A new study has revealed that the Trump administration is on track to be the most male-dominated administration in nearly a quarter of a century.
Even with so much progress for women’s equality over the years, sexism, patriarchy and/or misogyny is not a worry of the past.
Yet, there are also other serious issues at the forefront of this administration: a nuclear crisis, natural disasters that have deeply affected the quality of life for so many, healthcare, etc.
Moreover, this past weekend, the national dialogue has shifted to worry over the attack of our First Amendment right to freedom of speech, after the President’s derogatory statements about NFL players protesting racial inequality during the national anthem.
So, how do we keep the conversation about women’s inequality a critical, relevant, and urgent topic among such divisiveness and despair?
Sexism is one symptom of the larger issue of the administration’s exclusionary mindset.
Yet, without more equal gender representation in any administration, and among our elected officials, how can critical issues such as the ones we now face, be effectively dealt with?
How can we heal as a nation, work together, and problem-solve without equal participation toward solutions?
Moreover, how can we better ensure that leaders who value constitutional protections, diversity, diplomacy, and other key democratic values be elected at the polls on Election Day?
It is important to acknowledge that sexism still exists within the political arena, apart from the inner workings of this administration.
Women are often dissuaded from political involvement, sometimes very outwardly and obviously, and at other times subtlety.
The political arena is seen by many as a sport, a kind of male-dominated game of winning and losing. This is not, of course, how democracy, equality, and justice thrive.
Our democracy is meant to be inclusive, a process for both the feminine and masculine, of all cultures, races, religions, sexes etc.
There is so much that can be done to combat inequality. Electing officials, from the local level to the national, that will stand for true equality is the most effective way to make certain that we continue progress toward empowerment and equality.
Get involved. Stay informed. Don’t stay quiet.
If you want, volunteer for a campaign. If someone dissuades you from political involvement, politely tell them that you disagree, and network with other people that will empower citizens, rather than disempower. Progress and civic engagement go hand-in-hand in a democracy.
Once we relegate a gender to only non-political arenas, and diminish sexism as a problem on a long list of minimal items of concern, we effectively disenfranchise the spirit of democratic participation.
Without the encouragement of all citizens to become directly invested and involved in any of the various forms of civic engagement, participation at the ballot box will also falter.
As we become nostalgic for an executive who values equality, diversity, and democratic values, we may also look forward to empower citizen participation and encourage civic engagement so that results at the ballot box better ensure that progress and problem-solving once again begin to dominate the headlines.
With Election Day right around the corner, it is an important time as any to remember that hope for justice and equality, in large part, resides within our right to vote.
Regardless of wealth, gender, culture, religion, race, etc., we all hold the same power at the voting booth, and we are all equals.
Diana Poulos-Lutz
Mineola
