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Who's First--A Woman or An African American Man? US History

Posted by mattheosis • 8/30/08 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: african american issues, civil rights, Government, obama, palin, politics, President, us history, vice president, women issues

Looking back in Us History, I noticed two struggles for civil voting rights--that of Women and that of African Americans. Women were given the right to vote after African American Men. Do you think that Us History will repeat itself in light of the 2008 elections for the Executive Branch of Government. Will a Woman, Palin, be elected into the Executive office as Vice President, after an African American Man, Obama, is elected in as President?

User Comments

8/30/08

ekim941

Good Grief. How about if we focus on who is the best candidate and forget about skin color or dangling bits.

[reply]
1. 8/30/08
  
  voodooKobra
  
  ekim++
2. 8/30/08
  
  ekim941
  
  I've been incremented by one
3. 8/30/08
  
  mattheosis
  
  Of course we need to think about the best candidate. But, history plays a part in the making. Will you deny that?
4. 8/30/08
  
  voodooKobra
  
  I'll deny that I give a damn either way, because I don't.
5. 8/30/08
  
  clioandme
  
  I don't even understand the following phrase in this context: "history plays a part in the making"
6. 8/31/08
  
  Talulazoeapple
  
  "Dangling bits." LOL
  
  I like Obama because I am from Illinois and I saw what he accomplished in Chicago and the state. Back then the press marvelled over his ability to unite people with different and competing interests.
  
  I am glad the country has caught on.
8/30/08

mattheosis

I think for someone to deny that these issues are at stake is to slap either Women or African American Men in the face.

[reply]
1. 8/30/08
  
  clioandme
  
  Or it might just be that some of us are voting based on the best candidate, platform, and party. Think about it. According to the logic of your statement, all voters in the US are either misogynists or racists. That's silly.
2. 9/10/08
  
  MadameX
  
  I keep forgetting Obama is black. Seriously. It jolts me a little bit each time I see a topic like this and remember that it's apparently supposed to be an issue.
8/30/08

mattheosis

Didn't you see my comment above. Hello, can you read? lol I am not even going to explain the "history" bit. I am sure you will agree, that just because issues are involved in a US Executive branch election, does not mean that we do not vote for the best candidate--as stated above. This involves a plethora of issues, and I am just talking about two of them. Do I have to talk about every issue on the plate, or can't I say, "How about that bacon and that sausage."

[reply]
1. 8/30/08
  
  clioandme
  
  The analogy you attempt to draw in your OP doesn't make sense to me either. I defer to ekim941. www.blogcatalog.com/discuss/entry/whos-first-a-woman-or-an-african-american...
8/30/08

mattheosis

Its okay if you don't understand. I can't hold that against you. And in order to have a set basis for argumentation and debate, I tried to break things down for you into more of a common ground area. Then again, I am not so much looking for debate as I am speculation. Sometimes it is hard for some to speculate. There is no sin in speculation, but obviously you and ekim941 hold it as such, and really if I wanted to hear circular reasoning I would have turned on Bill O'Reilly.

[reply]
1. 8/30/08
  
  voodooKobra
  
  Quit being pompous.
  
  Disagreement is not a lack of comprehension.
2. 8/30/08
  
  DrowseyMonkey
  
  lol@comparing mark, ekim & voodoo to o'reily. Too funny.
  
  I agree with voodoo...just 'cause someone disagrees with you doesn't mean they don't comprehend.
8/30/08

mattheosis

Voodoo, now who is being pompous? Do you know the etymology of the word? I think it is so funny how people get so upset over typed words these days. I love it. I laugh! Have you ever sat in on UK Parliament session. I recommend it. It's a good eye opener for speech and debate. Anyway, I am not here to debate, but discuss speculation on the original subject matter.

Looking back in Us History, I noticed two struggles for civil voting rights--that of Women and that of African Americans. Women were given the right to vote after African American Men. Do you think that Us History will repeat itself in light of the 2008 elections for the Executive Branch of Government. Will a Woman, Palin, be elected into the Executive office as Vice President, after an African American Man, Obama, is elected in as President?

[reply]
1. 8/30/08
  
  voodooKobra
  
  [Voodoo, now who is being pompous?]
  You are. I don't care about your "speculation," and I don't care about the race or gender of the candidates. I only care about what they bring to the table. Ideas, policies, issues. That's all that matters.
2. 8/30/08
  
  mattheosis
  
  Thank you for the laugh DrowseyMonkey. I appreciate that! Really, I am just trying to start a speculating discussion, and it kind of got thwarted as impractical rubbish. Impractical or not, that's all this is, is fun speculation.
3. 8/30/08
  
  voodooKobra
  
  What you're trying to do is start a discussion that is completely irrelevant to the matter at hand: The Presidential election.
8/30/08

mattheosis

That's great voodooKobra, but clearly you are on the wrong discussion, because I am not aiming in that direction. Maybe there is another Blogcatalog discussion on the ideas, policies, and issues of the candidates. If you find it make sure you tell ekim941 and marksoneman. They will probably want to join you.

Best wishes, Matt Thompson

[reply]
8/30/08

TheSaudaVoice

As a black woman, I'd like to make one clarification that I think often gets left out of such discussions: Although black men were given the right to vote before women, they were not permitted to actually exercise that right (without being subjected to domestic acts of terrorism - such as beatings and lynchings) until the passing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

In today's time, people often speak as if black men (and black people, in general) freely exercised the rights granted to them under the law without incident, retaliation or backlash. Oftentimes, this was NEVER the case! There were the laws on the books........and then there were laws as they existed IN REALITY.

- The Sauda Voice
www.TheSaudaVoice.com

[reply]
1. 8/31/08
  
  mattheosis
  
  I agree with your statements, especially in certain parts of the nation such acts off violence, poll taxes, literary examinations to participate in the actual voting did occur. The same was true for women, but maybe not as violently permissible or acceptable, as horrible as certain perspectives of the country were.
  
  Given the way things are today, how do you feel about the current situation?
  
  If a woman becomes VP now, or Obama become President now how will that affect the future for an African American woman running for President?
  
  I appreciate your input . . . it's great!
8/30/08

TheSaudaVoice

Hello All -

With regard to this thread topic, I don't see anything wrong with the questions "mattheosis" posed. His questions are valid, especially during this historic election.

Of course, it is my hope that most Americans are judging each candidate on the issues, not their ethnic background or gender. I'm of the opinion that most are. However, we are fooling ourselves if we think that a significant portion of Americans are not taking a candidate's race or gender into account when making their decision. As a black woman, I don't have the luxury of pretending that such realities don't exist. Thus, I applaud all persons who are willing to acknowledge this reality as well as dialogue about it, because this is often the first step in bringing about positive change and understanding.

The Sauda Voice
www.TheSaudaVoice.com

[reply]
8/31/08

TheSaudaVoice

Mattheosis -

I think the election of a woman VP or African-American President will be a wonderful thing for America, both domestically and abroad. Gender and race issues won't disappear overnight with these appointments, but it will force many Americans to honestly confront their biased or bigoted feelings with regard to these groups. It will become more difficult (and less acceptable) to argue that women and/or blacks are less intelligent, less capable, etc. Although this has NEVER been the case, such arguments will become less and less tolerable in an environment where women and blacks hold or have held the highest offices in the land. In addition, these appointments will also serve as strong proof of what is POSSIBLE when ALL PEOPLE are granted equal access and opportunity, rather than a select few.

Of course, there is so much more, but this is just a general snapshot of what these appointments will mean. Hey, you've given me an idea for a blog post discussion. LOL!

The Sauda Voice
www.TheSaudaVoice.com

[reply]
8/31/08

mattheosis

Let's keep this discussion rolling I want to know your perspectives out there?

Looking back in Us History, I noticed two struggles for civil voting rights--that of Women and that of African Americans. Women were given the right to vote after African American Men. Do you think that Us History will repeat itself in light of the 2008 elections for the Executive Branch of Government. Will a Woman, Palin, be elected into the Executive office as Vice President, after an African American Man, Obama, is elected in as President?

[reply]
9/09/08

fivekitten

I was wondering the same thing. (Random thoughts going through my brain..) It'll be interesting to see what happens. I kinda think it's usually male trumps woman in historical advances - particularly in the working world. I also think the media has been/is making more of the race/gender issue than the typical voter would.

[reply]
1. 9/10/08
  
  mattheosis
  
  You know I think so as well. I am amazed at the attacks on Palin. I think it is because she is a woman personally. Our society thinks women have to be perfect. Men on the other hand can be the biggest screw ups as long as they have a great personality.
9/10/08

voodooKobra

Bah! F$#* this noise!

[reply]
1. 9/10/08
  
  mattheosis
  
  Thanks for the "Bah!" VoodooKobra
  
  Regards, Matt Thompson | Mattheosis
9/10/08

Theresa111

I vote for the dangling bits ... Ekim! You are too funny

[reply]
1. 9/10/08
  
  mattheosis
  
  Theresa, thank you for announcing your vote. What do you mean by 'the dangling bits?'
  
  Regards, Matt Thompson | Mattheosis
9/10/08

Slashbe

I predict an English-Scottish-German-Irish-Native American-American gets elected.

[reply]
1. 9/10/08
  
  mattheosis
  
  Predictions are always welcome here Slashbe. Thanks!
  
  Regards, Matt Thompson | Mattheosis
9/10/08

csiunatc

Dangling bits first.

[reply]
1. 9/10/08
  
  mattheosis
  
  Csiunatc, maybe you can help me understand the "dangling bits" thing. What is meant by that?
  
  Regards, Matt Thompson | Mattheosis
9/10/08

Jeunelle

The SaudaVoice raised some great points here.

"we are fooling ourselves if we think that a significant portion of Americans are not taking a candidate's race or gender into account when making their decision.

Of course we must take the candidate's other accomplishments into mind as well.

All of this is part of the process to help us make a decision as to who we would like to vote for
and who we would like to see in office.

@mattheosis ...Your question is a valid one.

[reply]
9/10/08

mattheosis

Jeunelle, I appreciate you taking the time to add to this discussion.

Regards, Matt Thompson | Mattheosis

[reply]
1. 9/10/08
  
  Jeunelle
  
  @matheosis... You're welcome, anytime buddy.
  I added you to friends.
  You know some people may forget that Obama is black but many others won't with the death threats that he has been receiving yet they want to discuss the unfair treatment that Sarah Palin is receiving. At least she hasn't been receiving death threats because you want to run for office.
  www.JeunelleFoster.com
9/10/08

Jeunelle

I would also like to add that if a candidate is receiving death threats, other people are looking at the fact that he is black. So yes race still plays a part in it all.

[reply]
9/10/08

TOMDDiary

I would like to think that we will make our decision on the best candidates but the reality of the situation says different.

[reply]
9/11/08

mattheosis

You make a valid point for death threats. Even Kennedy received death threats on his campaign, and he was white caucasian. That is why it is best to vote for the right candidate, not based on prejudice.

Respectfully, Matt Thompson
Mattheosis: Entrepreneurial Stay-Home Dad
www.mattheosis.com

[reply]