Women of Color in an Obama Era

Today, like I do everyday around noon, I moved my car from one side of the street to the other as directed by the Culver City parking limit sign. While waiting at the stop sign, a block from the Brave New Films office (my employer), I watched as three Latina women crossed the street strolling along three white children. The women appeared to be related, la abuela, la madre, and the daughter following closely behind. Three generations of Latina domestic workers pushing three white-raced children in a stroller along the pristine streets of Culver City, California - what else is new? This wasn't the first time I've seen Latinas walk white-raced children around the streets of this liberal-leaning city. Fifty years ago, those Latinas would probably have been African-American women - the faces have changed, but not necessarily the situation.

All this got me thinking about women of color and where we fit into this new Obama era. While I don't believe any politician is ever more powerful than the will of the people, I can't help but wonder how Obama's power as President will address the myriad of low wage-(or no wage)-earning, care-taking, health-insurance-lacking, poverty-stricken women of color (WOC) in the United States.

African-American women still comprise over sixty percent of the labor force among women. Women of color in general are much less likely to hold managerial and professional jobs than white women. Women of color are more likely to be poor than white women, and with the exception of Asian-American women, WOC are considerably less likely to hold a BA degree or higher than white women. WOC earn less than white women with the same education level. Asian-American and Native American women in particular share in the highest proportion of female suicide deaths across race, ages 15-44. African-American, Native American, and Asian-American women are significantly less likely to than white women to report being a victim of sexual and domestic violence. Among women, Latinas/Chicanas are the least represented at the highest levels of education.

I thoroughly respect Obama's National Security choices, including Hillary Clinton, Susan Rice, and Janet Napolitano. Placing these women at high leadership positions symbolizes a societal transition toward forward thinking shape-shifters. Yet, just as we aren't in a post-race era, we certainly haven't transcended gender discrimination and economic and health disparities among women and men - especially as it relates to women of color.

My African-American mother is the sole caretaker of my white-raced father, a 78-year-old veteran, suffering from heart disease, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and severe emphysema. She, like many other WOC who take care of sick and dying family members, is also unemployed - and not necessarily by choice. Despite the fact that she has chosen to go back to school and finish her Bachelor's degree, there aren't many options for a middle-aged black women (with a plethora of work experience) in this day-in age.

But my little familial anecdote isn't any different from, say, that of women in DC living with HIV, wherein 90% of them are black. Nor is my story any different from the Latina domestic workers in Culver City, or the large majority of Native and Asian-American young women struggling with depression, and taking their own lives as a result. We have progressed as a nation, and while we all can take great pride in our future First lady and First daughters (Michelle, Malia, and Sasha), the problems WOC collectively face in the U.S. are significant in comparison to that of white women and men. In other words, we still have work to do.

Issues concerning women of color span economy, education, health, poverty, and popular culture. While the problems that arise within these multiple modes of society vary, the fact remains that the struggles we face as women of the growing minority are compounded by race. The implications of an Obama administration upon the lives of women of color is yet to be seen. Though we understand that policies and legislation which positively influence the conditions of WOC can, in essence, impact the entire well-being of U.S. society. If women of color suffer, we all do - because we are the workers, the (First) mothers, the (First) daughters, and yet still, the struggling and dying many.

Many thanks to Smita Satiani and Axel Woolfolk for contributing insights and editorial suggestions to this essay.

Sources:
Institute For Women's Policy Research
Eliza Noh, Ph.D., California State University, Fullerton
National VAWA Survey

Follow Tara L. Conley on Twitter: www.twitter.com/taralconley

Comments

[wade6667]

*Part 3

Personally, I would like to see America become more like Sweden. Here, everyone is given an equal opportunity to educate themselves, receive quality heath-care, and raise a family. Working mothers are given 13 months paid-maternity leave, the government helps pay for child day-care, and the minimum wage here is 14 American Dollars and hour (almost double). Policies like these have really helped Swedish Society, not to say that the Government is the only solution or that Sweden doesn't have it's share problems... Ultimately, I still think that it's up to the individual to make the right choices, and live up to a set of Standards that are necessary to function within society. Sure, the government can help level-out the playing-field a little, but ultimately, it's up to the individual to run with the ball.

(Sorry that my comment is in 3 parts)

[wade6667]

Part 2
I think the next 4-8 years will be very interesting, and I hope to see some positive changes amongst all poor people and minorities (including women of color). Still, I'm not sure what the first Black-President can do other than just provide a good example for people to follow. Sure, he can lower taxes on lower-income families, invest in education, and create jobs, but he can't force people to value education, respect their women, or have children responsibly... America will never be like Sweden, so regardless of who's President, it's almost completely up to the individual to improve their own situation.

*I wonder if you have any ideas or suggestions for the Obama Administration? What do you think should be done to help Women of Color? What can women of color do to help themselves? What can the government do to offset the effects of racial/gender-discrimination?

[Nommo]

It is always humorous when obviously white poster pose such notion of "a good example for people to follow". As if prior to Barack Obama, no person of the oppressed persuasion made little or no effort to improve the conditions of their lives. As if all the struggles of the last century never happened
As if oppressed wrote and endorsed the legislation that kept them from every mainstream promise there was to be had.

It was the all of the fighting for enfranchisement and equal protection under the law that inspired Obama to take the place that he did, whether he would become elected to the highest office in the land. You have no idea the insult that you pack into such a notion he should provide and example to people who do nothing but struggle to live and who struggle to have their humanity acknowledged.

They know the worth of life. It is those who have no struggle, who have the law and custom in their favor whether they are deserving or no, who have no idea of the worth of this life.

[wade6667]

Nommo,

I never suggested that "No Other Oppressed Person" made an effort to better their own lives. This is your own assessment based on your pre-conceived ideas about me as a White-Male.
I suggest you go back and read my entire post and pretend that a Black Man wrote it... Then maybe you'll be less offended and not jump to such ridiculous conclusions..
I cant believe that you were insulted by the idea that Obama, as the first Black President, will actually uplift and inspire Oppressed People by being a positive role-model... I suggest you go read a book on Sociology, then maybe you'll understand what I'm saying.

[wade6667]

Part 1
We live in a difficult time when women are expected to be mothers, (sometimes single-mothers), wives, and career-woman. Racial and Gender discrimination still exists and probably always will to some degree. Hopefully, an Obama era can help uplift all struggling people in America, but this will take drastic Policy Changes in Washington, Cultural Changes in America, and Individuals taking responsibility for their own destructive behavioral patterns.

The example of the 2 Latino Nannies brought back memories of living in LA. Many of these Nannies are immigrants, with little education, who work for middle-to-upper-class Latino & White Families. Believe it or not, there are also many white-woman in rural-areas who work as "Nannie's" for wealthy families and as Caretakers for the elderly. These jobs are usually under-paid, require no education, but ironically, are in very high demand. My Grandmother lives in a nursing home in NJ.. Most of the staff there consists of Women of Color who make $11 dollars an hour to change dirty diapers... I often wonder why they are so underpaid, and why jobs like these are often looked down on?

[sareader]

Thank you for the excellent post! However, given your description of the three Latina women at the beginning of your post, I thought you might find my family's story interesting. While my mother and sisters and I are all dark-haired, brown-eyed Latinas, with brown skin, the children and grandchildren in our family are almost exclusively honey-brown, green and blue-eyed with golden brown hair and fair skin - the children of marriages to White, Anglo men (and our own recessive genes!) We are very often assumed to be the caretakers/babysitters of our children, instead of their mothers and tias. Despite our advanced degrees and careers, we can't shake the stereotypes.

My best friend, another Latina with a fair-haired child, tells the best story: She was once approached at the playground and complimented by another mother regarding her beautiful daughter. The woman asked my friend, "how long have you been taking care of her?" My friend's response, "ever since I carried her inside of me."

[sowhatdemos]

This administration is our best opportunity for real advancement. Michelle is a class act and I think you should contact her to get the ball rolling. She has a good soul and she will help all of us.

[Cesaria]

This is a very interesting topic. Black women being the back bone in black nationalism and the responsibility that comes with that and then sharing a piece of the feminist movement. I don't know, it all seems as if the avenues are there, whether they be by way of education/work to push forward, but along with those are social/economic restraints some put on black women and others that black women put on themselves (this can also be said of women of color in general). Yet unlike before where there was a mask and the identity was not known underneath, I think the dual roles of race and gender can be worked out so that each stands on equal footing with success being the foundation and no compromise needed. Michelle Obama inspired me more than Barack for instance, and certainly more than some other women already picked for the cabinet early on. There are obstacles out there for sure and I am very hopeful that barriers and generalizations will be smashed and that line used to denote success and progress is moved up so as not to put people in a box or place making this a society of tiers.

[Eyewideopen]

Why isn't this article on the front page???

[Tara L. Conley - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks Sean, for the warm welcome! And thank you also for your insights . . .

Yes, I can't imagine that a dramatic shift in policy would happen without it benefiting mainstream 'white' america, (which in itself isn't necessarily a bad thing - especially since my own father would likely benefit). But I get your point entirely. For people of color to experience and benefit from public policy, it usually comes at a price or sacrifice of some sort.

Obama won this election with an incredibly populist message, speaking to the masses of people anxious for something new - he was/is very smart in carefully picking and choosing his causes to champion, most of which speak to mainstream, broad public policy. Yet still, I think for him to truly live up to his transformative legacy he has to specifically consider people of color - women of color - in his agenda-making. Like you said, it will have to be done in the most creative (and maybe even subversive) way.

Thanks too for the book recommendation - I will check it out!

Best.

[SeanGardner]

Oh, one more thing...

I'm going to try and lobby Arianna Huffington to let you be the entertainment for the Huffpo/GQ party at 2009's Netroots Nation's event in Pittsburgh. Why? Because you're a fantastic singer. I perused your blogsite and you're a very inspired, intelligent, and comical person.

But, by far, your voice is warm and radiant. You were singing with this election in mind, and it sounded really good. I mean, you can come to the conference to engage minds, and influence public policy. The firm you work, BRAVE NEW FILMS, already does a great job in that department. But after the sessions are over, I think you'd rock the house at Huffpo's party.

Once more, thanks for your post above. Please blog on the site again...

[SeanGardner]

I see this is your first blog post. Welcome to HUFFPO...You made great points.

One of the things I believe we need to keep in mind about public policy is that nothing dramatic is instituted without whites seeing and beliving that they are also benefitting. Period. Howard Dean talked about this as a presidential candidate back in 2003.

So whatever Obama's White House is able to sign into law that helps to dramtically change the "economic and health disparities" of women of color, it must be marketed and promoted in a very creative way to circumvent the opposition of polemicists who represent the subset of whites who believe "their country" is going down the drain.

To get some ideas about how to jump over the objections that would surely meet such efforts, I suggest you read Jill Quadagno's excellent book, "The Color of Welfare: How Racism Undermined the War on Poverty." Here is a great review of the book: http://www.oup.com/us/catalog/general/subject/Sociology/RaceEthnicity/?view=usa&ci=9780195101225.

SG

PS I love your personal blog site...