BernieHund: The Political Watchdog

In a recent Newsweek interview, Senator Clinton mentioned that many of the older women who vote for her, those my age, remember the climb women have made over the past half century.  Perhaps, in part, that is one reason she has struck a chord with that demographic.

There is some truth in that statement.  One of the things I have learned as I have talked to the forty and under crowd, black and white, male and female, is that the memories of past battles are memories.  I’m not so naive as to think the world is color blind or gender indifferent, but if there is one refreshing note to this historical election process, it isn’t so much that we are either going to select a black man or a white woman as the nominee.  It is that at least half the voters are not influenced by race or gender.

When I talk with college students I hear them talk about the issues and the enthusiasm.  I have never heard one mention that he or she would vote for or against either candidate because of race or gender. 

When I talk to friends of my age I occasionally hear mention that it would be nice to have a woman president.  It will show how far we have come.  Or when I am among some of my black friends occasionally one will mention that this is “the dream.”  But, the truth is, the dream, be it the dream of a black president or a woman president is held onto mostly by those of us who fought the battles, those of us who have the scars.

I’m not suggesting that we forget the past.  I am suggesting that perhaps it’s time for us to let the younger people, those who grew up enjoying the fruits of our labors move forward.  And, I am not so naive as to believe that everyone my age, or younger, has no prejudices.  We do.  All of us do.  They may not be racial prejudices or gender prejudices, but as humans we all have prejudices.  Most of us continue to work to dissolve them, but to say they don’t exist is not the truth.

The divide today is based on education.  That should be our focus.  Perhaps, as we come out of a time when race and gender mattered, we should realize that what matters today is not a person’s color or another’s gender.  What matters today is availability of equal education for all.  That is the gap that remains today.

For all the talk in the press, let’s try to move on to real issues.