In the state of California, election day is finally upon us. With the state of today’s political atmosphere, participating in the midterm election is extremely important. I figured I would take this time to reflect on how this election season has affected me as a woman, someone who lives in a conservative district, and as a liberal working for a republican.
I think one of hardest things about being a woman in politics is how women are treated. Our Democratic congressional candidate is Audrey Denney. She is qualified, educated, and personable. However, despite all of those things, she is regarded for her looks. Everyone refers to her as being beautiful, but that’s not what makes her a great option for congress. When men run for office, looks never come up, but for women they are a deal breaking factor. Check out this article on how what women wear during campaign season affects how voters view them, more so than men. Many of us remember the SNL skits showcasing the criticism both Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton faced in 2008.
I believe it is important to realize how women are viewed especially in politics. It is disheartening for all people and takes the importance out of the role women play in politics. If more people are cognizant of it and try to change the way they view candidates, if it’s not for their policies or qualifications, our political atmosphere can progress.
Politics in general is a very tricky game for all sides. Currently, bipartisanship is extremely low. It is one side or the other, no leeway. So when I got a job working for “the enemy” as people refer to it, being nervous was an understatement. I was certain no one would like me and everyone would be mean. However, that’s not what I experienced. My new coworkers are open-minded kind people who have opposing beliefs to me but never let it affect how we treat each other.
We have talks to understand each other’s views, but no side is right or wrong (except in climate change, it is real).
The negativity and harshness I faced came from people of my own party who I interacted with from the other side. They would yell at me and scream at me about how me being a republican, which I am not, is ruining our country. Everything I thought I would face from republicans, I faced from democrats. Everyone involved in politics are people first, so they should be treated as such. Working for the other side really changed how I view politics and the people who take part. I feel that I have grown as a person and as a someone who works in politics. Walking in someone else’s shoes helped my viewpoints expand for miles.
I grew up in the very liberal Los Angeles, and my views reflect that. It has really been eye opening moving somewhere where the norm is conservative. Both sides believe that they are doing the right thing for the country, and truly no side is the right side. Both have the truest and greatest of intentions. There’s so much more to the world than the political bubble we all live in. Expand your horizons, get coffee with someone for the other side, and see how much you have in common that you never thought you would.
So as the campaign season comes to an end, reflect on the role you played in it. Did you advocate for all people? Did you exercise your civic duty? Did your views change or grow?
Election season is so important and it is pivotal that everyone gets involved. I just wanted to ramble about my experience as a double agent and a woman. I hope my story helps you grow and view politics differently. My challenge to you is to expand your political horizons, vote in every election you can, and to take gender out of the political equation. We all start off as people first, don’t forget that.