A number of important "firsts" in the midterm election

The recent election results were not just good news for both progressive and moderate Democrats.  There were many important wins by people from communities too often overlooked in American politics. 

Every semester at Loyola I teach an undergraduate course on Health Equity.  The main focus is on structural prejudice and its effects on health status.  I invite guest lecturers to talk to our students about the relationship between poor health and poverty, LGBTQ status, gender, race and disability.  The most recent midterm elections showed remarkable success from politicians who exemplify leaders within these five populations.

I thought I would ask my students if these successes offered them more hope in our political system.  Here is what I put in front of them.  The average response was about 4, which I consider to be a strong statement of faith in contemporary politics.

OK, how cynical are you?  The election results are not yet complete, but the results so far are significant.  If you pay attention to the populations we have been focusing on this semester, you get these partial results:

Turek in Iowa, only the second disabled person in Congress, after Duckworth, Illinois senator.

Acton for governor of Ohio, female victim of child abuse, Jewish.

El Sayed in Michigan, first Muslim elected to the Senate.

Haaland, in New Mexico, first Native American governor.

Bottoms in Georgia, first female and first black governor of Georgia.  First black female governor of any state!

Pappas in New Hampshire, first openly gay man elected to the Senate.

Becerra in California, first Latino or Latina governor of California.

Hinajosa in Texas, first Latina or Latino governor of Texas.

Flanagan in Minnesota, first Native American elected to the Senate.

Peltola in Alaska, another Native America who is ahead in her senate race in Alaska.

Colom, ahead in his race to be the first Black Senator from Mississippi since Reconstruction.

Donalds in Florida, first Black governor of Florida (Republican).

Crowley, first Black governor of Wisconsin.

So, how much hope do you find in these results?  Just enter a number from 0 to 5, with 0 being “this doesn’t give me all that much hope” to 5 being “Oh my god, what wonderful things can we make happen next?”

I would have answered 5, but I was mildly surprised by the faith that my students had, given these results.  How would you have voted?