And then there were two...

John Edwards has left the building.
With that news it becomes all but certain that for the first time in American History a woman or a black man will indeed be a major party candidate for President of the United States of America!

These are exciting times people! I couldn't be more proud of my Democratic party.

A woman and a black man as the Democratic nominee does more than just make us look progressive, it opens up a national dialogue to discuss a few topics that for the most part we won't discuss or haven't had any reason to discuss. My mother pretty much summed up this discussion in one conversation. Mother is a typical Midwestern, white woman, independent who leans left when voting. Her statement was this, "I like Hillary but I'm not sure I would feel safe with a woman in charge and I like Obama but I think his wife is too uppity to be First Lady (her words, not mine)

Does she have a point? Does the rest of Middle America think like this?

I was browsing Obama's website the other day and came across this button.


Now, I have color television and I am well aware of the fact that Barack Obama is a Black Man, but I have to confess that after seeing this image of a young black family with the title of America's First Family, My core was rattled for a brief second. The only things close to resembling a First Family in that picture (from what I grew up knowing) are the pearls around Michelle's neck and her hairdo. Is this an image that you think America can accept and get use to?







On the other side of the ticket there is the discussion of whether or not a Woman can be commander in chief and leader of the free world. My first line of thinking is, Sure. She will surround herself with knowledge Generals & advisors (all male) so she would be well advised when making any kind military decisions. But what if they are Women Generals? Would I still feel as confident?

Is it deep planted seeds of racism and sexism (no matter how subtle) that makes us ask these questions or is it the fact that we have never had a woman or black man in this position before to prove to us that it is, in fact, possible. It's not like all white men have been good presidents. (I'm looking at you G.W.B.)


I'm not sure. But what I do know for sure is this, Sexism, Racism, or uncertainty be damned. When the day comes this November and I find myself in the voting booth, I will proudly cast my vote for either the first Woman or first African American ever and in doing so, play a small part in making history while slowly erasing the prejudices’ of our past history.