May 1, 2019--Black Women

How sadly ironic that the spouse of our first black president and the first women to secure the nomination of a major political party lost the election because black women did not turn out in traditional numbers to vote for her.

The "her," of course, is Hillary Clinton and the "first back president," designated as such by Toni Morrison, is Bill Clinton.

So, if Joe Biden is to have a chance to win, especially in the hotly contested Electoral-College-rich Midwestern states--Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan--he needs to do better with black women.

Initially in the primaries and then, if he is nominated, in the general election.

It is very early to make responsible predictions but since this is a critical issue, following the lead of the New York Times, which published an article Monday about how well Biden might do with African-American voters in these swing states, here are a few observations--

The Times dispatched a reporter to Pennsylvania, where there are many minorities, to get a sense of how Biden is faring with black voters.

Supported by recent polling data, it seems quite well.

At Bobbie's Coffee & Books in Germantown, when talk turned to politics, patrons said that Biden was either at or near the top of their list, mainly because of his partnership with Obama. 

Clara Walker, a small-business owner, said that Biden would have her vote "just for assisting Barack."

This was a common theme--Biden's support for Obama's agenda and how his presence and assistance contributed significantly to Obama's success.

Kerry Chester, a network engineer, said, "I'm going to be completely honest: I think with the country going the way it is, I think we're kind of safer on the Democratic side going with a white man right now."

Working class white folks said much the same thing--

For example, Kevin Frantz, a retried firefighter, said, "I like his sincerity, his personality, his experience. I think he cares."

No wonder worried Trump sent out a stream of nasty tweets about Biden as he made his way successfully across his home state.

One further thought about Biden's appeal to black voters--

In most work situations African Americans report to white people. But in Obama's White House, white workers, beginning with Biden, reported to a black man--the president.

Biden was known to have had nothing but fondness and respect for Obama and was as loyal a second banana as a vice president has ever been. This has been widely noticed among African Americans and contributes in uncountable ways to his rapport with the former president and through that relationship to black voters.

We will learn more as the campaigns develop, but at this early stage it appears that Biden will not have a Hillary problem.

March 14, 2018--Our First Female President

At first I didn't know if I should take her seriously. 

When Rona said, "Remember when Toni Morrison referred to Bill Clinton as our first black president?"

"I do remember that and how I thought at the time that though I sort of got it, it sounded way over the top."

"Right," Rona said, "In the New Yorker she said something like, 'In spite of his white skin, he's our first black president. Blacker then any actual black person who could ever be elected in our children's lifetime.'"

"Back then many people thought this was a compliment to Clinton. Later, most came to feel it wasn't that at all but rather a sad commentary that America was so unready to elect an actual African-American person that he was the closest thing to a black person we could elect to the presidency since he at least had some soul."

"You're remembering correctly."

"So what's on your mind about this?"

"As long as you understand in advance that what I am about to say isn't something I agree with--quite the contrary--but rather a perception based on refutable stereotypes."

"This sounds mysterious. I can't wait to hear."

"Not unlike what Morrison said about Clinton, it occurs to me, again, if you believe the stereotypes, that Donald Trump is our first female president."

"What!" I screamed, leaping from my chair as if I had been electrocuted.

Waiting for me to calm down, Rona said, "Make a list of the stereotypes that are applied to women and I think you'll see what I mean."

I couldn't begin to find words to enter into this discussion. So Rona proceeded to make the list--

Children come first (certainly, Ivanka)
Works from home (in Trump Tower or the White House)
Cares more then most men about appearance 
Is vain (Trump's obsession with his hair)
Is Narcissistic
He's fearful
Not as strong as typical men (Trump was a draft avoider)
Is flirty
Emotional
Impulsive
Intuitive
Instinctual

"Especially," Rona said, "in regard to his inclination to make emotional and impulsive decisions, his behavior as president is stereotypically 'female.' In fact, he prides himself on having the 'best' instincts."

I was flabergasted. "And so?"

"And so what?" I finally managed to stammer.

"So, by these stereotypes he comes off as pretty feminine. Again, not that I agree with stereotyping. But as they apply to Trump or to men and women in general, though they are becoming more and more outdated, he's as much like a 'traditional' woman as a stereotypical man."

"But he also fits some male stereotypes," I said, "Like he's macho, a braggart, chauvinistic, a male supremacist, thinks with his genitals  and is full of bluster and bravado.  How, for example, he preposterously said after the Parkland School shootings that he would have entered the building to protect the children even if he was unarmed."

"In any case, it's another way to think about him. Another way to help understand his appeal to so many."

"True."

"But most important, and ironic, is that the very qualities he has in abundance--his impulsiveness, his inclination to lead by emotion and instinct (alleged female characteristics)--are the very things men used to cite--and many continue to do so--as the reasons why women are unfit to be trusted to serve as CEO's much less commander-in-chief."

"Interesting," I said. 

"In other words," Rona said, "how it was felt that by nature, by temperament, women are not qualified to be president, especially when menstruating. Remember all that about PMS? But here we have Trump, who is more emotion-driven than almost anyone I know--male or especially female--sitting at the head of the table in the Situation Room."