I am not political. I dont vote, and in return I dont complain.

When I was in college, ethnic pride was beginning a rebirth. It was the late 80s/early 90s, and the “Me Generation” of the 1980s was being replaced with the “Who Am I?” generation. The discussions were around the origins of groups, how groups interacted, and how they clashed.

There was a lot of discussion, at least at UC Davis, around Blacks and Jews and our traditional and current interactions. We had people like Leonard Jefferies on campus, and Louis Farrakhan in the news.

One topic that we always seemed to come back around to, what this question:

Which would be the first elected to be President of the United States? A Black Man, A White Woman, or A Jewish Man?

I always stated that the United States of America was inherently Anti-Semetic, almost institutionally, since Jews came to the US as immigrants, and in many ways became quite successful as an ethnic group.

With African-Americans and Women there was a universal guilt around slavery, the civil rights movement and women’s rights.

In addition, for me, the biggest difference was that bigots HATE Blacks and Women; they dont TRUST Jews.

And here it is, 15 years after I graduated, and we have a Black man that is about to run for president after narrowly beating a Woman. Yes, 8 years ago, a Jewish man was the VP candidate, and 20 years ago there was a Woman VP candidate. But that almost doesnt matter. They werent running for the top job.

It looks like Obama has a great chance, and he might chose Clinton as his running mate. I truly wonder how the South and other traditionally bigoted areas of the States will vote.

Can the United States raise above their institutionalized racism, sexism and bigotry? I dunno, but maybe if they did, I would believe again in our system and its ability to truly represent me, which would lead me to vote.

Until then, I will chose to not complain at the choice made (even if I chose to be disappointed).

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