With the 2008 presidential election coming up, debates on policies, the economy and the candidates themselves are often the heated topics of various conversations. It is no secret that this year the Democrats are considering two candidates who do not fall into the white male category—something that has not yet occurred in the history of this country. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are both in line to be the first representative of a minority to hold the most powerful position in the country in which we live, the president of the United States.

Unfortunately, with this great opportunity comes a great deal of ridicule. Mudslinging has been a common part of American politics for decades, but Clinton and Obama are getting more of their fair share this election year, much of the ridicule being sexually and racially based. Slogans such as “Life is a b–, don’t vote for one,” “Hillary, iron my shirt,” and “Say No: Obama, Obama, and Chelsea’s Momma” appear on T-shirts. Facebook.com groups spring up with titles such as “Hillary Needs to Shut Up and Get Back in the Kitchen,” and “One-Million Strong Against Hillary and Obama.” People loudly declare that if a woman is elected president, they will move out of the country.

It is this type of slander that is completely inappropriate and out of line. When considering their options, it is important for voters to focus on the actual issues, the policies that the candidates are advocating and their level of experience. That is what determines whether or not the candidate would make a good commander in chief, not his or her gender or the color of his or her skin. Far too many people waste time vehemently defending their right to be sexist and racist, often trying to disguise it by claiming legitimate reasoning. People who dislike Clinton because she is “too ambitious” or Obama because his last name sounds “too Muslim” are ridiculous and not fooling anyone but themselves and other bigots like them.

It is imperative that we as college students dispel attitudes such as these from ourselves and from our friends. Why? Because we are part of the next generation of Americans. We are here to better ourselves, to learn and to give ourselves an opportunity for an intelligent, successful life after we graduate. We must frown upon and scorn ignorant jibes such as the ones above, often cloaked with an air of banter and defended with protests of “I was just kidding, lighten up!” Comments like these are not a joke; they are neither funny nor appropriate. They are misogynistic and racist, and they should not be condoned any longer.

So this election year, I beg you to keep in mind the reason these candidates are running for president: they care deeply about this country and truly want to make it a better place. That is what we all want. Gender and race have nothing to do with achieving that end; to vote for or refuse to vote for someone based on these characteristics is to throw away your vote. For us to remember this and have it be a goal to do away with ignorance and intolerance is to take a good step toward making this country what it always professes to be: a true land of liberty, freedom, and justice.