Carol Moseley Braun, first black female senator: ’Sexism is harder to change than racism’ – The Guardian

Report on the Political Career of Carol Moseley Braun and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Introduction: A Trailblazer for Sustainable Development

This report analyzes the political career and legacy of Carol Moseley Braun, the first African American woman elected to the U.S. Senate. Her work is examined through the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a particular focus on Gender Equality (SDG 5), Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10), and Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (SDG 16).

2.0 Advancing Gender Equality and Empowering Women (SDG 5)

Carol Moseley Braun’s career represents a significant milestone in the pursuit of SDG 5. Her journey was marked by breaking gender barriers and advocating for women’s rights.

• Historic Political Representation: As the first African American woman in the U.S. Senate, she directly contributed to Target 5.5, which aims to ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political life.
• Legislative Advocacy: Her legislative initiatives included support for survivors of domestic violence, directly addressing Target 5.2 (Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls).
• Confronting Sexism: Moseley Braun has stated that sexism is a more entrenched challenge than racism, highlighting the persistent cultural barriers that impede progress toward gender equality. Her presidential campaign in 2004 further challenged traditional perceptions of leadership.
• Legacy of Inspiration: Her tenure paved the way for subsequent female senators of color, including Kamala Harris, Laphonza Butler, Angela Alsobrooks, and Lisa Blunt Rochester, demonstrating a tangible impact on female political leadership.

3.0 Combating Systemic Disparities and Reducing Inequalities (SDG 10)

Throughout her career, Moseley Braun actively worked to reduce inequalities based on race and origin, in line with the objectives of SDG 10.

1. Early Civil Rights Activism: Her participation in a 1966 protest led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. established her early commitment to fighting racial injustice.
2. Challenging Racial Discrimination in Office: She faced overt racial hostility and microaggressions during her Senate tenure, including a notable incident with Senator Jesse Helms and being initially denied entry to the Senate floor by a guard. These experiences underscore the systemic barriers targeted by SDG 10.
3. Legislative Focus on Civil Rights: A core component of her legislative agenda was the advancement of civil rights, aiming to create a more equitable society for all citizens, regardless of race.
4. Critique of Modern Policies: Moseley Braun expresses concern over the reversal of progress, citing the rollback of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and racially charged rhetoric in contemporary politics as direct threats to the goal of reducing inequality.

4.0 Strengthening Democratic Institutions and Promoting Justice (SDG 16)

Moseley Braun’s public service career is a testament to the principles of SDG 16, which focuses on building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

• Pioneering Institutional Access: By breaking barriers to enter the Illinois General Assembly and the U.S. Senate, she helped make these institutions more inclusive and representative (Target 16.7).
• Commitment to Public Service: She defines public life as being about the “common good,” a foundational principle for accountable governance. She critiques political actions that she perceives as self-serving power grabs, which undermine public trust in institutions.
• Upholding Democratic Processes: Despite facing skepticism and financial hardship, her campaigns for Senate and the presidency reinforced the importance of participation in the democratic process.
• Warning Against Democratic Backsliding: Moseley Braun voices concern that political parties have struggled to formulate an effective response to actions that threaten the rule of law and democratic norms. She remains optimistic, however, in the public’s underlying valuation of democracy and its ability to resist authoritarianism.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The following SDGs are relevant to the article:

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • The article extensively discusses the challenges faced by women in politics, particularly women of color. It highlights Carol Moseley Braun’s experience as the “first African American woman in the Senate” and the sexism she encountered. She states, “sexism is a harder thing to change than racism.” The article also mentions her advocacy for “domestic violence survivors” and the societal challenge of electing a female president, as illustrated by her grandniece’s comment, “all the presidents are boys.”

2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • This goal is central to the article, which focuses on racial and gender-based inequality. Examples include Moseley Braun’s birth certificate being listed as “white” due to “racial segregation,” the “microaggressions” from Senator Jesse Helms, and being stopped by a guard at the US Capitol. The article also touches on broader issues of inequality, such as the backlash against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and the mistreatment of people “just because they look Hispanic.”

3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • The article addresses the importance of inclusive and representative political institutions. Moseley Braun’s entire political career, from the Illinois general assembly to the US Senate, is about participation in public life and strengthening democratic processes. The text highlights the lack of representation by noting she was the “sole African American in the Senate” and celebrates the progress that “four Black women have followed in her footsteps,” which speaks directly to making institutions more representative. Her concern about the Democratic party’s response to “lawlessness” also connects to the justice aspect of this goal.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article, the following specific targets can be identified:

• Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.

  • The article provides numerous examples of discrimination, such as Senator Helms’s attempt to intimidate Moseley Braun and the general skepticism she faced during her campaigns “because you’re Black and because you’re a woman.” Her assertion that “sexism is a harder thing to change than racism” underscores the persistent nature of this discrimination.

• Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres.

  • This target is directly referenced through Moseley Braun’s legislative initiatives, which included “advocating for… domestic violence survivors.”

• Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.

  • This is a core theme of the article. Moseley Braun’s journey as the “first African American woman in the Senate,” her presidential run, and the subsequent election of other Black women to the Senate (Kamala Harris, Laphonza Butler, Angela Alsobrooks, Lisa Blunt Rochester) are all directly related to women’s participation and leadership in political life.

• Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.

  • The article details the fight for political inclusion. Moseley Braun’s career is a testament to overcoming barriers to inclusion. Conversely, the article notes the reversal of such progress through efforts to “restrict or eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.”

• Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices.

  • The article highlights discriminatory practices, such as the “racial segregation” at the hospital of her birth and the guard preventing her from entering the Capitol. Her work on “civil rights” and the discussion of the dismantling of DEI initiatives and Black Lives Matter Plaza point to the ongoing struggle over policies that affect equal opportunity.

• Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.

  • The article directly addresses this by quantifying the representation of Black women in the US Senate. It states Moseley Braun was the “first Black woman elected to the Senate” and was the “sole African American in the Senate” during her term. The progress is noted by the fact that “four Black women have followed in her footsteps,” indicating a move toward more representative institutions.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article mentions or implies several indicators for measuring progress:

• Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments (Indicator for Target 5.5 and 16.7)

  • The article provides specific data points that serve as an indicator of representation. It establishes a baseline with Moseley Braun being the “first” and “sole” African American woman in the Senate between 1993-1999. It then measures progress by stating that since then, “four Black women have followed in her footsteps to the Senate.” This is a direct, quantifiable measure of representation in a national political institution.

• Proportion of people who have personally felt discriminated against or harassed (Indicator for Target 10.3)

  • While not a statistical survey, the article provides powerful qualitative evidence of discrimination through personal anecdotes. These include Moseley Braun’s encounters with Senator Helms and the Capitol guard, which she calls “microaggressions.” The mention of people being arrested “just because they look Hispanic” also serves as an anecdotal indicator of discriminatory practices.

• Existence of policies and initiatives aimed at inclusion (Indicator for Target 10.2)

  • The article implies this indicator by discussing the status of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The fact that executive orders “aim to restrict or eliminate” DEI and that Trump “baselessly blamed DEI” for a crash are negative indicators, suggesting a reversal of progress. The dismantling of “Black Lives Matter Plaza” is another tangible, negative indicator of institutional support for racial equality movements.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: theguardian.com