… When women and people of color run for office, they tend to win at the same rates as white men. Nevertheless, my research shows that Americans see white men as more electable than equally qualified women and people of color. …
Most Americans are not sexist or racist — but they think other people are. As a result, they may doubt whether women and people of color can earn votes and win elections. I call this type of thinking “strategic discrimination.”
My research shows that strategic discrimination is a real problem. So how can candidates overcome it? CONT.
Regina Bateson, Monkey Cage