Americans go to the polls Tuesday. One thing is certain about the result: the winners will look nothing like the voters.
The best way to change this is to start locally. Doing so creates vibrant businesses and communities.
Where My Girls At?
Currently, there are 80 male senators and 20 female senators. The best case for women following Tuesday’s election is still fewer than 30 senators, even though women make up 51% of the population.
Many of us are aware of this under representation at the highest levels of politics, but we may not know that this trend permeates our entire society.
Of all federal, state and county-wide offices, whites occupy 90% of these positions of power despite making up only 63% of the population. Men make up 49% of the population but hold 71% of the offices according to the New Yorker.
What’s wrong?
As Jelani Cobb reports, problems start in our community. When one gets involved locally, there is a better chance they will “graduate” up to a state or federal office.
Unfortunately, it’s too difficult to get started in many communities.
Local Roadblocks
Electoral System
Nearly 50% of small cities and 44% of medium-sized cities rely on at-large municipal elections (New Yorker). This makes it difficult for minority groups to get elected in the first place because they compete against the majority population.
The alternative is being elected by wards or districts. This makes it easier to campaign and get one’s name out. It also allows a candidate of a minority groups to be more easily elected because their community is often concentrated in a specific ward or district.
Local Leadership
In addition to the electoral system, potential leaders need encouragement to get involved locally, especially if they are women or a member of a minority group.
When leaders emerge locally by participating in a local organization, running for a municipal office, or creating community events, they gain confidence and recognition. Leading locally is the best preparation for future public service. If women and minority leaders never get a chance to participate in our own communities, how could we expect them to do so on a larger scale?
Social Networking Locally
A successful campaign requires support. Often this comes in the form of coworkers, friends, unions, and essentially, one’s social network. The more diverse our workplaces and social networks, the more likely women and minority candidates will have the support needed to represent us locally and nationally.
Locally, political parties often look for someone to run from their own social network. Diversifying our own networks is thus a way to diversify the pool of candidates.
Who Cares?
Talking percentages and representation smells of quotas and is something many would rather not discuss. In the end, who cares if our representatives look like us?
The fact is: it matters, especially for rural businesses and communities.
When our leaders, whether in the political or business world, do not look like us, we assume there is not a place for us at the table. Without female business mentors, for example, fewer women will think they can become business leaders. Similarly in a small community, if none of the leaders look like a certain minority, it is less likely someone from that minority group will consider leading or even staying in the community.
What’s more, openness and tolerance are key factors to attracting and retaining creative residents.
Peter Kageyama references a Knight Foundation survey that found openness as the number one trait in determining a resident’s attachment to a community. Richard Florida takes it a step further and identified tolerance as key to the long-term economic success of communities.
If we want vibrant communities and fast-growing businesses, diversity is essential.
Diversify Locally for Change Nationally
Many will throw their hands up Tuesday in frustration of who gets elected. Instead of throwing up our hands, let’s point our fingers at our own communities. How can we ensure openness and opportunity for residents regardless of gender, color or ethnicity?
Start locally. Encourage and engage potential leaders. Increased engagement locally improves our communities and might just change the face of politics nationally.
Photo: NY Daily News
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