Is America ready for a “First Man”?

“In the beginning there was ‘Man’"

Allow yourself to go back in time;back to a time when the mere utterance of 'women’s suffrage rights' would summon feelings of hatred and anger in the hearts of most American men and women. Such obvious defiance of the time-old paradigm of male superiority was not only frowned upon, but was understood to be absolutely sacrilegious and bizarre. Women’s suffrage; what an unusual and strange movement it was, holding no place within the norms of its era. This was a period in history where it was absurd to assume that a woman could possess the mental capacity to form a single opinion over any serious matter let alone a political one. Therefore, it was hard for anyone to imagine a government that could be as foolhardy as to bequeath such a prestigious right as voting on such an unreliable source. Alas, never minding the so called ‘foolish’ attempts of rogue individualists such as Fredrick Douglas, Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth C. Stanton, the majority of the public agreed; a woman’s place was in the home, and in the home she would stay.
Two-hundred years ago today, this picture would have been the harsh reality for all American women. After the 19th amendment and after 72 years worth of struggling, women were finally given the very right that we today consider a common triviality; nevertheless, this is well expected and something worthy of celebration. Elizabeth Stanton and Susie B. could only dream of the day that voting and other equal-opportunity privileges, would one day be considered as common-place and as definite as any other God given right, by law. Now, with the history lesson set aside, let us move on to the current women’s political issue at hand that has shaken up the world 200 years later, and precisely on cue.
Today, we are only months away from witnessing, former President Bill Clinton, sitting on the sidelines cheering on his wife, Hillary Clinton who is a more than worthy competitor for the 2008 presidential election. One can say we are on the threshold of once again revolutionizing women’s rights and distinctions in government and culture. This will be a complementation that has long ago fulfilled its promise, only to once again rise further and surpass its humble yet rewarding roots. With a plethora of male presidents filling up US history books to the brim, with their ideals, their wars, and famed political accomplishments, it is high-time for the era of male political dominance, to settle on the back burner, and warmly welcome its female successor to the throne.

“If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts”.

A woman as president, how distant a thought this once was, and still is. Even today, many have yet to truly grapple the scope and significance of the occasion that we will soon be hallowed with. Let’s not kid ourselves; we have yet to even form a suitable term for a male “first lady”. Jokes around the issue have revealed p/c terms for Mr. Clinton; “first gentleman” perhaps? How about President Clinton and First Man, William, or would that be politically incorrect; (no pun intended)? What if the public and media don’t even bother creating a title for this out of the ordinary position that just might need filling come 2008?
Half a world away, Liberian president, Madam Ellen Johnson’s has successfully embarked on her own journey to alter the definition of a strong leader in the world of African Politics. This progress in global women’s leadership might have even sparked Hillary’s interest or tipped the scale in her decision for the 2008 U.S candidacy for President. Although, Liberian politics has its place in the world’s political playing field, it is however obviously diminutive when compared to the United States’ weight on the scale of global political power.
The dice have been rolled, and Hillary has proudly stated on her website www.hillaryclinton.com that she “is in it to win it”. This savvy contender has maneuvered her way up the political ladder so strategically, it would be hard to imagine her not aiming for head of the executive branch as a next step. From a lawyer, doing pro-bono work in Arkansas, to First Lady of the United States and without skipping a beat, Hillary would dive head long into securing herself a position in the United States senate, of which she today represents the state of New York, when she herself hails from Illinois; this was a move that solidified the publics perception of her determined competence. Her aggressive tactics in the political arena leaves us in mind of the common sports phrase used when a player in the game surpasses expected possibilities: --“how does she do it”? And just how does she do it; it can be assumed that Hillary owns the same drive Susie B. and other renowned suffragists had when they worked tirelessly in hopes to some day blur the lines between male and female competency in social and governmental regions. The fact that this woman has met all the qualifications that men have made rule, and in addition too them created her own personal goals, only to ace them as well, can only guarantee her triumph in all future endeavors.
But are we ready? Contrary to popular belief, the United States is more than ready for a fresh-faced female presidential candidate like Hillary Clinton. Polling report took a census over whether or not Americans are ready for a female president; a staggering 54% voted ‘yes’ they were, jumping 6% in the preceding 8 years. The American public is aching for change in Washington, but who will take the stand? I’m sure Hillary will agree with me when I state that she would concur with Anais Nin’s famous proverb: “how wrong it is for a woman to expect the man to build the world she wants, rather than to create it herself”; and create it, Hillary will. Perhaps, on her drive up to Washington after victory, she might put to use that clever political wit of hers and conjure up some judicious plan on how to tidy up some of the sullied confusion that has become our capitol today. Is America ready for a “First Man”? I say get your bags packed Bill, because we are long over-due.

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