Black. Female. Democrat. If you’re not ALL of those things, this post may not apply to you. The 2008 presidential election has been especially exciting for me. (The final outcome was the highlight but I’ll write about that next week. I still need time to digest.)
Leading up to the Democratic Convention, the country’s registered Democrats (and dissatisfied Republicans) were faced for the first time with two historic candidates: a young, charismatic mixed black senator from Chicago and a seasoned, well-known female senator from New York by way of the White House by way of Arkansas. Both lawyers. Both senators. Both representing a fight for injustice. One married to whom many considered to be the first “black president.” The other on his way to becoming the first “actually black president.” One a great orator. The other a calculated speaker. Not a knock to Barack Obama but I was a Hillary Clinton supporter. Seeing as my side did not prevail, I will not dwell on my reasoning for leaning her way. Just enjoy the below picture of my puppy Rodman sporting his “Howl for Hillary” shirt during her concession speech during the Democratic Convention.
Howl for Hillary
I think the most interesting thing about my choice of candidate was the reaction I received from other Black, Female Democrats (BFDs) in my life. Some were appalled that I could even CONSIDER not voting for the black candidate, as if I was abandoning my race. I didn’t realize that it was my obligation to vote for any black person running for an office. If the person is qualified AND the best candidate, Hell yes. If not, it may be my responsibility to help them become the best candidate, not just to give them a position and cross my fingers. Luckily, Barack Obama was a candidate I could and did (eventually) support. But what if he wasn’t?….
Until Hillary was out of the race and had conceded, I was hoping to see a Clinton back in the White House. Following the father-son Bush deal, how cool would it have been to have a husband-wife succession? Bush-Clinton-Clinton-Bush-Bush-Clinton. And I still feel Bill Clinton should be the first First Gentleman. Couldn’t you just see it: Bill Clinton in linen suits reading to underprivileged children in DC? Simply magical….
In the words of Sojourner Truth, “Ain’t I a Woman?” Does a black man usurp a white woman in who’s holding my best interests at heart? Who decides if I’m more or less a woman than an African-American? Am I not allowed to consider the politics when race and gender are an additional factor? I feel it should be a personal decision. Clinton and Obama could have been (and I believe were) BOTH candidates for me. I’m proud to call Barack Obama MY President Elect. But I’m still not giving up on Hillary. I respect her too much not to hold out hope. No offense to Biden but an Obama/Clinton or Clinton/Obama ticket would have been this Black, Female Democrat’s dream come true.
Still sporting her “I Voted” sticker,
Jo’van
The Truth: According to Jo'van 