Team 4: Story 1: Gender and Race in Political Campaigns

Gender and Race in Politics.

Excited for her future, she headed to the state capitol in hopes to network with politicians who could educate and inspire her. But as she walked up the front steps she began to notice a pattern. Everyone who exited and entered the building before her wore a suit in some shade of black, grey or blue. They all resembled her grandfather who she had seen dressed in a similar ensemble many times before.

Finally reaching the inside of the historical structure, she peered around the room. She soon realized her bright pink suit stood out in the sea of neutral blazers and plain neck ties. She was the only woman in sight, but that did not stop her from achieving her dreams. As a little girl, Jodee Crane was introduced to government and politics by visiting the state capitol where her grandfather served as a Mississippi Senator for district 33. She was intrigued by the work of her grandfather and those she interacted with while visiting with him at

Despite her motivation and accomplishments, for the first time Crane realized her goals may not be as easily achievable as she originally thought. She watched as politicians fought to change the lives of Mississippians for the better, and she wondered to herself, would she ever be able to accomplish what she’d seen from her grandfather? The political climate in America is far from diverse. According to the Pew Research Center in 2023, women only makeup 29% of the members of Congress. Additionally, non-white congressmen only makeup 25% of the U.S. Congress. As someone who grew up involved in the political system, Crane was inspired by her experience and is now pursuing a career in government affairs and is a Senior studying Political Science at Mississippi State University. Though Crane is confident in her skills and ability to achieve her goals, like many women, she has faced obstacles relating to her gender.

“I was job shadowing a lobbyist when I was a junior in high school, and she told me that she felt like the only reason that she had respect in her career is because she had gotten her law degree, which is not required to be a lobbyist there’s really not many requirements,” said Crane. “The more and more that I spoke with different lobbyists, I found it very interesting that those men told me that you did not need a law degree to be a lobbyist. And most women told me that you did.” Whereas some might be granted respect by societal standards, gender and racial minorities often have to work much harder for theirs. Though they may have the same credentials, men are more likely to be elected over a woman. Crane explained that historically women have had to fight for even the smallest necessities in government and referred to women gaining the right to vote only 104 years ago. “I actually heard a story the other day about the reason why we have female bathrooms in our capitol,” said Crane. “It’s because the first woman in the Senate just started using the men's bathroom on the Senate floor, because she was so irate that there wasn't a single bathroom in the entire capitol for a woman to be able to use.”

This is just one example of how women are often seen as inferior in political settings and their needs are often ignored. Additionally, women are often subjected to disrespect due to their feminine qualities and are pressured to fit in with what Crane described as “the boys club” of male political leaders. “I think the thing that I really would struggle with, I think what most women struggle with is like, maybe you get the job. But are you given respect?” said Crane. “When you're wearing a pink interview suit, you're cute and sweet, and it can be nice to have those compliments, but I mean, it's just a different level of respect than your peers.” Like Crane, many women have faith in their ability to achieve their goals in today’s political climate despite the struggle that comes with their gender. Starkville mayor, Lynn Spruill, described her reasoning for why more women aren’t well-represented in American politics.

“It's just, it makes me crazy. How a lot of it, I think, has to do with them feeling like the obligations are elsewhere. And that's pretty typical,” Spruill said. “So it's just a matter of doing it, you know, you can’t let the inequality put you off, you have to become a part of that process to make things better.” Though Spruill may face backlash regarding her gender, she denied ever recognizing it for what it is. Instead, Spruill says she focuses on the representation women have accomplished despite gender inequality. “Actually, Mississippi's got a number of pretty good female mayors that have been around for a while. Robin Tannehill up in Oxford, and Mayor Mary in Madison, who has been a powerhouse down there, forever,” Spruill said. “I think women do government very well, because it's not a it's not a zero sum game, and we can appreciate the compromise that comes of it. I think women have an ability to bring people together and to allow for some of that compromise.” Three women, including the mayor, makeup the total of seven representatives on the Starkville board of Alderman. Spruill expressed gratitude for the women who were elected and believes women are a necessary addition to political leadership. “I do think it would be a huge, huge benefit to us to have more women, particularly in government and politics,” Spruill said, “I think we women are suited for government, politics less so, politics is the ugly side of governing. But I think we're well suited to govern.” In addition to the underrepresentation of women in American politics, racial minorities make up a small share of governmental representation. The Pew Research Center reported that people of color only make up 25% of U.S. Congress in 2023. Spruill shared her strategy to increase minority representation in her city. “We have to push them to engage in local politics, all you can do is strongly encourage people to get engaged, because it does make a difference,” Spruill said. “And I mean, it's your community, if you want to have good quality roads, if you want to have good quality schools, if you want to have good quality parks, and amenities, then you need to be able to participate in in provide feedback and serve on committees that we're gonna make those differences as you want them to happen.”However, for most minorities, getting involved in the political sphere is more difficult than it is for others.

Dr. Julius Nukpezah, a political analyst and professor from Ghana, Africa, explained that these difficulties run deeper than a lack of political participation. “The challenge for African American is social upward mobility challenges. African Americans lag the rest of the United States when it comes to educational attainment, and it's even easier to compare their income. There are differences,” Nukpezah said. “On average, those who identify as white report much higher income than those who identify otherwise. But the reality is politics is money. So if you're running for politics and you identify as not white, you are less likely to attract the funds from those super PACs.” Inequality within the economic, education and social systems in the U.S. have disproportionately affected racial minorities in addition to women. In turn, this directly affects their representation and participation in politics. Nukpezah corroborated this fact. “Whites are more likely to participate in political discourse than blacks. Males are more likely to participate than females,” Nukpezah said. “So it makes sense that white males are more likely to be actively involved in public policy.” Despite the prominent history of white male political leadership in the United States, large strides have been made to progress toward more equality in governance. Though the numbers do not display perfect equality, they are better than they have ever been. Nukpezah explained some of these progressions. “We had a black president and I always tell people 50% of the US population is white, if a black man could become president, obviously we’re doing something good,” Nukpezah said. “So if we just keep trying, hopefully our chance will come.” Instead of waiting for progress to be made, Nukpezah agreed with Spruill and encouraged the younger generation to get involved. He shared his advice to anyone discouraged by inequality and pushed for them to stay persistent. “Well look at Barack Obama. Look at Kamala Harris, find a role model who looks like you,” Nukpezah said. “Explore ways to really make a lasting impact on this problem, learn from mentors and then teach others, that's the only way.”

History and Background.

Throughout history, the dynamics of gender and race have played significant roles in shaping political landscapes around the world. From ancient civilizations to modern democracies, the interplay of gender and race has influenced power structures, policies, and social movements. Gender refers to the roles, behaviors, and expectations associated with being male, female, or non-binary, while race encompasses the social constructs and classifications based on physical characteristics such as skin color, ethnicity, and ancestry. In the early stages of human society, political systems often reflected patriarchal structures, where men held dominant roles in governance and decision-making processes. This dominance was perpetuated by cultural norms and traditions that assigned men as leaders and decision-makers, while relegating women to supportive and subordinate roles within the political sphere. Similarly, race has been a defining factor in politics since ancient times, with societies often organized hierarchically based on racial classifications. Systems of slavery, colonialism, and imperialism institutionalized racial hierarchies, with white supremacy prevailing in many parts of the world.

The modern concept of gender and race in politics began to take shape during the the 17th and 18th centuries, as thinkers and philosophers questioned traditional power structures and advocated for equality and individual rights. Influential figures such as Mary Wollstonecraft and John Stuart Mill challenged prevailing notions of women's inferiority and advocated for women's rights, including the right to participate in politics. Similarly, ideals of equality and liberty inspired movements against racial oppression, leading to the abolition of slavery in many countries and the emergence of movements for civil rights and racial equality. However, despite these advancements, deep-seated prejudices and discriminatory practices persisted, denying women and racial minorities full participation in political life.

The struggle for gender and racial equality gained momentum in the 19th and 20th centuries, driven by social movements such as feminism, suffrage, and civil rights. Women mobilized to demand the right to vote, culminating in the suffrage movements of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which secured women's suffrage in many countries. Similarly, racial minorities organized to challenge discriminatory laws and practices, leading to landmark victories such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in the United States, which outlawed segregation and discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. These movements transformed the political landscape, paving the way for women and racial minorities to participate more actively in politics and hold positions of power and influence. Despite progress towards gender and racial equality, challenges persist in achieving full representation and inclusion in politics. Women and racial minorities continue to be underrepresented in political institutions and face barriers to entry, including systemic biases, discriminatory practices, and unequal access to resources and opportunities. The persistence of gender and racial disparities in politics underscores the ongoing struggle to dismantle entrenched power structures and achieve true equality and justice for all. However, as awareness grows and grassroots movements mobilize for change, there is hope for a future where gender and race are no longer barriers to political participation and representation.

In the state of Mississippi, the history of gender and race in politics is deeply intertwined with the legacy of slavery, segregation, and civil rights struggles. Mississippi was once a stronghold of the Confederacy during the Civil War, where the institution of slavery was deeply entrenched. Following the Civil War and the abolition of slavery, Mississippi, like other Southern states, implemented Jim Crow laws that enforced racial segregation and disenfranchised African Americans. These laws systematically excluded African Americans from political participation and perpetuated white supremacy in the state's political institutions. Despite these obstacles, Mississippi became a battleground for the civil rights movement in the 20th century. African American leaders such as Medgar Evers and Fannie Lou Hamer spearheaded efforts to challenge segregation and voter suppression, organizing protests, voter registration drives, and legal challenges to discriminatory laws. Their efforts culminated in key victories such as the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which prohibited racial discrimination in voting and empowered federal authorities to oversee election practices in states with a history of voter suppression, including Mississippi. The struggle for gender equality in Mississippi also faced significant challenges. Women in Mississippi, like women across the United States, fought for the right to vote and participate fully in the political process. Organizations such as the Mississippi Woman Suffrage Association played a vital role in advocating for women's suffrage, leading to the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1920, which granted women the right to vote. Despite this milestone, gender disparities persisted in Mississippi politics, with women facing barriers to leadership positions and representation in elected offices.

In recent decades, Mississippi has seen progress towards greater gender and racial diversity in politics, though challenges remain. African Americans have made significant gains in political representation, with individuals such as Mike Espy and Bennie Thompson serving in Congress and Chokwe Antar Lumumba elected as mayor of Jackson, the state capital. Similarly, women have made strides in political leadership, with figures such as Cindy Hyde-Smith becoming the first woman to represent Mississippi in the U.S. Senate. However, disparities persist, and efforts to achieve full gender and racial equality in Mississippi politics continue. The history and background of gender and race in politics are complex and multifaceted, shaped by centuries of cultural, social, and political dynamics. From ancient patriarchal societies to modern democracies, the interplay of gender and race has influenced power structures, policies, and social movements, shaping the course of history and the struggle for equality and justice. While progress has been made towards gender and racial equality, challenges persist, highlighting the need for continued activism and advocacy to ensure full representation and inclusion in politics for women and racial minorities.

Email the team at egt86@msstate.edu with any questions

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