When we were growing up, we would hear our parents say that we can grow up to be anyone we want, even the president. Now wouldn't that be a thrilling idea, being the leader of the free nation. But as we grew older, we realize how much work goes in to becoming president. All the credentials you need to obtain and the ranks of political authority you must rise up in. By the time you run for president, your resume could be filled to ceiling. But even then you still need to convince the public that you are fit to be president through campaigning. The chances of becoming president are slim.
But I guess on November 8 2016, the credentials to become the U.S president changed. Donald Trump has never held any political position, but yet was able to convince about half the population that he is fit for presidency. The phrase "anyone can be president" is actually no longer just a slogan, it is a fact. Everyone now has the opportunity to become the president. Even though Donald Trump is disliked by the other half of the population, he has proved at least one thing. If Trump can be elected president, anyone can.
I like your post and completely understand your point. But I think I have to disagree. We're talking about a rich, white, businessman who yes, doesn't have political experience but clearly represents attitudes and ideologies that more than half of American's clearly align with. As improbable as it ever seemed that he'd be elected, his lack of experience doesn't push him that much off the mark of presidential possibilities. As we have now seen demonstrated.
ReplyDeleteBut could a Muslim become President? More specifically, a Muslim woman? If we're saying "anyone" can become President we have to make sure we're actually including all in the theory. Based on what we've seen happening in this country as of late, I'm not sure I realistically see our country ever going in that direction. As sad as that is. I hope I'm wrong.
"clearly represents attitudes and ideologies that more than half of American's clearly align with"
DeleteNo, it isn't clear.
"But could a Muslim become President?"
I'm not sure I can say this strongly enough. Growing up in the 1960s, anyone saying we would ever elect a Black president (we said Black back then, and not African-American) was
*literally*
science fiction. https://infogalactic.com/info/The_Man_(Wallace_novel)
I strongly agree with the fact that the phrase "anyone can be President" is total bullshit. I think that it should be taken in more of a sarcastic way, rather than serious. More of a, oh anyone can be President these days, you don't need any credentials, you just need to have a pulse. Rather than a follow your dreams you can be anything you want to be, even President! Anyone can do what they set their mind to.
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of people who could not even make it far enough to even think about seriously becoming President. Like you said, a Muslim woman, or any woman, as we've seen with Clinton's loss. But especially a woman of a different ethnicity. Any person with a physical disability, I don't think could become President with all the bias this country has.
"Any person with a physical disability, I don't think could become President with all the bias this country has."
DeleteYou mean like FDR, who was in a wheelchair because of polio?
Or JFK (back pain), the other Roosevelt (asthma and partial blindness), Madison (epilepsy), or Jefferson (stuttering)?
"[Trump] was able to convince about half the population that he is fit for presidency."
ReplyDeleteNo.
According to http://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2016/11/10/13587462/trump-election-2016-voter-turnout (which references http://www.electproject.org/2016g), only 27% of eligible voters chose him.
And there is no way to tell how many of them voted because they felt he was fit, and how many voted for him because they felt Clinton was even worse.
"Even though Donald Trump is disliked by the other half of the population"
You can say the same thing about every other winning candidate in every other political race for the past 2500 years.