why is race still an issue in politics?

Question

does it really matter what ethnicity politicians are? Obama may be black, but what does that matter to me. I will only look at his platform, not his skin color. I see alot of people talking about him being black this and that. And i hear things on tv like "Are we ready for a black President?" What? is there something i'm missing? what does the skin color of a person have to do with how they are going to run a country?

Answer 1

Sadly, in this day and age, race, gender, religion, etc are still issues in many areas of American life. Thus, there are many voters who will not look past a candidate's superficial characteristics when deciding whether or not to vote for that candidate. Hopefully someday this nation will reach it's potential and this will no longer matter.

Answer 2

You will only look at his/her platform, but sadly, America does not.

America was founded on a bunch of white males, and continues to be founded by the white majority. My father and I had a discussion on this, and there's a simple answer for a simple question.

"America will see its first white female president before a black president."

The majority of America is white. Now, I'm not going to say that all white people hate minorities and won't vote for them, but it's the truth. Heck, some black people vote for Hilary. What's missing is the trust. When the majority of America votes on their Presidents, everyone has their own ways of trusting candidates.

#1. A candidate gives out pension for the elderly. Elderly votes for them

#2. Tax cuts are "promised", causing families to vote for a candidate

These are just a few examples. The sad thing is that this is how many people vote for their President; not how well of a leader he is, but rather, what's in it for me. Every candidate says this and that to make people vote for them, and yet, it's funny because they mostly don't follow through with what their campaign guarantees.

But I digress: The reason why race is still in issue in politics is simple. The civil rights movement only happened about 40-50 years ago. That's still not that long of a time. With America's long history of slavery, and rules against people of color, it is still getting used to being equal. Truthfully, it doesn't matter what race a president is, and to say "Are we ready for a black President?" I only care that my next President doesn't lead us into a war that cost us billions of dollars, and yet people in the U.S. can't afford health care to survive.

P.S. Don't be afraid to say what you mean. You should have titled this question, "Why is the idea of an African American President still taboo?"

Answer 3

i assume the situation is while, no longer if. John McCain is ultimately going to get the nomination at an age he would desire to have been retired. Oprah's guy Obama is youthful, and he does not would desire to win this time...yet he would. he's the appropriate speachmaker, of any race working. perchance the appropriate speachmaker by using fact JFK!!! that does no longer mean he's familiar with the thank you to run any element, no longer to show the worldwide's final great potential. He never ran a company, no longer to show a city or a state!!! The bible says "Be a DOER additionally"!!! yet you have have been given to supply him credit for worldwide type speeches. the only race situation isn't any remember if king-maker Oprah chosen him over a woman president by using fact he's black. yet i'm basically fool adequate to declare precisely what i'm thinkng, even although in basic terms a black individual can question that "twist of fate", by using present policies approximately political correctness.

Answer 4

It shouldn't, and for many of us, it doesn't. And, bless you for saying so.

BUT, deeply ingrained belief systems like racism and sexism don't change in just one generation, as much as we'd like to believe they do. It's almost always a case of the believes gradually changing, over the course of centuries. There will always be racists and sexists. The best we can hope for is that the percentage of them keeps shrinking--as it has for a very, very long time.

Consider that the first abolitionist society (anti-slavery) in north America was founded in the 1600's, and yet we didn't free the slaves as a country until the 1860's and that gives you an idea of how long these things can take.

That said? It changes by more and more individuals standing up for what they now know to be right, so again? Bless you.

Answer 5

Because some leaders and would-be leaders benefit from continuing to /make/ it an issue.


A phrase like "Are we ready for a black president," today, is a challenge to the voters: vote black or admit you're a racist. In the past, it would have had a different impact, discouraging would-be black candidates.

Answer 6

Not everyone is as enlightened as you seem to be!

Race and gender is still a huge issue in this country.

That's just the truth.

We are in a time in this country unlike any other.

Never before have a woman and a black man run for the highest office in our country!

It will cause people to take a hard look at their own prejudices and preconceived notions.

Answer 7

People usually support candidates who are like them. Blacks prefer black candidates, whites prefer white candidates, and Latinos prefer Latino candidates. It is human nature. The media is talking about Obama so much because he is the first serious black candidate for the president.

Since Obama has a white mother he has to prove to the black community that he is one of them. He does that by supporting the affirmative action program and other handouts for blacks. Naturally, as a white man, I am opposed to continuing these unnecessary and discriminatory programs.

I agree with you that the candidate's stand on the issues and the candidates character are more important than race. I will not vote for Obama because he is extremely liberal, too inexperienced and he has promised La Raza that he will give amnesty to all the illegals in the country. Obama voted in favor of the awful senate immigration bill, thus betraying the whites and the blacks in our country.

Answer 8

I have a dream where all men are created EQUAL! But all I ever seem to hear is how much I owe the minority population because of what my ancestors put their ancestors through. I'm with you, who cares about race, I'm all for treating everyone equal. All we ever hear in the media is "first black this", "first woman that". If we want to be equal why is there no White College Fund, or National Mexican History Month. Race is an issue in America period and it comes from all directions. Nobody really wants to be equal, then there wouldn't be anything to biatch about.

Answer 9

great question! i agree with you, but race is still an issue with society and that's the reason it's an issue in politics. as america becomes a more multicultural society you will see race become less of a point of focus.

it would help to change things if republicans would accept people of different races based on their character, and not go around calling them "halfrican". the republican party's legitimization of racism needs to end.

Answer 10

Because the issue of race has never been fully resolved. Perhaps it never will, but it's worth trying.