Barack Obama's election means a lot of things, especially to the African American community. After so many years of oppression, after slavery and segregation, a black man has finally crashed through the glass ceiling and accomplished something that just a few years ago seemed impossible.
Yet this election cycle featured much more than just our first black candidate and president-elect. We had women as a vice-presidential nominee, and as the runner-up in the Democratic primaries. We had a Latino as a contender for the Democratic nomination. America has made tremendous strides towards true equality, between people of all creeds, sexes, races, and religions.
Just as African Americans can feel validated by the election of a black president, so too can other minority groups. Now that America has elected her first non-white male president, what's next? Let's take a look at some other groups that have never seen one of their own become elected to the most important post in the world.
First, Women. Women make up, obviously enough, about 50% of the voting electorate. Still, one could make the point that they are in fact the most oppressed of all peoples. Even long after African Americans gained the right to vote, women were still fighting for suffrage. Even today, women still lag behind men in terms of earning money. Women are very underrepresented in Congress, as just 90 members are female. Still, it would seem likely that America will have a female president in the not-too-distant future. In watching Hillary Clinton run for the Democratic nomination, and Sarah Palin become the Republican candidate for Vice President, though, it seems that gender is less of an issue than qualification. Notable women in politics include Claire McCaskill, Condoleezza Rice, and Janet Napolitano.
Next up, Jews. Barry Goldwater is the lone Jew to be a major-party nominee for President, and he was only half-Jewish. While Jews make up under 2% of the population of the United States, their influence both in business (some suggest that Jews give up to half of political donations) and especially in politics can not be undermined. 42 Congresspeople are Jewish, and so it would seem that Jews, more than any other peoples, are overperforming. Yet, we have still not seen a strong Jewish candidate for either party's nomination for president in recent memory. While anti-Semitism still exists in America, it doesn't seem that Americans are overtly anti-Jew. A Gallup Poll from last year suggested that more than 90% of Americans would be open to voting for a Jew. It doesn't look too bad for us. Notable Jews in politics include Joe Lieberman, Russell Feingold, Chuck Schumer, and Rahm Emmanuel.
Nobody really seems to know how many Gays there are in America. Some claim that up to 10% of Americans are homosexual, or bisexual. However, a 2002 national survey pinned the number at just over 5%. Either way, gays are significantly underrepresented in Congress. Currently, just two members are gay, both in the House. They will be joined by Jared Polis, who won a House seat from Colorado last week. A lot of anti-gay feelings exist among Americans, and the Gallup Poll showed that just 55% of Americans would support a gay individual for president, and considering that doesn't even take into account ideological differences, it seems that you guys have a ways to go. Considering that a lot of evangelical Christians think that homosexuality is a choice, and that it's a sin, it would seem like getting a gay person elected would be an uphill climb. Notable homosexuals include Barney Frank and Tammy Baldwin.
Hispanics are the fastest growing group in America today. Latinos are currently making up about 15% of the population of the United States, and represent almost half of the yearly growth. With just 27 representatives in Congress, however, Latinos are underrepresented at the Federal level. There are some prevalent anti-Latino feelings in America, especially regarding illegal immigrants. However, the Gallup Poll showed that Americans would strongly consider voting for a Hispanic, as only 11% dismissed the idea. When Bill Richardson made his run for the Democratic nomination, it seemed that race wasn't a big issue. Not much of a surprise, since he was running alongside a black man and a woman. Notable Hispanics include Richardson, Ken Salazar, and Jose Serrano.
Muslims can probably make the case that they are in fact the most hated peoples in America. Less than 1% of Americans are Muslim and anti-Islamic sentiments run strong in America. After the September 11th attacks, Americans tend to view any Muslim as a potential terrorist, and they are racially profiled, especially at airports. With only 2 Muslims in Congress, it would seem like a longshot for America to elect a Muslim president, at least for a long time. There are people who didn't vote for Barack Obama on the suspicion that he might have been Muslim. Notable Muslims in politics include Keith Ellison, Andre Carson, and that's all I got.
So what do you think? What group is the new black, that faces the toughest challenge in getting one of its own elected? And no cheapos, like first-generation immigrants.