Political Efficacy (5-25-2015)

Since the British colonies became the United States of America in 1776, we have been constantly misrepresenting our people. It is not misrepresentation in the taxation sense, but rather in the race and gender sense. Our constitution was written and put into action by white men, and they continued being our leaders until 2008. Women and blacks didn't have full rights until late in the 20th century, and they still are not properly represented in our government.
The movie Missrepresentation highlights specifically how females aren't equally represented or treated fairly in politics. For example, while women represent 51% of our population, they make up only 17% of Congress. Less and less girls want to run for office as they mature. Why? Because it isn't realistic. Our country depends on the idea that any male has a better chance in D.C. than a female. White, Christian, upper-class, and older men that is. Missrepresentation claims that this leads to a lack of "political efficacy" for women, basically having a voice in government. In the media, if there is an issue in government and someone speaks out on that issue, women are seen as "complaining" about it. Men are seen as "telling" us about it. This undermines even the small role that women have right now.
Don't get me wrong, there are definitely still powerful women in our government. When this movie was made, Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton were both big names. Palin was constantly sexualized, giving men boners instead of focusing on the content of what she said. Clinton, an older woman, was seen as a "bitch" for also just stating her ideas. Neither person can really get their ideas across because people are too worried about their looks or the way they present themselves (like being a bitch). One newscaster said on his show that women might be good in office without the PMS and mood swings. Stereotypes and treatment like this puts the United States two steps behind in political efficacy for all. Women can do a lot of things in America, but being a respectable person in government isn't one of them.

    

Photoshopped pictures of Sarah Palin. What a turn on. But what a horrible candidate.