Gohar Blog # 15

Gohar Blog # 15



“Pat Schroeder Reviews the Clinton Campaign” (the interview):

The interview with Pat Schroeder, the former democratic congresswoman from Colorado and the president of American Association of Publishers, touched upon the issues surrounding the current presidential elections and Hillary Clinton’s campaign. Senator Schroeder mentioned a few issues regarding the reactions of the American public to the possibility of having a female president that hits very close to home and reminds us that the fight for equal rights for women is far from over.
At first Sen. Schroeder mentions the American public’s attitude towards the race between democratic nominee, Sen. Barak Obama, and Sen. Hillary Clinton. Sen. Schroeder is not happy when she hears various media correspondents making sexist remarks and considers it an immature behavior that should not be broadcasted. She thinks that the majority of American public is ready to accept a female president, but there are forces behind the curtains that refuse to grow up and accept that women can be as effective politicians as men. Women are capable of taking tough challenges and perform under pressure as Sen. Schroeder points out the exceptional performance of Sen. Clinton during the various debates and campaign activities.
Sen. Schroeder thinks that America has to grow be accustomed to female leadership and equal rights for women because it is essential for having a truly democratic nation. She thinks the issue of sexism has to be battered some more in order to open the eyes of the American public.


“Gloria Steinem on Gender, Race in Election 2008”:

The interview with Gloria Steinem, the cofounder of the Woman’s Media Center and a veteran feminist, brings to life the long debated issue of race vs. gender. The upcoming presidential election is a unique time because there are two viable and worthy candidates on the democratic ballot, Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barak Obama. Sen. Hillary Clinton is a qualified female candidate and Sen. Barak Obama is an influential African American. The two candidates have divided the democratic crowd on the issues of race and gender and which one should be prioritized.
Gloria Steinem thinks that the perception of the issue by the American public is wrong and people are missing the point. She thinks that people’s feelings towards race or gender should not be divided but rather united. The public should not compare the issues and try to choose the better one, but they have to understand that the issue of race and gender go hand-in-hand. She mentions the mixed emotions when first black female was elected as an official in the U.S. government and how it changed the white man only perception of the U.S. politicians.
In my opinion we, as the public, have to view this election as a huge opportunity for the progress of democracy and equality in the United States of America. No matter who is the democratic nominee for this election, it has to be clear for us that both candidates are capable and worthy of bringing change to our system of government.