First things first. We need to win this presidential election. Period. The country is going down the tubes. I wanted to say this first because I don't want this discussion to center on whether I will support the nominee. Because I will. Absolutely. I have worked for and contributed to the democratic candidates for decades. As a African American woman, I have practiced political pragmatism by necessity. I know that most change is hard fought and incremental. I have supported candidates that I did not love because I thought they were the better option. I will continue to do so.
I admit a bias toward the new generation of candidates. Of all genders and races. I frankly want a candidate who is not retraining him or herself. Who has not had to adjust to women and minorities in society and in power. Who is not trying to undo negative attitudes learned while growing up.
Having said all of this, I am bothered by the nomination process. At a cellular level. I am bothered by the debate on the right and the left that we must nominate a white male to win. The right fears the nomination of a white male and (some) on the left feel that only a white male can win. I have read on DK that we need to nominate a white male because we nominated a black and female in the last two cycles (out of 45!). For real. The argument goes that things are so bad right now vis-à-vis racism and sexism that we need to nominate a candidate to appease them, i.e., a white male. Well, I’m not signing on to this sentiment any more.
I reject the notion that we need a white male savior. I resent when I hear that Biden is “electable.’ This “electability” underscores the perception that white males are more bankable. Better. The Gold Standard. Older black people have the expression, that the white man’s ice is colder. Women and minorities are viewed as risky. Less than. Not quite ready for prime time. I feel that some on the left’s use “electability” as a way to perpetuate the existing power structure. Akin to the identity politics argument. My view is that this argument (in part) reflects genuine concerns about electability but also reflects internal ambiguity about the changing face of leadership that is often unacknowledged or denied. Our party is reluctant to acknowledge these uncomfortable truths. That we are all subject to implicit bias. That we all use internal classifications in our decision-making. That we have been conditioned to view the white patriarchy as most powerful. To deny this is folly. I think the denial on the left is actually exacerbated by the blatant racism of the current administration. We all want no part of the ugly percepts of racism that are before us so we redouble our internal efforts to reject that we have any bias.
The meme of a white savior coming in to save us troubles me greatly. I want say that I have never felt this way. That would be lying. I have had these thoughts. But, I reject it with all my heart. It is not all about politics. It is about my stand for my race, for my gender and my views of self. It is my rejection of internal psychological structures of racism and de jure discrimination that have pervaded this country for centuries. It is for my son and for the children I work with who are battling some of the same things I have fought in the workplace and in society for decades. I am fighting for better. I am no longer willing to accept less than full recognition and partnership. Where does this leave me vis-à-vis this nomination process? I don't know. But, I do know that I am unapologetically pushing for full representation and more diversity in national leadership.