Tonight, to paraphrase Apollo astronaut Neil Armstrong, was one small step for Barack Obama, but one giant leap for my people and the nation. For the first time in our country's history, an African-American is the nominee for his party's nomination for president. I have said for years that I felt the country was too bigoted and prejudiced to ever have an African-American man as president. I felt the breakthrough African-American president would be a sistah. Well, we still have five months of GOP and Faux news mudslinging and character assasination to go, but I'm hoping that America proves me wrong on November 4 and my niece wakes up on her ninth birthday to witness more American history.
While I'm hopeful that Americans will see through the lies and spin to elect this well qualified man as president, my lifelong skepticism on all things that are touched by race in this country leads me to the justified fear that people will vote for McCain just to keep him out of that office.
My white brothers and sisters, please don't dismiss mine and the anxiety-riddled concerns of African-Americans. Here's an example of the mentality we'll have to deal with even in our own party.
It's ironic that on the 45th anniversary of the Dr. King's 'I Have A Dream Speech' this August, Barack Hussein Obama will take the stage at a Democratic convention once again.
But unlike four years ago in Boston, when he was a little known state senator from Illinois, this time he'll be taking the stage in Denver as a first term US Senator accepting the Democratic Party nomination.
And on that night, Dr. King, Shirley Chisolm and Fannie Lou Hamer will be smiling down at him.
5 comments:
As I said before, we now have a nominee. It's time for Hillary to energize her following to support the ticket. It's time for Bill to hit the road and raise money for local candidates.
It's time to kick John McCain's butt. He isn't up to the job.
The real tragedy would be if Hillary supporters really voted for McCain, despite the fact that Obama's positions on issues are not much different from Hillary's. Racism could be the only reason for that, and it's time for that to end right freaking now. I meet someone like that, they're getting a left jab.
This is a great moment. Until recently, I was more of a Clinton supporter, but there was no bad outcome for me. Either a woman or an African-American was going to win the nomination, and I'm happy with this result (especially given Clinton's recent behaviour).
I think your concerns are well founded, but I hope there aren't enough racists to muck up this election. This white girl will be voting for Obama, proudly.
If people who supported Senator Clinton now want to vote for Senator McCain, how much did they support or even understand her positions on the issues? The election isn't for Prom Queen, it's for President. I think those who supported her are closeted conservatives, and I believe her to be more conservative than she lets on to people. I honestly saw little support coming from her concerning LGBT issues. Now it's time for her to go back to the Senate and stop making so much trouble for Senator Obama. This is one white woman who will work hard to see that Senator Obama is elected our next President.
Monica, I agree that your concerns are well-founded. Exit polls in the latter stages of the primary season and online comments made in my local newspapers' websites worry me that we are only beginning to see race as a factor in the campaign.
But these things only strengthen my resolve to elect Barak, for the good of this country. I do not doubt that many others feel the same.
I actually found your blog after doing a google image search for my attorney's name. (Kylar Broadus) As much as he is an amazing activist, he's a fantastic person and a lawyer who fights for his clients.
I'm a trans man, as pale as the backround of the text box I'm typing in. My skin color didn't determine who I voted for in the primaries, and it doesn't determine who has my vote come the election. Obama is the best candidate in my opinion, and that has nothing to do with his skin either!
He seems to genuinely care about LGBT issues and about taking care of those who need help (like those who are impoverished to the point of choosing between medicine and food).
I applaud the choice of those who voted in the democratic primary, and only hope that the spin doctors are prevented from innoculating all of America with their poison rhetoric.
Luc
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