Race and gender in
election, a Kurdish-American perspective
Jan 15, 2008 By: Kay Azadabeen
I heard that one of the presidential candidates had stated this election is not
about gender or race. I was surprised. Let's be real. Arguing that this election
is not about race and gender is similar to arguing that liberation of Iraq is
not about human rights. From a Kurdish-American perspective, this election is as
much about ending the traditional gender and racial disparities as the
liberation of Iraq was about ending the human rights violations. Except for race
and gender all other election themes are the same old stories. I try to
highlights some key points regarding this election from a Kurdish-American
perspective.
American part of the perspective
In contrary to what the old world might think, Americans in general and women
and blacks in particular are not naïve. They know taxes are unpleasant, everyone
should have health care, people need to take responsibilities and not wait for
the government to take care of them. They know government is needed to take care
of schools, roads, seniors, orphans, unemployed, and homeless. They know guns
are not safe, and criminals who have guns are even less safe. They know smoking
is bad for wellbeing, and so is taking away people's choices. They know life of
the unborn is valuable but so is the life any other human being. The list of
these old issues goes on and on, and the argument remains the same across
elections.
What is unique in this election is taking gender and race issues one step
further. Yes, we know that American women have a stronger say in the political
life of the country. Yes, we know the entertainment and athletic industry is
appreciative of blacks' skills and talents. Yes, we know the current
administration like any other administration has done some good and some harm to
the country. Yes, we know it is time to change and any new comer will bring
change regardless of the party affiliation. What we don't know is why we have
not had a black or a woman as our president yet.
Kurdish part of the perspective
In contrary to what the old Middle Eastern establishments might think, the Kurds
are not naïve. Kurds know that they have 20 parliamentarians in Turkey, a
regional government in Iraq, are allowed to dance Kurdish with their Persian
friends, and are being considered to be given citizenship in Syria. Kurds also
know it is hypocritical to say those of them in Iraq who are liked by American
enterprises are of a better breed than the one in Turkey. They know it is
unethical to call all residents of Iran as Iranians, yet allow only the Persian
language to be official and only persons committed to a Persian version of an
Arab faith to lead the country. They know it is racism that the 22 Arab nations
do not support the Kurds have their own state in Iraq. They know it is fascism
not to allow the Kurds in Syria to claim their ethnic identity. The list could
go o and on, and the argument remains the same among the opposing nations.
What is unique about this era of the history of the Kurds is that they have
reached the point of no return. We know we can not ask the Kurdish children in
Southern Kurdistan that Turkey does not like your language and you need to
become a mountain Turk to make them happy. We know we can not tell the Kurds in
Persia your language is Persian and be happy with Persian pride as a Kurd. We
know we can not convince the Kurds in Turkey your parliamentarian are terrorists
and you should abandon them. We know we can not fool the Kurds in Syria that
only one form of Ba'athism is bad for you and you can live with the one that is
still in power. What we don't know yet, is why the Kurds do not have a state of
their own yet.
Conclusion:
From a Kurdish-American perspective, this election is about race and gender, as
Iraq war was about human rights. Kurds have never had a country of their own as
Americans have never had a black or a woman as their president. Could it be due
to insufficient discoloration to make a race more appealing to the dominant
culture in case of blacks, or insufficient amount of testosterone to become
interested in military equipment industry and oil drilling in case of women? We
know America is leading the change, but we don't know what would be the danger
of having a member of minorities for president? We know it is dangerous to run
for presidency as a woman in Afghanistan and Pakistan, a doubter in Iran and
Arabistan, and a Kurd in Turkistan. Since America is ahead of such countries,
they should promote higher standards on what humanity is about. Maybe it is time
for Americans to have a conservative white man to be the vice president of a
liberal black woman. If we do not have such an option, then it might be the time
for a black man and white women to share the office of presidency. On the same
line, if it is not possible to have a united free Kurdistan now, it might be the
time for the Kurds in Southern Kurdistan to have a state of their own and
encourage the Kurds in the other parts of their homeland to look for the answer
of their question when will be free, or kay azad abeen?
