the way. However, some regions will always lag behind. My wife grue up in rural Tennessee. Her cousin, a woman, said she did not see the men around here ever voting for a woman.

I am sorry that the culture is slow in change. The change occur when people from minorities and women take more and more leadership positions. Barack Obama is one who will move forward this slow change.

[texanna]

"We" is us, the electorate. The way you insist on it is to get involved in the political parties instead of just voting every two years. Go to your precinct meetings, become a delegate to the state conventions where the slate of candidates is developed. Of course, that would take some of your time and energy, but that is the responsibility you bear for the privileges you get as a citizen of this country.

[UnknownSoldier]

Age does not determine wisdom

[genia]

When I think about what is wrong with the country I live in today......what has been written above just isn't that important. I don't think you can force progress. What we can do is try to do better...not demand better....just doesn't work that way.

What does bother me are bigger issues. Greed, this country has been over run with greed....it's immoral...lack of understanding our fellow man. ....Lack of compassion....Our society encourages and pays high salaries to spread intolerance and hate...this bothers me... open bigotry and racism seem to be on the rise. These things are troubling.

Hillary Clinton getting picked on........­.......not so much.
I'm guessing....between now and the convention we will see more and more of this ...poor Hillary tone. It's going to be a rough three weeks folks..

p.s. the Europeans... and the world were making fun of Clinton's pant suits...way...way more then we were here at home.

[Jasel]

Personally I think there are a lot of people out there who clap themselves on the back a bit too hard for the progress we made. Not only that but they use accomplishments of what those fought for in the past as justification to do absolutely nothing in the present.