It's MAN's work

I feel like this whole election process has revolved around the women on the scene. Michelle Obama profiled as a stylish woman in Vogue, finding out what size jeans Cindy McCain wears on CNN of all places. This is not to mention the very, very obvious difference of a female primary candidate, Hillary Clinton this time around. Superfluous as these instances may seem, I've seen in all this in passing as a woman in the United States. As well-spoken as Barack Obama is and regardless of John McCain's track record, people seem to be interested in the women behind them (or in Hillary's case, she seemed to have the most media attention of all).

I find in White Teeth that I am more interested in the women (because I'm a woman? Maybe). But, maybe because they are just far more interesting characters. Alsana has a distinct "survival" mode that makes me incredulous and Clara is more into experiencing new things in her life after being sheltered (although to me she still seemed out of place in the commune). The correlation I see between this book and the characters in this year's election-- as many surface ones come to light, which others have pointed out may only be shared because they are all human-- I see a correlation between Clara and Cindy McCain. Besides being their husbands' younger, more attractive second wives, one scene in the book sticks out in my mind to illustrate their similarity. On page 44, when Archie is straining himself moving things into the apartment, Clara easily picks up a "large armchair," even though Archie says, "It's man's work, love."

Well, is it really? She can do it, and easily, too. In my experience of people speaking about the McCains, they seem to be more excited at the prospect of Cindy being in the White House, period. I am not saying I agree with them, or with others that feel we need a woman President, either. I think we should elect the best person for the job, male or female. The similarity still stands, however. Clara didn't have to pick up the armchair. Cindy didn't have to work hard in college or start all those organizations overseas. She's a strong woman, capable of many things, who has experimented in life a bit.