Eight years ago, America elected its first (half) African-American president. Change took us 151 years since slavery was abolished, 146 years since African-American men were given the vote, and 96 years since women were granted suffrage. And change is far from complete. But it’s been almost three months since America elected its first female presidential nominee from a major political party. Tomorrow, Hillary Clinton has a nearly 70% chance of winning the presidency. In a time when systemic racism is more apparent than ever, when it seems that we are on the verge of repealing progress, when our country is fundamentally divided on the type of nation America should be, it is important to recognize how far we have come.
When I was filling out my ballot yesterday, I drew the line between “Hillary Clinton” and the dot next to it, and then sat back for a moment. When I was in the fifth grade, I was too young to fully appreciate Barack Obama’s 2008 victory. But here I was, a freshman in college, voting not only for the first time, but also for a woman. I represent a generation that may, for the first time, take for granted what it means to have a woman on the ballot. If Hillary Clinton becomes president on Tuesday, it will mark the middle of a historical legacy: the first black president, followed by the first female president. Little girls and boys in America will grow up seeing a woman shaking hands with the heads of China and India and Britain and France, a woman behind the table in the Oval Office, a woman giving the State of the Union address. For those kids, it will be commonplace, ordinary and maybe even boring.
As we well know, the 2016 political atmosphere has been toxic. We have had one of the most vitriol-filled races in memory. Despite 2008’s historic victory, we are struggling more than ever to reconcile our nation’s racial history with modern social progress. Both candidates have used this issue to further their own platforms, and Americans will be understandably relieved when the country finally picks the next president on Tuesday evening. Moreover, this election is unique in that the two candidates represent wildly different perspectives on America’s future. So use your vote wisely, and Happy Election Day!
