-----Original Message----- > Becky Boland
> Traditionally women have a harder time running for office, for various reasons, don't get me > started, and when redistricitng comes around, it is an ideal time to make it more difficult. [TB] I find this interesting as there has been considerable writing in the literature that a female candidate has about a 5% advantage over a male candidate. Many men fear a female opponent. The object of redistricting is not to protect incumbents and the argument that they should be protected makes to assumption that they will seek reelection in the next election. In this city as recently as 60 days ago, women made up the majority of the City Council. I really doubt that the reason that changed was because the ward boundaries are sexist. More likely, its difficult to be elected if your name isn't on the ballot. > Becky Boland again: > In my opinion, it should be a goal of everyone's to get more women involved in running for > office and more active in the political process. [TB] I find that statement rather sexist. It should be a goal to get more *people* both running for office and involved in the process. We have a tremendous number of people who just don't care enough to get involved. Those that don't care enough are both men and women. > Becky Boland again: > It is traditionally dominated by men, and therefore it is difficult for women and other > minorities to take leadership positions. [TB] Medicine was traditionally dominated by men, today there are more women entering medical school than men. Other professions have seen similar changes. In my experience any political organization welcomes anyone who wants to be involved with very open arms and it doesn't take long for those with the desire to take leadership positions. One of the reasons that there are not more women on the Redistricting Commission is that more (including Ms. Boland) did not take the initiative to apply. Terrell Brown Loring Park terrell@terrellbrown .org _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
