Erica,
I don’t think that people actually mind the race, gender thing being brought up I just think when that is all that is being talked about then it gets to be a bit much. Especially when it is trying to down someone. Yes race and gender will always be an issue for some but not all of us. I think a lot of us have past that mentality and moved on to not looking at the race or nationality of someone but at who they are as a person.

But when the issues are getting overlooked and all that is being preached about is the race thing then that REALLY gets on my nerves! This election needs to stay on track so we can elect the best one for the job to get this country back on track. We don’t need to get off track on something else that shouldn’t have anything to do with this election in the first place.

Cynthia, Covington, Ga.

The American People deserve answers and not speeches that generate HOPE. WE THE PEOPLE, require a President who is not afraid to inform us of his or her plans to take our country to the mountains of peace and prosperity and leave these valleys of politics. Debate is challenge, and only the most courageous seeks out that challenge. Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Obama are two of my heroes, but only one seems to show enough courage to actually “turn the pages of history”. WE THE PEOPLE, deserve more debates to help strengthen our votes so that we too may be “SUPER DELEGATES”.

P.S.

ERICA HILL IS A BRILLIANT JOURNALIST. HAPPY VALENTINES DAY ERICA!

While I am reluctant to vote for Obama, my seventeen year old son would if he could. It is not because of race but because of the way his name is spelled for me. That just scares me and for no good reason.

I have never been to NYC either and would love to go. I bet you are loving it.

Erica:

First of all, welcome to the 360 team. I think years ago, we would have never seen an african american or a woman run for President, let alone make it this far in the campaign.

However, I think that things have changed (for the better) and people nowadays are more interested in who is the best person for the job and not so worried about the color of their skin or their gender.

Kim, Bolingbrook, IL

i listened to you laugh about congress’ involvement in steroid use last night
maybe before you have a joke about it you should see on whose expense you’re having such fun
there are children out there who have suffered life altering brain injuries , bodily altered for life , dead ,etc. all because they thought big time wrestlers were so ripped and cool ,pro atheletes with big big money (those you ppl prop up as role models on the boob tube) and you are personally responsible for your quip remarks and lack of foresight , you should be ashamed
lastly , congress never wanted to be involved , they asked major sports to self police
but when the population gets ripped off at large congress is the representatives of the people when the people demand action ,you understand that right ? funny ?
i hope congress gets involved in who the idiots are that give us our news these days on ourPUBLIC AIRWAVES (the boob tube) i’d rather get information from someone brilliant and classy than from what we’ve got now
ed murrow warned ; if television isn’t used as an instrumen to teach ,then it’s just a box ,with lights and wires -
and that’s what we’ve got
james g. keys (elyria,ohio)

Erica

Growing up I never thought I would see the day that a woman and an African American could run for President. Things have come a long way since the first election I worked in as a young teen in 1968 for Bobby Kennedy. The young generation flocking around Obama reminds me of that campaign and makes me realize that somehow unwittingly we did make a difference in the years since then.

I try not to think of stereotypes but take each person as they come - to judge them not on their race or gender or hearsay but on how they interact with me. I’ve tried to pass that on to my children as well.

I’ve worked for several large companies that hired people from all over the world - India, China, the Phillipines, the Middle East, the US, Europe, etc etc. To me they were just co-workers, nothing less and nothing more and the only thing I judged them on was how well they did their job.
.
Annie Kate
Birmingham AL

Hey Erica,
the “don’t judge a book by it’s cover”- subject is very interesting in general and should always be discussed.

As far as politicians go, it’s beyond me that someone could NOT vote for a person JUST because of their gender or ethnicity.

I grew up in western Europe, and there we pay attention to what the politician stands for, not to wether he or she married the college sweet heart, wether they are divorced, believe in God or wether the wife can bake good cookies and looks prim and proper ! (ok, thanks to Mr Sarkozy there’s attention on that this time around; whatever…)

So, sorry, I don’t get the race/gender “problem”. And I’m glad I don’t.

I come from a family of strong women and mixed races, so I was pretty excited about having a female running for president and when I first heard Obama I was pretty excited about him. I didn’t see a black man or a mixed race man, I heard a 30 minute speach about hope and change. I can see how a young idealistic person could have starts in the eyes. But I began to listened to what he said and his other actions, and my excitement for Obama was dashed. Here is why:
1) I heard him say he would give American driver’s license to people who are not legal citizens. My first thought was the role a bad driver’s license played on 9/11 and I wondered how many such people would love that new plan!
2) I heard him say he thought America should send children of illegal aliens to school…because they were here through no fault of their own…well so are children who are born to American citizens! So the hope he mentioned was for non Americans I guess…not much of a change.
3) I did not think he did well in the debates
4) I think he has a chip on his shoulder and can dish out the bad spew, but can’t take it. It seems he expects special treatment…how would that play out if another world leader spewed back? Would he take his toys and go home? We already have a president like that.
5)On stage at the S.C. debate he made a joke that he would have to see Bill Clinton dance before he would know if he was a brother…if Edwards or Clinton had said that ,he would have screamed about it and tried to spin it against them.
I have seen more than i need to from him and his wife to know they have two sides…and one side is not so hope filled and pretty.

Dear Erica Hill,

I am taking a class in women studies “Women and the Media” -in order to fulfill my social requirements- at which we are discussing stereotypes at the moment. Maybe you’ll find the following of my readings interesting: “Provocateur” (author: Cortese).

Yep! After witnessing the merciless mauling of Katie Couric’s image in the media (she’s also majorly being discussed in our class), I have had a bunch of toughts on stereotypes.

Happy Valentine’s Day!
Hope your husband cooks you some dinner!!

Ratna, New York, NY

The question must be asked? If Obama was a white man, running the exact same campaign, would the African-American community be voting for him? The answer is a resounding “NO”! It is still ALL about color. It could be any black person, and the turnout would be the same. If he was white, they would vote for Hillary, because they have always believed that the Clinton’s care about minorities. But color before loyalty, OBVIOUSLY! The youth follow whatever is trendy… I hope they enjoy being unemployed, which is a rising trend that will continue with Obama or McCain. The next trend will be hanging your head in disgrace because you can’t admit that you jumped on an empty bandwagon. There will be no more stadium tour to lift you up… so you will have to wallow in self-pity, and Obama will have forgotten you exist. I am an African-American woman, and I am voting for Hillary, because I believe she knows the workings of ALL areas of politics, and she actually has a plan, beyond great speeches. She will work hard and she will vote, other than “present”. There will be moaning & gnashing of teeth, come 2009, but IT WILL BE TOO LATE!! May God have mercy on us.

I don’t know if I qualify as the younger generation (I am 28 years old) but I do see more and more of a change when it comes to race and gender in the U.S. The old stereotypes that my parents grew up with didn’t make sense to me. I wasn’t raised in the 60’s. I was raised in the 80’s and early 90’s where race and gender were less and less divisive.

Not only that, but my wife is a teacher and her high school students are even less divided by race and gender. She teaches in a school that is very mixed racially. As she talks with her African-American students something interesting always comes up. Not only do they see less division between the races in their generation, but they even see less need for programs that were once needed in previous generations.

We needed programs like “affirmative action” in previous generations. But while racism still exists in America, the need for these programs in the next generation has diminished. Many of my wife’s African-American students are insulted by the idea of “affirmative action.” They would much rather succeed based on their own merit apart from any government assistance.

Our great divide for this new century will not be gender or race. The strongest stereotypes that divide us right now, even among younger generations, are socio-economic. Middle-class blacks and whites get along much better than they do with their lower-class counterparts of the same race.

It doesn’t surprise me that whites can easily vote for a well-educated, middle-upper class black man. It doesn’t surprise me that men can vote for a well-educated, upper class woman. It would shock me if a lower-class, under-educated person of any race or gender got any votes at all.

Hey Erica,
A blast of fresh air mid-Winter … Hallejujah!
Being non-environmentally green is partly responsible for why some youth look beyond stereotypes, it’s unique to the individual. The nasty thing about quote unquote minorities is when it becomes taboo for anyone in a supposed majority to say anything contrarian. Is it possible that a black man has prejudices against a white woman or an octogenarian has issues with teenagers without there being alternate layers? I owned a pink, plastic kaleidoscope as a wee one & I’m constantly reminded how one turn this way or that changes the picture. Being a 42 year old white male, if I say I’m against Senator Obama becoming President due to his political inexperience, my argument soon deflates thanks to my “majority” status & I’m branded with an ‘R’. Prejudice plays a part in everyday life under the pseudonym of choice & everything twisted within an inch of its life gains a life all its own.
Keep stirring the pot Erica, it makes for a more delectable stew!

Erica:

Let me begin by telling your writing is wonderful and very concise.
Now, onto stereotypes: they can be dangerous. I hate hearing about the way some people feel about Obama’s Muslim connection and those feelings are derivative of stereotypes. I support Obama and I think he’s amazing.

Go get a picture of Abe Lincoln, Erica! By today’s beauty pageant standards, he’d be judged as something from a carnival sideshow, but history (and the general public) view him as one of our most capable, respected Presidents.

It’s still a long way until November. Just like in dating, flash has got to give way to substance sooner or later. I think Americans are looking for something real. Yes, it’s important to present a pleasant, professional image but your friend just may be right - people respond to those that make them feel comfortable.

I once saw a story about a fashion model school that held their “final exam” by making the prospective models walk down a runway in high heels, full makeup, and a heavy duty black plastic garbage bag with a few holes cut in it and a belt around the waist to make it look like a dress.

The point of the exercise was that if the model could pull off a confident walk down the runway in a garbage bag, she’d learned everything she needed to know about how to “sell” whatever she needed to sell.

Some people have it, some people don’t.

And that “it” is what people respond to.

Happy Valentines!

Very Nice Piece Erica. Race is definitely an issue in this campaign and everywhere else in this world, people are judged by there skin colour and not by the content of their character, like the old saying goes “you can lead the horse by the water but you cant make it drink”,some people will never change….. anyways I’m looking forward for Special on Friday Night “Uncovering America -Race,Gender,& Politics”

Erica,

Well, if you’re not part of that generation, maybe you’re just ahead of your time.
Thanks for giving us something to make us think.

Naomi, BE, Switzerland

Ok, I hadn’t quite figured where you were going with the writeup until you brought it around to that “this is the President of the United States [we're voting for]“.

For my part, you can add liking someone based on how they make me feel to the list of awful criteria for choosing a President. We got our present President because people chose him on his “likeability”, because they could see having a beer with him. Guess what, I don’t choose my plumber based on how I’d like to share a beer with him, I don’t choose my accountant that way, WHY in the BLUE BLAZES should we be choosing our Presidents based on his beer-guzzling affability???? How about their intelligence, general awareness, tactical and strategic awareness, how informed they are, how good about collecting and processing information and making inferences, their track record at working with people of contrary points of view. This person is going to have to represent us to leaders of countries who are going to have their own vested interests for their own people - do we want a back-slapping bonhomous bar-fly or a President who can represent and not alienate us? Me, I want a President who’s not afraid of information and uses his head more than the seat of his pants for tactical decision-making.

I HATE that you guys in the media keep spinning people up in the “hey you’re choosing a President, how does he make you feel” and I wish you’d focus on the issues instead of this playground politics.

But as for your bigger point - I doubt that anyone will tell you that their thinking is rooted in stereo-types but sure, I have no use for stereotypes either. I like Clinton, I like Obama and I like McCain just fine. Except that I don’t drink beer, I can also see having one with each of the above :-). But who do I think will be a good President? I’d say: Clinton, McCain and Obama in order of best to worst. See my criteria above for why I choose the way I choose.

Race and gender issuse have and will always exist. It’s now being discussed more openly BECAUSE of who is running for the world’s TOP job; Obama and Clinton.
And it is a sign of the times, that we have over come so much in regards to stereotyping that we are here, today, with these choices. It’s a miracle, that has come through hard work.

I do have one question in all this, and I know it’s a bit off the wall, maybe, maybe not,
but why have we not seen Obama’s mother standing behind him, or being interviewed, or something. We see photos of his grandmother in Africa. I’m just curious and would love to see her interviewed and to meet the woman who raised a son like Obama. It took a strong woman.

Clinton says she had a tough father, who demanded nothing but the best from her.
Obama had a supportive, loving mother, (probably smart as heck too, but we don’t know cuz she’s never interviewed!)….I’ll go to the lib and get his book.

You get the drift.

Terrific to see you on the show. What a bright spot. Is it weird to talk to Anderson
through the camera, when he’s sitting right next to you? That’s a bit odd and kind
of funny.

Kind Regards,
Tita
Eugene,
ORegon

No matter who the nominees are on either side it will be historical in several aspects 1) only senators in the race 2) first african american or woman canidate and 3) oldest canidate on the republican side John McCain. And a message to Senators Obama and Clinton your universal health care plan cannot be done unless the states citizens approve it by ballot because it violates the 10th amendment rights retained by the states and if you violate our consitution our GOP will fight it to the highest extent all the way to the supreme court if necessary if you want this health care plan then ask the states to put it on ballot DO NOT VIOLATE THE CONSTITUTION i’m certain the GOP will support me on this because it will not be done

Thank you

I’m so sick of the media choosing our Next president…. in fact huckabee never had a chance because of you guys…. Huckabee has never changed positions since he has started his campain. why do we have to have someone that has to steal from the other partys views just to gain more prower. Huckabee is correct saying that its not over until the delegates are all won. He should not have to step aside to let Mcain be the winner just because the numbers say so. thats why we live in america . let the best man win…I am loosing hope for this country because of the way our government is ran and it will continue to fall until we get someone in that is truely honest and fair!!!!

This blog is a very sad but true commentary on modern life. There was a man who I thought was a genuinely good person. He is white. He helped me get settled in my job, always had a kind word to say, seemed like a good fellow. When I gave him a thank you card with nice sentiments attached, he scowled and has never talked to me since. Our relationship has become awkward at best. The only reason I can think of why this has transpired is because I am black. I am an adult, but sheer judgement based on how I look totally hurt me. Especially when I thought everything was fine before.

If the next generation of young people are more open-minded our society would be a better one to live in. People could be free to make their own decisions based of their heart. If we can ever get to that point, our quality of life will be a lot better.

Sylvie Grace, Atlanta, Georgia

Erica,
Don’t you remember being young when hope was the thing that kept you going and then one day you realized you would have to actually do something for yourself to lift your butt up and be a productive member of our country. Have you ever tried to use hope and pay for your groceries at Krogers or say please fill my car up with that cheep hope or I promise I will hope the rent by the end of the month. These young people are being herded like sheep by a man that has not once told them exactly what these wonderful changes will be. If these kids need HOPE, INSPIRATION and UPLIFTING they need to attend church. I understand you work for a large corporation and your program director has you pushing Obama so the republicans can win come Fall but still doesn’t it hurt to know you are helping kill the chances of our country having it’s first qualified women president. It has to hurt.

Hi Erica,

I am more than comfortable to move beyond stereotypes because we simply have to break out of the backlash that’s been plaguing this country for far too long. I can’t agree more with the “status quo” argument because honestly, that’s what it is! We are ready as a nation to take on progressive ideologies and promote change and acceptance of everyone on a grand, sweeping scale.

If those ideologies happen to be embodied within a woman and/or a minority, I am ALL FOR IT!!

I think young people are ready to take responsibility for the acts of the previous generations. After all, we’re the up-and-comers and I don’t think it’s a fad or the “hip new thing” whatsoever. We have to gain control of what is to come in our own futures! We’re in the big leagues, and it’s an amazing time in our lives to get involved.

This election coverage never ceases to amaze me.

I’m a retired 63 year old male (veteran) who voted for Hilliary Clinton in the Maryland primary, but just as well could have voted for Barack Obama. I will vote for which ever Democrat gets the nomination, as the working men and women of this country cannot take another four years of the Republican doctrine. Regardless of race or gender people must vote for a candidate that will stand up to the problems the next president and this country are about to face. The Republicans keep talking about their conservative principles, but the last 7 1/2 years have shown that the Republican party has no principles. — Wake up America its time for a change, regardless of race or gender!

Erica :
First off last night’s show was great, you are definitely a wonderful addition to the 360 team.

Second off sadly this will never be, because to be completely honest about these issues means you will step over that invisible wall we have created for ourselves. People won’t say they won’t vote for Hillary because she is a woman and no one will say they will not vote for Obama cause he’s black. Even though I’m pretty sure there’s people out there like that, especially down south. There’s enough older white men that have way to much time on their hands for there not to be.

The stereotype thing is interesting though. Especially when the media starts breaking the results down by the numbers. I cringe when I hear Wolf say women are or are not coming out for Hillary, like it’s an obligation for us.

I personally want the best person for the job; who I can be PROUD of; who I can look to my nephews and say that’s our president; someone who will lead us into a better future for those nephews, and nieces out there; someone who has a plan for the future and not just rhetoric to get them the votes today only to forget it all tomorrow.

When anyone finds that let me know.
Marcy
Mobile, AL

It is too bad that this is not the case in the media. Maybe a lot of them should read this article. It is heard constantly and you can tell within minutes of listening to them what they personally believe in - what happened to the good old days of just reporting the news and ALL the facts or sides of the issue? There are comments being made about race and gender between the Democratic canidates but then they say race and gender should stay out of it.
I have heard black ppl interviewed leaving exiting polls that although they are for Hillary they voted for Obama cause he could possibly be the first black president and did not want to miss contributing to that. Or men, some are not voting for Hillary strictly because she is a women..gee what does that say to how they feel about the other women in there lives - mom, wife, daughter, etc…
This election is and will be a defining moment in history but whoever is sworn in Jan 2009 hopefully will be the “BEST” canidate, was elected for the right reason and this President will deliver and hold true to their promises for a new and better America. Sorry to leave out the Republician Party canidates but I am 100% for the Democratic Party.

I understand why this has become an issue for some people and for CNN to address. However, I can say with total honesty it’s not for me. I don’t look at the world or people that way. All I have ever cared about is what these candidates have had to say.I have listened very carefully to policy not to gender or color of skin. I am voting for Hillary not because she is a women but because she is tough and has the experience needed to do the job. I don’t agree with everything she has to say,I am hoping for the best with the rest.I am not voting for Obama because of his skin color. I’m not voting for him because I don’t agree with about 99% of what he has to say. Of course he is any incredible speaker.

Erica, I am interested in seeing this as well. I think most people will if they make a conscious effort to look beyond the stereotypes. But this also highlights another problem which is the fact that people have to make a conscious decision not to be stereotypical. Naturally people tend to gravitate to others that look like them or others they think shares their values, interests and beliefs. Hopefully by listening and getting to know the candidate people will move beyond the idea of supporting or not supporting a candidate base on their race, gender or religion.

Erica, you hit the nail on the head! I couldn’t have said it any better! After reading your article, I’ve concluded that it all boils to one thing. Follow the Golden Rule. Treat people the way you want to be treated. Treat everyone with dignity and respect, without regard to race, gender, religion, age, etc. It’s what inside of us that matters, not outside. If we follow this rule, the stereotypes go away and we’ll be fine. It’s actually very simple; it’s the people that make it complicated.

BTW, great show last night! I love seeing you in the studio with Anderson! Thanks for making the move to NY!

Cheers,
Lilibeth
Edmonds, Washington

Race and gender does not matter to me. I’m a black american but that does not mean I’m obligated to vote for Barack Obama. Look at the person policies and where they want to take the country.

Responding to: “He says this next generation just may make it happen…that they’re more accepting, less judgmental.”

Actually, this isn’t true. Younger people are actually MORE judgmental than older people, because they haven’t had life slap them around long enough to accrue sufficient empathy. Ask any parent of teenagers…

It is true that younger people (in the US at least) are more accepting of gender and racial differences, but it’s not true that this is a one-way trend. Note that in Kansas, a female ref was turned away from officiated a basketball game at a religious school because she shouldn’t be allowed to be in a ‘position of authority over boys’.

If you expect the turnover in generations to solve the problems of prejudice, think of Iraq - women were allowed to go to school and hold jobs until we overthrew Saddam Hussein. Now morals police roam the countryside enforcing gender norms from the seventh century. And they’re planning to execute a ‘witch’ in Saudi Arabia, convicted on a coerced (read: tortured) confession.

It’s a sign of how far we still have to go in the US that while 92 percent would vote for a qualified black candidate of their party, and 88 percent would vote for a qualified woman candidate of their party, only 45 percent would vote for a qualified atheist candidate. Secular society? no, not really.

Honestly, I feel like race and gender seem to be more important to the media than the average person I know. Sure, there are bigots, chauvinist and racists out there and people would be in denial to think there aren’t but I believe most people don’t care. If they did, then Clinton and Obama would have little support. They have overwhelming support, which to me, proves that most Americans are ready to move beyond the stereo types and labels of race and gender.

It will always be a factor to some but I believe more time should be spent on talking about the merits of Clinton and Obama rather than these divisive issues. I see nothing wrong with a discussion but there seems to be more of an obsession with it in the media, not just CNN. I would be refreshing to hear more about what they actually stand for….what their programs and plans are than this issue, which is beat to death.

CNN and 360 are my favorites and I enjoy them but I do wish this topic was a little less overdone.

Being on the older fringe of the younger generation, I agree that many stereotypes are being abandoned and we are more open to individuality. However, I find that the younger generation has a lot of stereotypes about the older generation. This could end up being an interesting dynamic as the younger generation begins to make its way up and the older baby boomers are reluctant to relinquish control and ideas.

Great to have you blogging, Erica

Hi Erica,
I must say if I’m being honest, that race and gender aren’t my fear, it’s a lack of experience by ALL the candidates. I don’t think anyone could get a huge job promotion without working their way up the ladder in any company, let alone such a monsterous job like the presidency. It’s good to open the conversation about race, gender, or any other topic of prejudice, as long as we don’t make it overshadow us and keep us from coming together instead of ripping us apart for the sake of conflict.

Lorie Ann, Buellton, Calif.

I set out to search a topic on this nature, and was very pleased to have seen your article.

I agree with a lot of what you have said. Sterotypes can impact a society. If we don’t call them stereotypes, then we can call them a reality from our own experiences. That doesn’t necessarily mean that our experiences are bad, but in fact these experiences erase some of the negative stereotypes that come from both the media, from our familys, society, and our personal lives.

I happen to believe that we have moved “forward.” I happen to beleive that perhaps we are even much farther forward then the media might want to acknowledge. It isn’t great TV if we all get together now is it? Lets hype up the Don Imus’s. Lets pretend that the only reason baseball is pursuing Barry Bonds steroid allogations is because he is black. Lets really blow out of porportion the Duke rape, I mean none rape story.

Point is, I often get a sense that the media tends to place specific focus on just how far apart American society is, with race and gender. Just how much white America is against black America. Of how women take a back seat to men. But are they really?

The current political race has meant many things to me. It has meant for the first time I have wanted to get involved and that I can make a difference. It has meant that we have moved forward because a women and a black man are running for president. It has meant that perhaps we really are farther ahead as a united America then we may realize. It has meant, to me, that even though the media has attempted to paint their perception of reality and tie that perception back to equal ALL of America, that giving the power of media through vote, as now is the case for this political campaign, that America presents the true perception of just how far we really are as a nation. We are not using color, gender, or stereotypes as a guide to our vote. We are using our human abilities to chose the right candiate for the right job. Go Obama.

Having been raised by racist parents, I spent my life as a mother of young children teaching them that honesty, and hard work were what would determine their success in life. I am in my late 50’s, so I grew up in the 50’s and 60’s, so I must say that the Obama campaign does my heart good. I think that the fact that the younger than 45 age group is voting for this man in such large numbers is proof that the parents my age did a good job in teaching our children that the color of one’s skin is not important, but it is character and what that person stands for that counts.

Although I live in SW Missouri now, I didn’t always. I am surprised my the number of people that are still racist around me. My husband’s sister married an African American, and believe me, that really rocked her very “Christian” family. My inlaws are still racists, but they are improving with age. They love their grandchildren, but sometimes I still see that they favor the “white” kids more, and brag about them more. Hopefully, racism will die with my generation.

Welcome aboard! I hope next week to see you at the anchor desk side-by-side Anderson and not on the far left. It just seemed so awkward and distant to me as a viewer. I am used to a co-anchor huddled up working together on the same team not on the other side of the desk. Just my observation from watching too much network and cable news over the years!

In reality people chat, discuss and vote based on their personal experiences. If your experiences with folks different from you have been positive, you don’t care about race, creed or religion. If your experiences with folks have been dismal, you care and stereotype. We all live by our experiences uniquely our own. I am of the firm belief that it is hard to change people unless they want to change their own thoughts.

Hi Erica, Welcome to Anderson’s 360.
I am encouraged by our younger generations and their penchant for feeling. I am so old that I don’t even buy green bananas and my generation was not allowed to feel. Do what you are told, shut up and eat, etc etc. I was brought up in a home that was in tune with the censorship of the Catholic Church.
I have three grandchildren in college and I am encouraged by the sensitivity to their own feelings, the feelings of others, and how they feel about the rest of the world. They pay attention to the feelings that I was not allowed to express. These kids are very good at expressing how someone made them feel and that is the right path. Intellect and reasoning are important but feelings may be the most important.
I have not come across any numbers telling me the numbers of 18-30 year olds voting in these primaries but I am hoping it is lots, and that will encourage me more if they are paying attention to what’ s in their future. These kids get it.

Hey Erica,
I think the hardest thing to move past is fear. It is difficult to believe anybody. When people are profiled at our airports based upon skin tone and Middle Eastern names, how can we move forwards? I’ve just started reading “The Audacity of Hope” so I’m still forming my opinion on Senator Obama. I have not made a final decision on who I support. I look forward to your report Friday.
Suzanne

Hello, everyone. I believe the media shares a large part of the responsibility in keeping the racial, gender and political flames burning. If it’s controversial, it leads, therefore there is a constant focus on negative, sensational topics each day, real or manufactured.

I’m not sure I agree with the author’s premise that most people become more judgmental as they get older. I believe most (80%) people are typically tolerant towards and accepting of each other’s differences. These are the people who are moderate in most areas of their lives. The extremists (20%) are the ones making life miserable for everyone. They include whites, blacks, hispanics, males, females, straights, homosexuals, bisexuals, conservatives, liberals, religious, seculars, young, old, rich, poor, and in-between.

Go visit a college campus and watch and listen to the extreme intolerance for anything conservative in nature, and vice-versa (too many nationally publicized examples to list here). This single venue, where our “best and brightest” go for higher education, contains what to me looks like some of the least tolerant people around; so much for not being judgmental. Look at the debacle of a Presidential race we’re currently watching; it’s like a zoo at feeding time.

If we don’t wake up and start meeting somewhere in the middle, we as a nation will eventually come to greatly regret the behaviors, words and attitudes of our intolerant extremists, young and old.

Congratulations again, Erica!

In an election where the candidates look so close on paper, I understand that the differences must be magnified. However, I find it annoying and sad when the media keeps harping on the physical/cultural differences instead. How about some more insightful details into the issues instead of speculating who is voting for who…. How are these conversations going to help anyone at the voting both?
Anderson made a comment about how there should be more conversations about race instead of less. I’d love to hear him elaborate on that…

I’m with Cynthia (above) on this. The only people I know talking about race and gender is the media. The people I talk with, however, do have an issue not with race or gender but with the perception that Mr. Barack is/was a Muslim. Yes, they do have a problem with his name. And they have issues with Hillary for reasons that have nothing to do with her gender.

And this may sound trite, but the audience had no problem with a black President (well, actually 2) on the series “24″ (David Palmer and later his brother). They may have had an issue for the first couple of episodes but then it did come down to leadership and race was not mentioned again.

Granted, there will be people that will continue to bring it up, that choose to use fear as their weapon. But I think this is because they themselves are afraid of change and advancement.

In this one instance, if the media chooses to ignore it, it will not be a factor and then the real issues can be discussed.

I definitely tagree that the next generation is less judgemental, I think every “next generation” is less judgemental than the previous. For example, my parents. Neither are racist, and both support gay rights. However, sometimes they make comments that I never would, or they say something they shouldn’t have, both of which I could never imagine coming out of my mouth. Were this 30 years ago, the two democratic front runners would probably never be African American and a woman, and that itself shows dramatic progress, and I think this progress is only going to continue.

Hey Erica,
Gosh I like having you as a permanent member of 360. This is a great piece you have written. I’m pleased to say that I was brought up being both gender and color unbiased. My parents did a great job teaching us to value a person for what they can contribute and who they are, not what they look like. Unfortunately, I have learned that I am definitely in the minority. I do however think that ever generation that is born gets a little less prejudicial. This is perhaps for the reasons you have stated. Whatever the case, I hope it is a trend we continue to see. I for one, will be a woman voting for who I believe will best serve this country in the next four years regardless of who he or she is or what he or she looks like. Good work and have a good show!

Erica,
By now we’ve all heard the Ann Coulter’s and Glenn Beck’s who say that if McCain was the nominee they would vote for Hillary. What about those of us who feel that if Obama were to be the nominee we’d vote for McCain? I’d love to hear that talked about a little more on 360, even though you are Obama biased. Let’s keep them all honest.

Jane, undecided voter

Erica:
I hope the Governor of my state PA would read your article. I heard on the news last night (WJAC 11:00pm) that Governor Ed Rendell is asking people not to vote for Barack Obama because HE IS BLACK but instead to vote for Clinton. It is a disgrace to hear the Governor of a state talking like that in 2008. I had so much respect for him before but not anymore. He will no longer get my vote.
Can you please enlight him a little bit . He needs help.

I have been following this race closely and I must say I am disheartened. I have heard countless people making such statements as “a women president is illegal because the constitution says ‘he’” and “Barack is secretly a Muslim and his name sounds like Osama”. I am so tired of these ridiculous statements. Do people not realize we have serious problems facing this country and need serious solutions, not votes based on prejudice and sexism?

Obama promises to reach across the table to friend and foe alike and work together to find solutions. That is a beautiful thought that bring to mind visions of the Coca-Cola commercial of old, but has no real sustenance behind it. Hillary Clinton already has solutions, as well as plans to implement them. Obama has the ability to make beautiful speeches that excite audience into such frenzy that they forget there is no real sustenance in his word. There is enough talk in Washington already. What we desperately need is action.

We are facing real problems that will only be solved by experienced problem-solvers. Obama may have those qualifications someday, but not today. Hillary is the one with the real plans for real solutions to our all-too-real problems, as well as the experience to get the job done.

I have spent countless hours researching both candidates. I am on both mailing lists; I have thoroughly studied each candidate’s website; and I have done independent research on both of their records – on the Senate, in Washington, Illinois and Arkansas. I have carefully weighed all the issues and each candidate’s stand on them. It seems clear to me that Hillary Clinton not only the best choice, but the only choice that will bring real solutions and the experience to turn those solutions into action.

Race and gender have nothing to do with my vote. The experience of the candidate has everything to do with it. Yes, me being a woman influences how I think. Hillary Clinton’s example as a woman of power strongly impacted my development as a professional woman in the early to mid-1990’s. I will always respect her journey in life. However, that alone won’t lead our nation forward. And hope sounds great, but Obama is too wet behind the ears for my taste in the political scene, I don’t want a pacifist as commander-in-chief, and I quite honestly believe the world community won’t take him or Hillary seriously because really let’s look at the mess the Clinton years caused internationally (and it’s a mark on the whole Democratic party). Let’s be realistic. We deal with some pretty nasty guys. And Secretary Rice, an African American woman (talk about breaking barriers when W chose her but CNN tends to forget all she’s accomplished in a Republican presidency) has done an amazing job standing her ground and working with the world community. The rest of the Republicans have. Our nation has remained free of an attack, and people need to remember that it’s because of our military presence, our policies, and what that Republican president no one can stand has done with the help of his advisors. Go to a foreign country. If America was such a laughingstock, illegal immigration wouldn’t be such an issue and the world wouldn’t try to be us. A bunch of Democratic pacifists will destroy this nation internationally. I promise. If Condi was running, I’d vote for her in a nanosecond. Ditto on Colin Powell. This has nothing to do with race or gender and everything to do with qualifications. And neither dem is worthy of the office of president. Maybe Obama can offer hope when his policies bankrupt us into oblivion, we have no military presence, and terrorists overtake our country.

Great show last night. Insightful, entertaining and interesting. Just when I was starting to enjoy the political commentary, a bad day in news is here. Please do not tell us this was a copy cat incident. Disturbed and upset the viewers will be if this killer was motivated by the infamous photos from V-Tech that were distributed so carelessly. Please keep the team responsible tonight.

Hi Erica,

I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH YOU!

The most exciting thing that I find about these candidates is that in various ways, they are all very good choices.

Primarily, I would vote for my favorite for president, as I feel she is the best choice - Hillary! I hope we can see the numbers we need to have the opportunity to really make some change!

I for one am not considering either race or gender, as I don’t see how those obvious fact are relevant in my decision for president!

Thank you for all you do (including making Anderson smile - ALOT!)

Take care,
Liz

Living as a (immigrant) minority in a not very diverse part of the United States, I’ve realized many people honestly don’t think that some of their comments and actions can be racially offensive. Some of them are not even willing to contemplate the possibility that they are, and as long as they don’t, there won’t be much change on their part. The good news, however, is that those are (the irony) a minority of the people I’ve encountered.

Erica,
althought I personally don’t know AC or yourself, my wife and I both agree you both come across as very genuine people, without a hateful bone in your bodies. And no obvious agenda of any kind. Just great journalism delivered in an entertaining and truthful way. keep up the great work, don’ t let the big wigs,(bosses) change your style!
We’ve got more than enough Becks, Dobbs, and O’Reilley’s in this world.
All of them with some type of personal agenda masked as a story.
We’ll pass, thank you very much.

Well Ciao,
LC Fernandes

I think race and gender still plays a role in politics. It diminishes with the younger generation but it is still there. I would love to ask Oprah if she would campaign for Obama if he were white?

Really now, has America (for the most part) moved past race and gender stereotypes and discriminations? I think so. We are seeing it in the democratic primaries and caucuses.

Everyday common folks in my opinion has moved or is moving pass the color and gender barriers which has divided us for centuries.

There is indeed racial tensions and conflicts in our society. Reality is, most of society’s stereotyping and discrimination are ingrained in society’s institutions such as government agencies and the police force.

I am so happy about the diverse backgrounds of these presidential candidates, they are a true(almost) representation of our society.

Great job Erica!

Erica,

The fact that you bring this issue shows how divided we are. I am tired of women playing the gender card when things go wrong or Race being an issue when things don’t favor the Race. These are the reasons why both sides have had difficulty being recognized. Get over it and grow up.

Hi Erica,
Welcome to 360. I just had a feeling you would join Anderson Cooper. You guys have great chemistry. Regarding race and gender, yes they do matter to a certain extent. The only thing we all know for sure is the extent to which people are judged based on their color or gender is slowly but surely diminishing.

Erica you are great on TV but Hillary needs to win! Obama is naiva and he stutters during his debates with Hillary which is why he refuses to debate with Hillary. People like Obama because he is young and handsome but Hillary has the brains to revise this country.

Erica;
You are spot on. Unfortunately, racism will never die in this country. The moment we see someone who is different than us, we become scared and insecure. We will always fear what we do not understand. We have two amazing candidates in the Democratic party wanting to be our next President and it will not be easy. One may not get elected because she’s a woman and the other because he will be judge by the color of his skin rather than the content of his character. As a nation we still have some growing to do. Give me someone who wil lead….be that an aging whiteman, a former first lady, or blackman with a unique name.

Its not that we don’t want black people in our neighborhoods..its that they take over neighborhoods.. and they don’t want.. “whitey”… .just like in Miami..Latinos have pushed non-Hispanics out of their houses that they had for 50 years.. now it is 100% Hispanic…that goes for doctors.. lawyers.. auto mechanics..you can only find fresh Cuban food… every thing is Hispanic …that’s what I am saying… and if you think it is not going to happen.. you are “oh “so wrong…….I am beginning to see it already….Its like they are the second coming of Christ……since Obama is running for president…

The media is at fault for Obama’s false momentum. CNN, AOL, MSNBC, are on some sort of biased mission to post every single bad photo of Clinton. To make it worse, they slap on a misleading headline. The facts are a lot of voters do like her, but that’s never covered in the news. I’ve only seen ‘glamour’ shots of Obama, along with promtional headlines, from news organizations that are supposed to be unbiased. Unfortunately, for this country, the media is tainting this primary election.

Erica,

While the issues of race and gender still exist in several segments of our lives/world there is a place and time for them (so I concur with the general consensus of my fellow contributors). Before I give my opinion however, I would state that age, physical fitness and looks are also some biases that exist in our lives today. I am definitely guilty of such by recently saying among friends that “Mitt Romney has more of a Presidential ‘look’ than that of John McCain.” I am a democrat, go figure where that came from.
To the point at hand, and to one of the other contributors comment, this is not a race for class president or the fire warden of a floor in a corporate building. This is a race for the American President. So my suggestion is that while we are always allured or inclined to make shallow judgments, for this particular race we should leave all of those behind and make a good decision since our nation in currently in need of new direction.
Lastly, I’ve noticed that a large amount of individuals focus on what one candidate has done (or the lack of) from an accomplishment and experience perspective without focusing on what the country actually needs. It’s like any other job search, what will the role require and what skills/experience do the candidates have.

What does our country really need from the next president, change, experience or a combination of both?

Regards,
-R

What’s worse–racism or sexism. As a black woman, I feel I have some authority on this topic.

Racism is now subversive rather than overt–even more deadly than it has ever been.

As a black woman I more strongly relate to my blackness over my gender because of the more excruciating negative connotations my blackness seems to cause (white) society. However, I am in a rare position to feel the lash of being black AND a woman. Trust me, being a woman is no piece of cake.

If I have to choose one ‘category’ to more closely identify with, I choose my race. I choose my race because I have more experiences in common with black men over my common experiences with white women. You see, as a black woman, I cannot remove my blackness (even though I wouldn’t want to if I had a choice). However, white women; historically, have been able to take advantage of their majority race and minority sex when it suits them.

For example, let’s examine Barack and Hillary (both equally qualified):

Why is it wrong for the majority of blacks to vote for Obama, when it is okay for the majority of white women to vote for Hillary–and no one seems to report against this negatively? The negative undertones attributed to African Americans supporting Obama over white women supporting Hillary is pervasive (especially in the media).

When categorizing minority groups, why is it that white women are called ‘women’ and all other race women clumped within their races?–as if other race wormen were not women. Why not call the label ‘women’ for what it really is–white women.

To the above point, how is it that white women is considered a minority anyway?

Why do ‘women’ (white women) get minority set asides–like business contracts, etc.,???? Interesting.

Is it possible to be a majority and a minority at the same time???

Oh by the way, I was once a staunch Bill Clinton (Hillary) supporter, but his racist code words (statements) were such a turn off. You see–white women can take advantage of their whiteness whenever they feel it convenient–even if it means understatingly demeaning black people. White women can take advantage of being a majority and conveniently elect being a minority when it is to their advantage.

If you had a black male candidate and a wite female candidate in a historical election that are equally qualified, who would you vote for if you were in my shoes?

Makes you say hmmmmmmmmmm.

(Let’s see if this gets posted.)

Getting beyond the race and gender issue…Erica, I would like your opinion on Obama’s sponsored Global Poverty Act, which amounts to an over $840 billion dollar commitment to the UN to turn over a percent of our GNP for global poverty. Glen Beck brought it to our attention and describes it like a global tax on the US, where we fork over the money to the UN and lose control over how its spent.. He suggests it has passed the House because no one probably read it and now it goes before the House. I have nothing against helping people but have very little confidence in the UN and I think a Global tax is something that could in the long run put the US at risk. For this reason, a question put to Obama to explain his reasoning for turning our money over to the UN …might be good for a debate. Would love your opinion.

WHAT WE NEED IN OUR NEXT PRESIDENT IS NOT WHAT COLOR THEY ARE, BUT WE SHOULD LOOK AT HONESTY TRUTH , A REAL VISION AND DON’T LIE TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, FOR YOUR OWN GAIN. A PRESIDENT FOR EVERYONE, AND NOT JUST WHAT WE THINK THEY WILL DO, WE NEED A CHANGE FROM THE SAME OLD POLITICS WE HAVE SEEN OVER THE YEARS,
BE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT IT!
AMOS

IT IS TYPICAL OF THE NAACP TO FIND SOMETHING RACIAL ABOUT ANYTHING A WHITE PERSON DOES OR SAYS. IT MAKES ME SICK. THE REASON HILLARY CLINTON IS BEHIND IS BECAUSE SHE IS A WHITE WOMAN RUNNING AGAINST A BLACK MUSLIM MAN. ONE THING THE BLACK COMMUNITY DOES IS STICK TOGATHER. I WISH WE WOULD DO THE SAME. EVERYTHING OBAMA HAS LEARNED HAS BEEN FROM HILLARY. HE IS CONSTANTLY DEGRADING HER BUT WHEN SHE TRIES TO DO THE SAME, THE NEWS MEDIA AND THE NAACP HAVE CHICKEN PULLING CONTEST WITH HER AND PRESIDENT CLINTON. SHAME ON THESE PEOPLE.

I caught the very end of the show and thought the panel was excellent but I didn’t catch the names and I would like to follow up.

I’m just old enough to remember the Camelot Vibe and I have to say Senator Obama does create that sense. Because any US President has limited Legislative abilities (thanks to the US Founding Fathers) I think he will have in place checks and balances even if he is ideologically well away from from the center of the political spectrum.

I understand the history here. However I’m not sure it factors into the “bully pulpit” Teddy Roosevelt spoke of. What about the ageists who say McCain is too old? Heck in several cultures people live to be a 100+ and are Lucid, active and oh yeah WISE!

Lets stop all this he/she’s a… instead can they do the job?

Pax,

Erica
You have focused on the CENTRAL issue in this NEW discussion and that is that we all have so little awareness of the sources of our thoughts, opinions and feelings.
While younger folks say that these issues don’t matter and that they are more progressive (aka colorblind or looking for the ‘BEST’ candidate), they also have sources or influences on the way they feel and act.
Human beings use stereotypes in order to try to make sense of their world by lumping together a variety of individual cases, labeling them and then reacting to these categories rather than to individuals. Prejudging on the basis of relatively obvious characteristics (gender, race, ethnicity, religion,) as well as non-conscious mindsets about these characteristics and groups leads to making untested assumptions. This approach may seem functional and efficient but it, often unintentionally, leads to taking these categories too seriously and often results in judging others negatively.
If we really want genuine fairness we have to do the work of developing a more sophisticated understanding of social perception so that we perceive others more accurately. Leaders in the media must address these phenomena intelligently and effectively so that viewers can get beyond simply emoting! Keep informing us and challenging us to think!

Growing up I knew a lot of white people who were racist-I think because they were copying the beliefs of their parents and just did not know any better-this changed as they grew and began to form their own opinions and ideas. What I find is now I know a whole lot more black people who are racist than white people. I don’t think either is fair or right. The legacy of fear and hate is being carried on but on the other side. I think this causes black people to think there is insult where none was intended. I judge people according to their actions, I have never disliked anyone because of the color of their skin, gender or religion, but I also think it is fair to demand the same. I also think there are a lot of racial pot stirrers that are more part of the problem than a solution.

I think sexism is now a bigger problem because all women, of all races are subject to it and it is so acceptable. It all comes down to respecting yourself and other humans. That is what we seem to lack more than anything these days-respect.

Stop “whitewashing” the race and gender issues and pretending that we’ve moved beyond them!!! When I see men and women taking equal responsibility for their family and home responsibilities and getting paid equally in the workplace, then we can join you and your smug commentators in saying that now we can move beyond race and gender issues!

I can’t believe what a superficial job 360 did in looking at race and gender and the ways it affects the voting process. Instead of dividing us up into groups and keeping score of who’s winning or losing our votes — how about talking about how difficult it is for some of us even to get out there and vote — much less caucus? How about discussing how race and especially gender have made it possible for men to take advantage of women, abandon their parental responsibilities, and leave women working harder for less pay to support their children? It’s clear that women work harder for less money (the stat you flashed on the screen but didn’t comment on was 76 cents to the dollar, right?) and it’s clear that there are many more single female heads of HH (where are all those deadbeat dads? Usually the “woman” is a young teen being preyed upon by a much older male — not two teenagers getting into trouble — check the stats, and in any case — who is almost always left holding the bag/baby!!! — and even in women who are married clearly carry a disproportionate amount of the family (including aging parents, etc) and HH responsibilities, even if they are working, and just imagine how hard it is for us to vote, much less caucus — between taking care of the children and their homework and making dinner and trying to work and as one idiot said “IRONING THE SHIRTS” — how can we get away?

And yet we must let our voices be heard — VOTE HILLARY! As a minority woman, we have it even worse, but look who ran out on OBAMA, you got it, his black father from Africa (incidently not descended from slaves), leaving his white single mother holding the bag/baby — yet another case of what men typically do. Again, this is not anecdotal, but just cold, hard fact. Wish you would report on this story and the gender traps that we are struggling so hard to escape and how gender truly affects ability to vote and how we vote. The working poor and women vote for Hillary, not because she is a woman, but because she understands the issues and has the best plans for actually implementing solutions. We need action and proven experience, not rhetoric, because for us, too much is at stake to risk on empty words!!!

Julie Wong
Los Gatos, California

ERICA
I think that the deal on this is that when is a comemt done about a woman is more okey than when is about a black person.One is just like a joke but the other is a racism.Talking about clinton and obama, i think that obama is giving words about things that people want to hear,now he need to explain how he will bypass all this whitehouse lions without been hurt.Look what happen to carter, he was not the most to win the whitehouse but he did,because in his speech he gave what people wanted to hear.