Even with the change of having a black president of the united states, there is one thing that is still apparent. The country is still ruled by men. A woman could have potentially become vice president, but the main role is still left into the hands of a man. African Americans in the US were segregated from whites not even 50 years ago, and a lot of people haven't realized that. It is interesting that even though women have had rights longer, a black man is still president before a woman. Does that say something about the USA and our perceptions of a woman?
We saw with Hilary Clinton, that being a woman is a disadvantage. Women are generally seen as weaker, more emotional, and more likely to change their mind. When Hilary cried on national TV, it was a turning point in her campaign. To some people, she was seen as week and emotional just for that, and everything she had tried to accomplish in her campaign was blown away. The gender stereotypes are still in America, even if people would like to say that they aren't and society is perfectly fair and equal.
On a side note: it looked as if Sarah Palin was crying during McCain's speech tonight. McCain seemed stalwart, even after losing the biggest contest in the USA. Once again, the woman is seen as weak and emotional and the man is seen as strong and stalwart.
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4 comments:
This is a very good point. And yes, Sarah Palin was tearing up during McCain's speech the other night. I do believe that it was unfair that Hilary Clinton was criticized for tearing up herself on public television. But, at the same time Obama cried during one of his speeches when he was talking about his grandmother death. He was not criticized, but embraced and most people felt sympathy for him.
I think your point on women having more rights than African Americans is great. I don't think many people put two and two together. Unfortunately, the fact that women are still not "trustworthy" or competant enough for our society because of their gender is upsetting. Wow, Palin and Clinton shed a tear, but as Tia said, so did Obama. Emotions are part of every human being.
I would have to agree and say that America can't get over the fact of having a female in the highest office of the land. Although it seems like there was a step back in the gender and the political world, I would say some ground can be gained by Obama's wife Michelle. If she can have the first lady become a role model much like that of Eleanor Roosevelt, then I can see a small progression for women and politics
I agree with the post that women are constantly seen as being emotional and always changing their minds about everything. When Hilary Clinton started crying on public television, she was seen as being very weak. Tia's point about how when Obama cried during his speech when he spoke of his grandmother's death, he was seen as being confident and strong, is very good.
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