Race and gender play in US politics

THIS is the first time that a woman and an African-American are in the race to seek nomination as the presidential candidate from the Democratic Party. African-Americans have contested for the nomination of the Democratic Party, but a woman joins for the first time in a presidential race. In 1984, Geraldine Ferraro ran for vice-president with former vice-president Walter Mondale from the Democratic Party, but both lost. Incidentally, neither has an African-American nor a woman risen from the Republican Party to contest in a presidential race.
Although the 15th Amendment granted African-Americans suffrage in 1870, unjust social obstacles, such as poll tax and literary tests debarred them from voting. It was only when women marched, picketed and went to jail to establish their suffrage rights, as indicated in the 19th Amendment, was their right of franchise restored in 1920. It was not until 1965 that this constitutional right was implemented.
Racial discrimination was so pervasive in the United States that it gave rise to social unrest and population migration, which culminated in the Civil Rights Movement in 1955. Among the many poignant moments of the movement, Martin Luther King Jr.'s passionate "I have a dream" speech, preceded by a march by the poor people to the nation's capital, was an exemplary pivotal moment of the movement.
Following the assassination of Martin Luther King in 1968, riots broke out in every major city in the United States, and some cities were even burnt down. The Civil Rights Movement succeeded in bringing about such laws as the civil rights act of 1964, which banned discrimination in employment practices and public accommodation; the voting rights act of 1965; immigration and nationality services act of 1965, which changed immigration policy; and civil rights act of 1968, which banned discrimination in the sale or rental of housing.
The country has been divided into red and blue states, which means the voting population tends to vote Republican in the red states and Democrats in the blue states. Generally, the African-American population resides mostly in the blue states as well as in Washington, DC.
The income gap in the African-American household has widened in the past three decades, specifically a decline in income among the male wage earners. Those were offset by female wage earners, who are in the workforce in larger numbers compared to their male counterparts. Representative Charles Rangel wrote "the overall poverty rate for African-Americans is nearly double that of the population at large; annual household income is $ 12,000 less; and family income nearly $ 17,000 less. Clearly, moving the barriers to racial equality did not eliminate the income inequality that persists today."
In education, African-Americans are lagging behind the rest of the nation. Out of 3 million Americans, according to US census bureau of 2006, 12.8 percent belongs to the black community in America.
The dream of Martin Luther King Jr. remains unfulfilled till today, as can be seen in the disparity in income, racial discrimination, undermining of civil rights, and the injustice that was demonstrated after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans in 2005. African-American are the majority in New Orleans.
Despite all these societal challenges there is silver lining at the end of the tunnel. The emergence of Senator Barack Obama in US politics is indicative that the dream of Martin Luther King Jr. is neither lost nor forgotten. Obama appears to be a torch- bearer of that dream. I am an optimist in saying that Obama is the voice of the present generation and the catalyst for transformation of US politics, that will open floodgates of opportunity to all sectors of the society. Obama has charmed the younger generation to come out of their houses to exercise their rights of franchise and register their voices on issues affecting America today. The mass movement of political allegiance of Democrats, independents and Republicans alike could be described as historical realignment in US politics.
It is amazing to note that the veteran and respected Senator Edward Kennedy, his son Patrick Kennedy, House Representative from Rhode Island, and the daughter of John F. Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy, endorsed Barack Obama on January 28 in front of a massive gathering at the American University in Washington DC. Senator Kennedy's endorsement certainly offers a big boost to Obama's campaign in the ensuing primary elections in 22 states on February 5. In his endorsement speech, Senator Kennedy said that Obama had "extraordinary gifts of leadership and character, matched to the extraordinary demands of this moment in history."
Former President Bill Clinton, spouse of Senator Hillary Clinton, who is presidential hopeful, in fact, vitiated the political climate by accusing Senator Barack Obama of concocting a fairy tale around Obama's opposition to the war in Iraq. Senator Hillary also cast aspersion on the role of Martin Luther King in the civil rights movement, but gave credit to Lyndon Johnson for signing civil rights act. This is seen as being racially tainted.
This year, the wind is moving in favour of the Democratic Party since the mid-term congressional election in November, 2006, because of the many failures of the Bush administration. If the candidates and surrogates continue to conduct their campaign that a black man and a white woman are in the race, many voters might start giving the Republicans a second look.
Gloria Steinem, feminist leader, in an article in the New York Times on January 8, holds the opinion that there is more prejudice against women than against black men in American history.
The only hope is Barack Obama, who has not yet fallen in the trap. Barack Obama addresses the rich and the poor, black and white, Hispanic and Asian, and, in this sense, he is the voice of this generation like Martin Luther King or John F.Kennedy in their time.
Barack Obama's successful inspirational note has been reflected in the endorsement by Caroline Kennedy, daughter of John F.Kennedy. In her words: "I have never had a president who inspired me the way people tell me that my father inspired them. But, for the first time, I believe I have found the man who could be that president -- not just for me, but for a new generation of Americans." It is a great tribute to Senator Obama indeed.
As viewer and participant in the election campaign in America since 2004, I have never seen such a tidal wave in the primary elections here. Turn out of voters in congressional or presidential elections is very low in comparison with European countries. The trend appears to have changed as a result of Senator Barack Obama's inspirational and passionate appeal for future hope by bringing about changes in old politics in Washington.
Record turnout of voters in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina caucuses and primary elections is an indicator that Barack Obama is the unifying force in US politics, that he has the vision to bring back the image of the country and restore confidence of the people in the government. Senator Barack Obama is a great asset for the Democratic Party, whether he wins or loses the nomination.

Mohammad Amjad Hossain, former Bangladesh diplomat writes from Virginia.