Am I the only one finding it odd that the US got a black president before a female?

Possibly. Remember, black men got to vote before any women did, in this country.

Thats true, just learned about that in school…

no. remember. all people are created equal so. now. everyone has a chance.

Yes. You are only that thinks it’s odd.

I used to ask this question of people all the time: “who do you think will be president first a white woman or a black man?” I always said a black man because I think sex biases are deeper ingrained than racial biases. But for the record, most of the people I asked thought it would be a white woman.

@laureth- Remember, black men were given the legal right to vote before women, but in many parts of this country they couldn’t exercise that right.

Good point, Chuck. Very good point.

I don’t find it odd, personally, but I am very happy that it happened because I think it is a positive step forward for America. And I honestly believe that one day, America will elect a woman to the presidency also and when that happens, it will be another needed and significant milestone in the history of the United States.

I’m looking forward to a time where a woman and/or minority as president isn’t a news item.
Then, and only then, can we eliminate affirmative action.

I think that some people saw the Hilary vs. Obama race in terms of advancing women’s rights vs. black people’s rights. But to me (I am neither but am a visible minority) it’s a progression in equality to all people who aren’t Caucasian men (although they will reap the benefits too).

No. Men are superior to women in every way imaginable. Even black ones.

Totally kidding.

I’m excited to have a voice in the white house after 200 years that isn’t an old weathy white dude.

It’s not odd to me. Women, historically, have been held down longer the entire world over. Even black men, for instance, who had to deal with racism, still treated a lot of their own black women horribly.

But a door has opened. One day. We will see change.

I love chuck. Even if he does have questionable bipartisan litter views.

You know, Hillary Clinton probably would have been able to clinch the nomination if she had made a couple of different choices. The truth is, Obama is one of the best and brightest politicians I’ve ever seen. So I think there was an element of him being the right person at the right time. But if Clinton had been a slightly different person, or made slightly different decisions, it could have been a different story. Think how close the primaries were.

I took it as a sign that we’re beginning to move past all that. I didn’t vote the way I did because of skin colors or genders. I voted for Obama because I thought he was the best person for the job.

I’m not surprised that we elected a black man before a women, but up until lat year I wouldn’t have believed either was possible so soon. I’m so glad I was wrong!

Why does race or gender have anything to do with qualification for a job? I hear stuff like this a lot, and it almost bothers me because it is almost a racist remark. I know I know, it doesn’t mean you are a racist, but it’s why they don’t ask to put your race on an application sheet, it’s because it doesn’t matter! You are based upon the criteria of the job and the qualifications you have for the position.

In this one, particular case, I think it’s less about Obama’s qualifications for President and more about it being a milestone for people who were once told they could do no such thing. It’s about a social change in the country, about the opening of minds and the changing of paradigms. Everything that it’s about is greater than Obama himself.