The everlasting sexism of our society

We like to think that we, as Americans, are in a free country and that we all are no longer biased toward men. While this is thought to be a common goal by many people, it is very implausible when compared to the actions of the populace.

We continue to have preconceived notions that just because someone is a woman, she is unqualified. A woman is running for president? Oh, she must be a crazy feminist with no capabilities of running a country, right? Wrong. It is because of these assumptions that sexism is still alive and well in the United States.

Why is it that women are assumed to be too emotional, too irrational, too girly, too this, too that for everything we try to do? According to an in-depth poll done by Gallup, the number one concern for having Hillary Clinton in the race for president is that she is not qualified enough. You would think that after being a former first lady of the United States, secretary of state and senator, she would qualify as being a very qualified president. Perhaps she is thought to be unqualified simply because of her gender.

Along with being unqualified, Clinton is also attacked for her voice, mannerisms and appearance, all qualities that have nothing to do with being a worthy presidential candidate. She has been described by right wing media as “aging,” “shrill” and a “hellish housewife” that won’t stop nagging until she gets what she wants. This is where the critics are wrong . She may be “aging,” but that doesn’t enable her ability to run for president. She may have a “shrill” voice, but that has nothing to do with the depth of the words she speaks. And, she is in no way a “hellish housewife” as she has had many experiences of her own working for the United States government.

Just because one thinks that Hillary Clinton is best suited to be the president of the United States does not mean that they are a feminist. One can simply think that Clinton is the best presidential candidate without factoring gender into the equation. One’s gender does not depict her competence.

If and when we finally figure out that one’s gender does not define her ability to do a certain job, we will no longer live in a sexist society.

Sexism is still around because we are allowing it to be. We allow ourselves and others to continue to have these preconceived notions that just because Hillary Clinton is a female, she is a feminist and she is too emotional, too this or too that to be our president. Stop conforming to the sexist ways of our society and form your own opinions on each candidate based on what you see and hear, not on prejudgments.