Sexism story ignored

Hillary Clinton’s fall from the front-runner position resulted chiefly from our country’s deeply rooted sexism. If you look at our history, you notice that women have largely been subject to the will of men. Blacks were given the right to vote in 1870 with the 15th Amendment; women were not allowed to vote until 1920 with the 19th Amendment. Women also suffer more severe wage discrimination, with a woman of equal education and qualification earning only at most 77 cents to a male counterpart’s dollar.

But instead of discussing the pervasive sexism, the media focused entirely on race. Now, this isn’t to say that racism is no longer a powerful force. Of course, it is an ever-present force and open dialogue on race is definitely a step forward. However, sexism is even more of an issue than racism, and the fact that the media have ignored sexism during this presidential campaign only serves to empower sexism.

This is why Hillary Clinton experienced her fall from front-runner status: Americans don’t seem to be ready to accept a powerful woman as a leader, let alone discuss the sexism present in our country.

Wesley C. Dyer

Colbert, Wash.