In American political ideology and elections, gender and race each have their roles to play. The 2024 presidential election, in particular, has placed a spotlight on US elections Harris Trump, with Kamala Harris, a woman of color, running against Donald Trump, a white man. This unique dynamic is shaping conversations across the political spectrum.
Previously, Trump was set to face off against President Biden, another white man. A 2024 race with Trump vs. Biden would mark a rematch of the 2020 presidential election, something which many Americans did not want to see, per numerous polls.
In fact, when Trump and Biden debated one another last month, Americans took to social media, expressing shock and disappointment that these were the two candidates they had from America’s major parties. Though with Harris now having more than enough delegates to secure the Democratic Party’s nomination, the dynamics of the 2024 presidential race have significantly – and quickly – shifted.
On both sides of the political spectrum, race and gender each have a role to play. To some extent, Republicans and Democrats both have to lean into this. In elections across the country, whichever candidate garners the most votes is the one who will win. This applies to not just presidential races, but also congressional, gubernatorial, and other elections.
In light of this, every single American should understand the implications of race, gender, and politics. These dynamics are constantly shifting and evolving along with the times, national demographics, and other relevant factors.
The Role of Race in US Politics
In the United States, race has been a pivotal role in our nation’s elections. A simple assessment of American political ideology indicates that in many cases, minority voters have been more likely to support the Democratic Party over its main rival, the Republican Party.
Much of this stems from GOP critics that have branded the party as racist and hostile to minority rights. Though, certain people who take issue with the Democratic Party have countered arguments of racism. Sometimes, when conversations about race, gender, and politics emerge, Democrats are accused of believing they’re owed votes from racial minorities in the country. This, too, is frequently branded as racist.
In recent years, the Republican Party has put in work to appeal to minority voters across the country. Much of this can be seen via various GOP outreach programs, along with conservatives who’ve argued that left-wing policies impose greater harms on racial minorities.
Moving ahead, race will persist as a central part of American political ideology. As such, Republicans and Democrats will have to keep working to win over minority voters and present different policy plans as advantageous.
The Impact of Gender in US Politics
Like race, gender is also a very meaningful factor that impacts American elections. When reviewing American political ideology, female voters often side with the Democratic Party over the GOP. However, female Republican voters and politicians are far from an anomaly.
Democrats, over the years, have worked hard to brand the GOP as sexist, misogynist, and hostile to women’s rights. During conversations about gender and politics, left-wing leaders often claim that pro-life views and regulations don’t do women any favors. Recently, Democrats have also started hitting Republicans on issues like IVF and birth control, both of which have unique impacts on women across the country.
Over the years, women have been making increasing gains in the political world. There are currently 153 women in the 118th Congress and 12 female governors across the country.
When assessing politics and gender, one can’t overlook Kamala Harris. Not only is she America’s first female vice president, but she’s also currently running for president of the United States. If Harris wins the November election, she will make history as the first female president.
This, alone, is already adding new levels of conversation to a race that once appeared to be a rematch of Biden vs. Trump.
Intersectionality: Race and Gender in Politics
Today, pundits, officials, and voters across the political spectrum have various thoughts about intersectionality. When discussing race, gender, and politics, some people believe that individuals with higher points of intersectionality have more unique experiences. There’s also a running theory which suggests that the more points of intersectionality someone crosses, the more challenges they may face in the world.
Of course, this theory doesn’t come without criticism or pushback. Conservatives, in particular, have cautioned that intersectionality is essentially the “oppression olympics,” by which people are deemed as either victims or oppressors based on their immutable characteristics. Others believe that intense fixations about intersectionality don’t yield helpful results, even in the realms of race and gender in politics.
Generally, conversations that center on intersectionality are more common on the left side of the political aisle, rather than the right.
The Gender Gap in American Elections
Across the board, women are collectively more likely to vote for Democrats, while men are more likely to back Republicans. Likewise, recent studies have shown that young women today are leaning more to the left of the political spectrum as men are becoming more right-wing. Of course, there are plenty of male Democrats and female Republicans.
In light of politics and gender gaps, neither one of the major parties can ignore the current dynamics. Democrats and Republicans will have to appeal to voters and make the case that their own policies are better than the competition.
Democrats have been working hard on this, claiming that women should back them over Republicans. This is a major talking point in the 2024 election, with Vice President Kamala Harris stating that a second Trump term would create a worse world for women and see established rights rolled back. Republicans, on the other hand, have accused Harris and other Democrats of fear mongering about various conservative policies.
Historical Perspectives on Race and Gender in US Politics
The historical roots of race, gender, and politics are undeniable. 1965’s Voting Rights Act was pivotal in giving minorities the right to vote. Likewise, the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920 granted women the right to vote.
Before women and racial minorities had access to voting rights, they were historically barred from influencing our nation’s political system. This means that candidates on either side of the political spectrum did not have to consider women or minorities when making various laws or appealing to voters.
Today, Democrats regularly make the case that past injustices impact how some people fare in the modern world. This has led to conversations and debates about racial reparations, something which Republicans have warned not only lack merit, but would punish today’s Americans for the sins of their ancestors.
Current Challenges and Opportunities
The 2024 presidential election has shined a spotlight on the various challenges and opportunities pertaining to race, gender, and politics. Front and center is the fact that America has yet to elect its first female president.
Women on both sides of the aisle – including Republican Nikki Haley and Democrat Hillary Clinton – each ran campaigns for the White House. However, this country hasn’t seen any woman hold the position as commander-in-chief. Thus far, Kamala Harris is the only woman in politics who’s come closest, given her current position as vice president.
On social media, many Americans who’ve spoken about Harris’ political campaign are expressing an interest in seeing her as the first female president. There are also growing conversations about whether Harris will choose another woman as her running mate or if she’ll go with a man from one of the nation’s key battleground states.
Strategies for Addressing Race and Gender Disparities in Politics
Addressing race and gender disparities in politics is not without certain controversies. Democrats, to this end, have rallied behind various initiatives like critical race theory (CRT) and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), arguing these will right certain wrongs of the past.
However, many Republicans have railed against both CRT and DEI. The argument here is that rather than focusing on race and gender, the most qualified person for any job or position should be the one who lands it.
When discussing race and gender in politics, certain Democrats have stated that Republicans who oppose CRT and DEI are doing so with racist and misogynistic intentions. Naturally, Republicans have pushed back against this narrative, denying that they harbor any hostilities towards women or racial minorities.
The Future of Race and Gender Dynamics in US Elections: Harris vs. Trump
What is the future of race, gender, and politics in this country? Only time will tell. One thing we can all agree on is that American political ideology is constantly shifting, especially amid demographic changes and more people becoming eligible to vote in our nation’s elections.
The 2024 presidential election is putting race and gender at the top of political conversations. Multiple reports indicate that Democratic and other left-wing voters are fired up about having Vice President Harris as their presumptive nominee. President Biden ultimately passed the baton to her last week after deciding to terminate his own reelection run.
As Harris campaigns against Trump for the White House, race and gender are central parts of her message. The vice president has stated numerous times that under her administration, the middle class and Americans across the board would see massive progress and gains. She’s also argued that if the Trump-Vance ticket wins in November, this would mark a rollback of progress for women and minorities.
Between now and November, Americans can expect to see Republicans and Democrats work to position their own party as most amenable to positive race and gender dynamics. Even after the 2024 presidential race, race and gender will undoubtedly be key themes in various political elections.
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