Republican insensitivity hurts party's chances 
As the fall semester has abruptly interrupted my summer "break," one thing has become extremely apparent: Who I will support for president is probably one of the most important decisions I will make. Beyond merely exercising the most important right as an American citizen — voting — this election will resonate for future generations. In 2008, we were given a choice of "hope" and "change," and in 2012, a much more important choice is presented: the choice of whether we as a nation seek to place value on voices of those traditionally subjugated to positions of "invisibility."
In our "post-racial" society it has begun to feel as if differences are no longer desired, as attempts to create equality are supported by eliminating recognition of differences. Nonetheless, campaign news has made clear that inferential sexism and racism are guiding the politics of the Romney campaign. Inferential racism and sexism is like when your grandmother says, "I can't place my hand on what that means, but when I see it I can point it out." Stuart Hall suggests that "overt racism/sexism" is easily identifiable while "inferential racism/sexism" is a coding of "apparently naturalized representations of events and situations relating to race/sex" that have racist/sexist premises.
Republican surrogates have sought to distance themselves from the inferential sexism in Rep. Todd Akin's comments concerning "legitimate rape." The GOP platform has made clear where it stands on women's right to choose the destinies of their bodies. Leading into the Republican National Convention, Mitt Romney sought to excite his base by employing inferential racism. He called attention to the unsupported "birther" argument, claiming, "No one's ever asked to see my birth certificate. They know that this is the place that we were born and raised." What notion of an American is inferred by these political statements?
The response to this question affirms why this election will be the most important decision I make this semester. Can I support an America that devalues those disenfranchised and disadvantaged? Do I seek to support a political ethos that in earnest is not willing to discuss realities regarding social institutions that are as American as apple pie (e.g. race, sex, class)? Should I seek to support a party that looks nothing like my fellow classmates and their "diversity"? Will I support a party that makes false claims of vested interest in the health and well-being of women, while inferentially suggesting that women should not make decisions about their own bodies?
Regardless of where you stand in response to these questions, I ask that each of you take a moment to attempt to answer them. More importantly, I ask each of you to exercise the most important right that you have: vote!