Some Wounds Run Deep

Before you pass this up as another boring politics post, read on. This election promised to be historic. For the first time our country has presidential candidates from two demographics that are targets of discrimination. One is a woman, the other African-American. That is obvious just by looking at either of them.

We are challenged in our society to notice, but not judge others based on their gender or race. We are confronted when we even bring up some of the differences and distinctions, unless we value them. We even go so far as to specifically celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of people from different gender and race groups.

Despite tremendous changes in people's perceptions of women and African-Americans in society there still festers an underlying bitterness that divides us along gender and race lines. Women had to fight in this country to have the rights of men in the home, booth and workplace. African-Americans had to fight for the recognition as humans, to be free, to own and work, and to have access to things others enjoy. These fights were hard-fought and people were hurt in the conflict.

We still encounter the names, misperceptions, and inappropriate insenuations. Some people still carry those biases that were so long accepted. However, this is no longer the norm. It is unacceptable to discriminate or disenfranchise based on gender or race.

The 2008 Democratic nomination will prove historic. Among all of the potential candidates, a woman and a person of African decent became the contenders for the nomination. Today, though, we still have to acknowledge and address the resentment that leads people to slander and ostracize a woman and a black man based on those traits and the life experiences associated with them.

Because Ms. Ferraro brings up her candidacy and being chosen because she was woman, and because Rev. Wright preaches about conspiracies that reinforce his experiences our nation still has to heal. Because people are still judged -- whether implied or implicitly -- based on gender or race we still need to heal. Because people are willing to twist and exploit these experiences we need to heal.

P.S. Most of this was written before Mr. Obama's profound speech delivered this day in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He expresses some of these sentiments, which shows their validity.