Letters to the Editor
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Sexism, Racism, Obama and Clinton
Both sexism and racism are real factors in the race between Clinton and Obama. How could they not be, since both sexism and racism are still active facts in American life? The fact that sexism and racism are often expressed in covert ways doesn't make sorting out the influence of these forces in people's electoral choices easier.
I perceive much racism in many of the blindly pro-Clinton supporters and by the Clinton team. To me, this is reflected in the constant diminution of Obama by calling him an "empty suit," by claiming that he has done nothing more than make one speech, or by the tactics of Bill Clinton in trying to reduce Obama to a "Black candidate."
However, I'm not completely closed to the idea that some of my hair-trigger sensibilities on this issue are too easily set off. I think the same sort of problem exists with Clinton supporters. They are so convinced of their candidate's obvious superiority that they believe anyone opposing that candidate must be acting from some vile motive.