“And even though it seems heaven sent,we ain’t ready to see a black President” -Tupac Shakur, “Changes”
The quote above has exemplified the sentiments of America for as long as this country has existed. For 232 years, the American Presidency has belonged to one distinct fraternity. A fraternity that consisted of men whom shared the same skin color, religion (besides Kennedy), and basic genetic make-up. Up until this year’s heavily contested Democratic Primary, there has never been a minority candidate with a serious opportunity to capture the Presidency. What would it mean to have a black President?
A black man as President would mean that America (although still plagued with racism, prejudice, bigotry, etc.) has grown enough as a nation, to accept the fact that minorities are as competent as whites in America. It would mean that if a black man can be the head of the nation, why not the head of a multi-million dollar corporation. If a black man can hold the most powerful Office in the World, then there should be no Office unattainable. The rudimentary notion of Barack Obama winning the Presidency is NOT that he is a black man, rather the principle that Americans were able to IGNORE the fact that he is a black man, and elect him to the Presidency as the BEST representative. It is not the color of his skin that matters, it is the disregard of the color of his skin which becomes so fundamentally important.
Barack Obama as President would mean that we are that much closer to achieving Dr. King’s “Dream” of equality. It would be a step towards removing the invisible ceiling that limits minority advancement in America, and a breaking of the red-tape which binds minority progress. A black President is not just an achievement for African-Americans, it is an achievement for America as a whole. A step towards enlightenment and a display of respect for one’s countrymen regardless of race. It illustrates an attempt by Americans to honor people of ALL backgrounds, by considering them as viable candidates and listening to what these candidates have to say, without prejudging them.
The fact that Barack Obama has been able to achieve as much as he has is utterly remarkable. No one is asking America to choose Obama to breakdown stereotypes and ill contrived beliefs about minorities; that becomes merely a consequence of choosing the best candidate for the job. Listen to the message, then ask yourself; If I were color blind, who would I choose?
2 comments:
So, while I appreciate the sentiment of the post, I'm pretty sure I disagree and I think it highlights my greatest fear for my community regarding the potential election of Barack Obama.
For so many reasons, Barack Obama becoming president of the United States is NOT an arrival of King's dream of racial reconciliation or equality. It's not even a great indicator or milestone along that path.
As excited as I am about Obama, I'm frightened the attention he's receiving and the magnitude of the success will completely overshadow the ills that exist in our communities and undermine the argument that the abominable state of African Americans (especially in urban centers) is the direct result of economic and social oppression rooted in societal racism.
I have this nightmare that on Obama's inauguration, there will be a ton of Blacks lining Alabama Avenue hand-in-hand amongst the squallor, crime, and dilapidated buildings singing "We HAVE overcome, toooooday!"
To me, Obama is like a slice of apple pie. Sure, it tastes great and you love it, but if you didn't have your steak and potatoes prior, it ain't shit.
I have to agree with Kawshen--although with some apprehension. I think its great that we are at a point in time where a black man has a legitimate campaign for the presidential office that is not a joke or a ploy. But I also think its important to understand the context that this situation is happening in.
If I'm being totally honest, both Senators Obama and Clinton have made it this far, in part, because people in our country are looking for a complete 180 degree turn from what we've been subjected to for the past 8(ish) years. What could be more different than a black man? or a woman for that matter?
I think this election process and the potential for Obama to become the first black president can be a turning point. BUT if we get caught up in believing that we have arrived at "the dream", I think we will have "miss the bus" (sorry to be cliche) with regards to what this momentus time in our history actually signifies for us as a black community.
Obama being elected will not mean that people are any less racist or prejudice, or that racial discrimination in the work place and eduaction is going to magically disappear. If anything, it may have the effect of overshadowing the disparities that exist, because people are likely to take on the false sense of equality that is given off by the election of a black in as president.
I hope that Obama does win... but I just hope that we dont become complacent at the thought of having gained a level playing field. The battle has only just begun.
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