[mommamarci]

I live in a state where the primary never matters. The candidates are always decided before we even get close to the primary. Except this year.

I was talking to my sister, who is not a transracial mama. I told her I was torn as to who I wanted to vote for. Then I went on to say how it would be great to have an AA person as president. It would be a role model for my boys. It would break down a barrier. I would never make my decision solely on race, but if I think all candidates are equally capable, I would probably vote for the AA candidate. My sister thought I was nuts. She thought I was being ridiculous and that race should never, ever enter into the equation. How do other parents of AA kids feel? Two candidates with the exact same beliefs and policies, one is CC, one is AA. Do you vote based on race to improve things for your child?

**I am not specifically referring to this presidential race, just a question in general.**

[JenC]

Marci, I live in the same state you do. If all things were truly the exact same, I'd vote for the AA canidate, mainly for the reasons you listed - to be a role model, to break down stereotypes, to show it can be done.

[loveajax]

It's funny because I have a daughter so I feel in a way that either way this is going to be a groundbreaking year...just hope it carries over to the general election and beyond. I'm actually kind of "torn" between the two candidates but it is out of my hands now and in yours!

[aclee]

because this year candidates aren't exactly the same...but given your situation, I would also vote AA. This yeah would be even tougher if the candidates were exactly the same with the same platform, since one is female and one is AA. Tough call for a momma! But to me...candidates can't ever be exactly the same. You still get different vibes from different people, and they have different personalities. I know my inlaws voted for Obama (in the primaries) out of some misguided attempt to support our adopting Tyler...they have no idea what either candidate believes in so I was upset they voted based on color. That doesn't send the right message to our youth about the importance of our government either...

[mommamarci]

Originally Posted by aclee

because this year candidates aren't exactly the same...but given your situation, I would also vote AA. This yeah would be even tougher if the candidates were exactly the same with the same platform, since one is female and one is AA. Tough call for a momma! But to me...candidates can't ever be exactly the same. You still get different vibes from different people, and they have different personalities. I know my inlaws voted for Obama (in the primaries) out of some misguided attempt to support our adopting Tyler...they have no idea what either candidate believes in so I was upset they voted based on color. That doesn't send the right message to our youth about the importance of our government either...

It is somewhat hypothetical. I know the candidates are different, but I am torn. There are things I like and dislike about both. That is when I mentioned to my sister that since I think both would do a good job, I might throw race in as a factor determining who I choose. She was appalled. I was a political science major so I know a lot about politics and would NEVER vote solely based on race or gender.

Glad to know other mamas are thinking the same things I am! I just don't think my sis could ever understand because she does not have AA children.

[dragonfly1234]

Interesting topic!

Hypothetical.....I would love to have a role model for my son. What a great legacy to have him to grow up with the thought that "yes you could be president one day". But real life I vote for the candidate that is going to be the best based on his or hers agenda(no race or gender in the mix), ideas and how are they going to make this a better place for my family to live.

[musemoon]

Well...I'm raising a daughter so this is an interesting hypothetical. I am actually would probably vote for the woman candidate if both were equal. The reason being, men (of any color) to verying degrees are still considered better candidates than women for positions of power. Therefore I think, for my daughter seeing a woman in power in America would be really amazing! However if my choice is between a black man and a woman.... neither is a bad choice in my book.

[Cjmeck]

I agree with you 100%. Assuming both candidates are equal otherwise, yes, I would probably vote the AA candidate. How incredible would it be for my children to grow up knowing they really can do ANYTHING and EVERYTHING? I especially think this would be so uplifting to those with AA boys.

[BethanyB]

mommamarci, I think you hit the nail on the head when you said your sister is not a transracial mama.

Being parents to AA children give us a new outlook on life. And as much as my family loves my kids, I really don't think my sister (their aunt) really truly understands what people of color have been through in our country. I don't think people really understand how wonderful it is to see a black man actually have a shot at the presidency.

A friend of mine from work is CC and adopted an AA child just like me. Well she was saying how excited she was about Obama and another coworker (CC) said in a fresh way, "You're racist."

I was like, huh? I flat out told her that I would never base my vote on race alone but to say that I should not be excited about a black candidate is crazy. What a statement it would make for AA people everywhere. There was a time when we never thought an AA man could even get this far. And that time was not that long ago. LOL!

It's exciting to have both a woman and a black man to actually have this chance. I happen to really like Obama and agree with many of his standpoints. But if there were two equal candidates, I would vote for the AA one in a heartbeat. White people have run this country long enough, give someone else a chance if he or she is truly capable.

I would give anything for my kids to grow up knowing that AA's can achieve one of the highest positions in the world. I think it would be amazing!

But I don't think your sister understands that. She may not ever understand. Just print this thread out and show her we all agree with you and then say nanny, nanny poo, poo! LOL!

[vernellinnj]

I can't say that I would automatically vote for the black candidate if all things were equal. It would depend on who I liked best...you know, who do I most see as a friend in my head....smile.

Perhaps it's the single woman in me...but, as a single woman doing it all by herself (with the help of the Lord), I relate most to the woman!

As the mom of a son, I do think it's a wonderful thing for him to see. But, I'm most interested in my son's heart and his character and for these reasons the perfect role model could very well be someone with a much less impressive title...

[Saya]

Hmmm - interesting conversation. I should say that my child is Hispanic and not AA, so I'm not in exactly the same position as many of you.

In terms of ceilings being broken, I am very excited about the idea of EITHER a female or an AA Democratic nominee. It will be historic no matter what happens, and will hopefully serve to cast off some of America's assumptions about leadership capabilities based on race and gender.

I like them both alot. I voted for Obama in my state's primary, and while race played a small part in my decision-making, I don't think the mere fact that he is AA was a part of the equation for me. Rather, I think that Obama's viewpoint about the role of race in this country is one of the smartest, if not the smartest I've ever heard on the political stage. His speech on race was incredible. If race influenced my vote at all it wasn't because he's Black, but because we need someone at the helm of this country who has a thoughtful, insightful understanding of race in both a historical and current context in order to make real change around these issues. THAT's what I want my for daughter.

[Cjmeck]

Originally Posted by Saya

Hmmm - interesting conversation. I should say that my child is Hispanic and not AA, so I'm not in exactly the same position as many of you.

In terms of ceilings being broken, I am very excited about the idea of EITHER a female or an AA Democratic nominee. It will be historic no matter what happens, and will hopefully serve to cast off some of America's assumptions about leadership capabilities based on race and gender.

I like them both alot. I voted for Obama in my state's primary, and while race played a small part in my decision-making, I don't think the mere fact that he is AA was a part of the equation for me. Rather, I think that Obama's viewpoint about the role of race in this country is one of the smartest, if not the smartest I've ever heard on the political stage. His speech on race was incredible. If race influenced my vote at all it wasn't because he's Black, but because we need someone at the helm of this country who has a thoughtful, insightful understanding of race in both a historical and current context in order to make real change around these issues. THAT's what I want my for daughter.

Nicely written! I completely agree!

[marcav]

Well here's the latest Clinton gaffe:

Hillary adviser called Indiana voters "worthless white n--gers," Stephanopoulos watches and says nothing

link:
AMERICAblog: A great nation deserves the truth

[veggiegirl]

If all things were equal, I would also vote for the AA male candidate. While it would be neat to have a woman as president, at least my children can see women in other wonderful careers this very day - there are a lot of female doctors, lawyers, politicians, college professors, teachers, etc. However, there are NOT many AAs of either gender in these careers - at least not that I see and we live in a large city.

[Yash]

I've been thinking about this one. I would vote for the woman. While race is a huge issue in this country, I believe this country is much more sexist than it will ever be racist. And sadly it's not just this country, but this world. I would want my son and daughter to see a woman president. IF all things were equal. I would want my son, my nephews, to see that a woman is just as smart as a man and can run a country just as well as a man can despite the things they see and hear as they grow up.

If someone harms a minority with malicious and racist intent, we all rally against the racism. Yet a woman is raped and it becomes a debate about the circumstances, what she was wearing, how many men she slept with previously. A woman kills her abusive husband and gets longer in prison, then if her husband had killed her during one of their fights.

I don't know when the sexist teachings begin, but it's ingrained early as my newly turned 7-year-old nephew informed post-Christmas that his female classmate got a boy toy as a Christmas present. He couldn't explain why it was a boy toy, but he just knew it was.