How far we've come...

I have this constant running argument with my husband on how far we've come as a nation with regard to race and gender. His usual shtick involves one of my favorite people - Condoleeza Rice. He'll say something to the effect that the secretary of state is both female and of color, so you've got to admit we've evolved a whole bunch. He knows that this will cause me to turn a funny color and launch some soda out of my nose before I start gasping and wheezing about her being a LIAR and a really good Republican lap dog, at which point he can call me a racist / misogynist and giggle smugly. He loves this routine.

So now I have a counter argument. Please note the evolved race and gender neutral tone of the 2008 presidential race. (I will put aside my general well known contention that we, the American people, pretty much get to choose nothing in 2008, because IF the election isn't fixed like the last two, we will still be limited to the candidates preselected FOR us by Corporate America, but I digress...) Let's see, where do I begin to espouse the fairness so apparent everywhere in the electoral process... Let's start with the obvious. Why is it that Senator Clinton is routinely referred to as "Hillary" and Senator Obama is nearly always "Barack?" Are we all BFF with these two and strictly on a first name basis cuz we love them so? How come you never hear the white boys referred to as good ol' Mitt or John? Don't you find it just a teeny bit demeaning? And then there are the other terms for Ms. Clinton.... everyone seems to be fond of "the bitch" but Imus prefers "Satan." Boy, that implies the respect accorded to a former First Lady and two term Senator (something no one else has ever pulled off.)

How about Rush Limbaugh and his version of "Barack the Magic Negro.?" Rush seems to think so, but many ponder if Obama is black enough. Both Clinton and Obama seem uncomfortable with the race issue - both trying to exploit and avoid it at the same time - and that is only going to get uglier as this goes on, I imagine. And speaking of ugly, how come Clinton's looks seem to be such a topic of conversation? Except for the occasional quip about John Edward's hair, no one seems to think looks should be important, right? What's really important is likability!

I am SO depressed.