Will America see a ‘first gentleman?

Aside from whether or not Emhoff will become the first gentleman, American politics still has hope because regardless of someone’s gender or skin color, everyone has a fair chance and can dream of new challenges.

CHUN SU-JINThe author is the head of the Today-People News team at the JoongAng Ilbo. Politics is chaotic in the United States, too. A presidential candidate made an outdated claim that women who don’t have children and raise cats are the problem and spreads ungrounded rumors that immigrants eat their dogs. Here, Democratic candidate Kamala Harris’ husband Douglas Emhoff provides a fresh contrast.

When he visited Korea as the second gentleman in 2022, he left a lasting impression in an interview. He said that he was the first second gentleman in the United States but would not be the last. He intentionally borrowed from what his mother-in-law — the mother of Vice President Harris — used to say to motivate her young daughter. Emhoff had a conviction that his wife’s success is his success and the nation’s success. I remember him saying that it was truly a manly thing to put his career aside to help his wife.

After the interview, I accompanied him on his visit to Gwangjang Market in Seoul. As he tasted kimchijeon (kimchi pancakes) and bindaetteok (mungbean fritters), people asked, “Is he is the husband of the vice president, not the vice president?” I am still not familiar with the term “second gentleman.” Now, he is busy campaigning to become the first gentleman. He must have been very nervous while watching the first television debate between his wife and former President Donald Trump on Sept. 10. The new owner of the White House will be decided in about 50 days.

Emhoff’s existence is important not because of his love story. His existence itself is meaningful because he’s one of a small number of helpers who challenge the establishment. Harris and her husband Emhoff have already made history, as she is running for president as a female and minority presidential candidate.

Former President Barack Obama spoke in the same context when he became the first African American to be elected president on Nov. 4, 2008. “If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible … tonight is your answer.” Aside from whether or not Emhoff will become the first gentleman, American politics still has hope because regardless of someone’s gender or skin color, everyone has a fair chance and can dream of new challenges. How about Korea? Is it a country where everything is possible? Can changes be made here?