In the Agora: Identity Politics

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May 06, 2008

Identity Politics

Today Indiana goes to the polls in what may turn out to be a decisive primary for the Democratic nomination. I live in a largely Democratic precinct and overheard this exchange while walking into the polling booth this morning:

Middle-aged white woman #1: "I really want to elect a woman president, but I'm just so smitten with Obama's family."

Hippyish twenty-something male: "I know what you mean. He's really cool."

Middle-aged white woman #1: "His mother had a biracial child in the 1960s! Think of what that would mean if he became president!"

Middle-aged white woman #2: "Yes, but black men have always had more rights than women. That's not right, so I'm voting for Hillary."

I thought this exchange would be beneficial for our international readers who might be interested in how some Americans select the leader of the free world.

Posted by Joshua Claybourn at May 6, 2008 10:00 AM

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NPR had one of those, as Doug Masson puts it, "anthropologist-among-the-natives" pieces on Martinsville, IN. I found the following quote to be interesting:

Another local, Ryan Wilson, says it would be "weird for a woman or a black to run the United States."

"I think a lot of things would change. Probably the male chauvinist in me is going to vote for the man just because. I'm going to be honest, it probably won't be McCain, since he stands for everything George Bush stands for. I think [Obama] says he doesn't take money from the lobbyists, which I think can be real positive," he says.

Posted by: Zach Wendling at May 6, 2008 10:34 AM | permalink

That reminds me of the scene from PCU where the students are complaining about waiting in line for the party.

Posted by: Eric Seymour at May 6, 2008 02:04 PM | permalink

Is it any better than folks voting straight party out of habit?

I find that some older folks vote for a party and cite reasons that may no longer apply to that party.

Posted by: Foltz at May 6, 2008 03:21 PM | permalink

Completely off topic, I know, but for anyone who wants to win a free DVD of I Am Legend, play the "I Am Legend/Gospel of Jesus Christ compare/contrast"-game here.

Grace and Peace,
Raffi Shahinian
Parables of a Prodigal World

Posted by: Raffi Shahinian at May 6, 2008 05:51 PM | permalink

I'm so glad that no one voted for Ronald Reagan because of his charisma.

Posted by: Joel Betow at May 9, 2008 08:06 PM | permalink

May 06, 2008

Identity Politics

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