American Political Landscape: Histories of Exclusion

To understand And She Could be Next and its full potential means revisiting the historical landscape of the United States. Additionally, to fully grasp the importance of the Women of Color fighting at the grassroots level for political leadership, it is crucial to understand the historical realities of disenfranchisement and the ways that women of color, specifically, have been excluded from access to the political stage in America. After the Civil War, freed slaves “earned” the right to vote and hold office - the 15th Amendment of the Constitution made this clear in 1870 evidenced by the right to vote regardless of race or color. Importantly, however; this invitation to civic participation was not open to women. Though African Americans finally secured the right to vote, barriers embedded within Jim Crow Laws - and amplified through common social and cultural intimidation practices - continued to impede Black peoples’ ability to safely and securely exercise these rights they were granted. Some examples of the barriers include tests and examinations that were required to pass in order to vote that required literacy skills. Newly freed slaves had been banned from formal education, therefore lacked the necessary skills of reading and writing, which made these exams a barrier to casting their votes. Therefore, the right to vote became a battle against systemic racism and the economic, educational, and political implications of institutionalized oppression. This was the earliest enactment of voter suppression.

Importantly, this context does not even include or consider the right for women to vote. Suffrage was not extended to women until 1920 through the 19th Amendment, and it was not until 1965 via the Voting Rights Act that Jim Crow Laws were eradicated. So, women of color being seen and heard on the political forefront is new and urgent because they have been historically marginalized and excluded from participations. Unfortunately, voter suppression continues covertly in present-day voting practices and the representation of women of color, though growing, is still slim.

Women of Color as Leaders

Historically, women of color have been leading the way to make changes in order to break barriers beyond just gender and race. Though often underrepresented in the field of politics due to institutional barriers, their voices and influences have been mighty. Despite the reality that in 2018 women of color represented less than 9% of Congress - in that very same year - women of color enacted significant gains and pushed boundaries of power in politics by record numbers with both local and statewide offices. Many of those running said they were inspired to run based on the outcome of the 2016 election in which Hillary Clinton, the first female candidate from a major political party, ran for President of the United States. Though before Hillary Clinton, there was Shirley Chisolm, the first African American woman in Congress (1968) and the first woman and African American to seek the nomination for President of the United States from one of the two major political parties (1972).

In a country with a history of excluding non-white people and women from voting and running for office, a transformation is happening. Though the terrain is a steady struggle, there is an increase in voter awareness in communities of color and immigrant communities. The urgent need for women of color to hold political office is being seen and felt, and more and more women are courageously attempting to fill these gaps. The realities and understanding that the United States and the politics of this country were established based on exclusivity, patriarchy, and white supremacy are being realized every day. The timeliness of And She Could be Next could not be more necessary as, in 2020, the United States navigates the multiple layers and intersecting pandemics of racism, sexism, and COVID-19. Through grassroots efforts and community organizing, change is possible. Contemporary political crises in America reflect this historical reality: women of color continue to step into their power and lead organized movements against white supremacist and patriarchal institutions.

The New American Majority: An Overview

For the first time during the 2018 midterm elections, more women and people of color than white men ran for congressional seats: a record high. The diversity in candidates led to, and was impacted by, a transformation in how voters were engaged in politics and informed about candidates. Stepping into leadership roles afforded greater control of narratives through which women of color were framed on the political stage, which then positively impacted the inclusivity and diversity in voter turnout. The Congressional class ushered in by the midterm elections, was made up of more than 60 percent women, people of color, and LGBTQ representatives, and included the youngest women, the first Native Americans, and the first Muslim-American women to serve in Congress. This push for the transformation of the political landscape of America was done in part by the New American Majority.

Steadily there has been a shift in the political conversations happening across cultures, races, socioeconomic status, abilities, age, sexuality, gender and religion. The New American Majority is defined as a future where America is majority non-white and is composed of immigrant and working-class communities of color that make up more than half of the American political electorate. The New American Majority also shows the potential and importance for disenfranchised communities to reclaim power and the movement towards revamping political structures for a new majority of people - people who have been underrepresented for far too long in this democratic nation. The struggle continues as these majority-minority communities continue to experience forms of disenfranchisement through gerrymandering, voter ID laws, and a lack of accessible and functional community polling stations. In that sense, the fight for equality continues to be pressing and urgent.