What's Really Important Can America Vote Black?
In the wake of the North Carolina and Indiana Democratic primaries, it becomes quite apparent that barring any totally unforeseen circumstances, Barack Obama is going to be the Democratic presidential nominee. I see no way Hillary Clinton can get the nomination unless the super delegates decide to totally ignore the will of the people in the primary states, which is quite unlikely.
Finally the time rapidly approaches to address the real question, namely, is America ready, willing, and able to vote for a Black male as President of the United States? An election process beginning as the search to pick the most qualified candidate for president must inevitably end by testing the climate of racism in America. Ironically, the Democratic theme during the primaries as well as the upcoming national elections will be the necessity of change, an obvious approach after seven long and seriously flawed years of the Bush Administration and an enabling Congress. Any Democratic candidate would be running on a platform of change. Ironically, Barack Obama represents a whole lot more than mere political change. He is a Black man in a nation that historically and presently continues to be a hot bed of racism and discrimination. America, ready or not, has reached a critical nexus point in its history, and racism can no longer remain on the back burner.
The nation is in dire need of change, something even Republicans not in terminal denial will admit. America is literally stuck in a resource-vamped quagmire in Iraq and the Middle East, which has resulted in a huge negative shift in world opinion toward the United States. The nation has been rocked by numerous political, governmental, moral, ethical and financial scandals. There is an economic crisis that many experts fear is only going to get worse, sooner rather than later. The value of the dollar steadily drops as gasoline prices and inflation skyrocket, and the real victims are everyone in America not independently wealthy, namely, everyone else. Is there a huge need for change? Do kangaroos hop?
The political approach and ideals of Barack Obama do appear to represent the needed change, but does he perhaps epitomize a lot more change than many Americans are ready for? He himself IS change, the first Black person to come within reach of being president, a reality that directly touches the heart of prejudice and discrimination in America. Though many are desperately desirous of political change, are they also willing to transcend deeply ingrained prejudices and attitudes in order to put an African-American in the White House in order to accomplish that change?
With the end of the Democratic primary now in sight, and the steady approach of the national election, the issue of electability of an African-American candidate must now be addressed. Unquestionably, many Hillary Clinton supporters are longtime loyal Clinton fans, along with many women anxious to see the first woman elected president. No doubt many of these people are also convinced that she would make a good president, yet how many are voting for her because they will not vote for an African-American? In a national election, how many will vote for John McCain because they are incapable of voting for a Black man?
These questions can no longer be ignored. A lot of Americans are ready to fire the Republicans, and others are tired of the old political ploys of the Clintons, and many are willing and able to vote for Barack Obama. How many, however, will be motivated more by issues of race than politics? The real question as we steadily approach the national election is how many will not vote for a Black man, period? We may not want to look at this aspect of the present election cycle, and may inwardly cringe at doing so, but there is ultimately no way to avoid it.
Many desperately believing the Democrats must take the White House in 2008, are asking themselves if Barack Obama can be elected in white America. Many who dislike the present day Republican party and John McCain may be considering voting Republican, simply because their racism trumps their political wisdom. Will Barack Obama be able to convince those still challenged by racial issues that his qualifications, and the present needs of the nation trump their prejudice?
Will the nation finally move on and become a place where, who a person is, determined by their thoughts and actions, is more important than something as arbitrary as the color of their skin, or any other characteristic that is beyond their control?This will test the mettle of America, as a people and a nation. Where do you stand?
Comments
How timely your article is for me since my sister and I had this converstion only an hour ago. We worry about the same issue. I do know some people would never vote for Hillary Clinton because she is a woman, period. But now, if Barack Obama becomes our choice, will they overcome the race issue? In my heart I know some will not. I only pray they are a limited few.
Posted by: Sharon Bloomingcamp | May 7, 2008 05:13 PM
I hope so as well Sharon. I was actually inspired to write this blog because of conversations I've had with my mother. She is convinced that there are a lot people in this nation who will not vote for an African-American, period. She is quite worried that McCain will get into the White House because of it.
Personally, I believe that considering the seven disastrous years of Bush/Cheney, the desperate need for change, and the growing popularity of Obama and his message, that Obama can win. I truly hope this is a lot more than wishful thinking.
Posted by: Stephen | May 7, 2008 05:29 PM
Do kangaroos hop? ha ha... the theme behind the anti-Obama movement is that he is "the other" - from being black, Muslim, non-patriotic, radical, elite... anything to imply he isn't one of "us"...
well thanks to Rev. Wright the Muslim LIE died a torturous death, since "patriotism" depends on a lapel pin Hillary and McCain are also lacking...
and my answer about will voters resist from voting for a black man is OPRAH! Oprah is one of "us" - nobody has more influence in the mass media than Oprah - she has more influence than Bill O'Reilly and Rush. with NO opposition McCain fails to capture 27% of the republican vote - it's going to Radical Cleric Huckabee who is supporting McCain and Ron Paul who ISN'T... yet do the pundits question if McCain is electable? the Obama campaign's challenge is to diffuse the "he's not one of us" mantra while exposing just how much McCain truely isn't. Romney was a member of the "strange CULT of Mormonism" - John Edwards even though running a populist campaign was the "Breck Girl" elitist - the mass media tags candidates as either "one of us" or "the other" - so much more important than covering issues. thanks for another great blog.
Posted by: heartfood | May 7, 2008 11:08 PM
Hi Stephen,
I haven't posted on here in a long time, and it is funny that the first question I see is one closely related to my final paper for Women Studies. Our paper was on whether or not I would vote for Hillary Clinton or not and why? I wrote I would not be voting for Hillary not because she is a women but because I do not like a lot of her policies. I will be voting for Obama. I like him, I think it is about time we shook off the white slavery mentality of the rich and elite and got with the new millinium. I feel it is just utterly ridiculous that in the twenty first century that we even have to ask are we ready for a black or woman president. It should have happened a long time ago. I have also heard the joke about how long Obama will live after becoming president. That he will be killed just because he is black by the KKK or Neo Nazi's. I pray this doesn't happen, it would rip our country apart.
We have a chance here not only to heal our nation racially but to make a dramatic change in our country and in history.
Just so you know, I have heard quite a few of my republican friends say they don't like McCain and will vote for Obama. I've also heard some die-hard reps say they can't wait to vote McCain into office... God what a horror that would be. I just pray and hope our people come to their senses and see the opportunity our nation has right now.
Posted by: Katerina | May 8, 2008 11:08 PM