Let me first start off by saying that in no way do I have anything against having someone who's black lead our country. I am with the majority of the population of the world even that believes it is a break through of monumental proportions. Now that being said...I was listening to the radio this morning, sports 620 KTAR with Doug and Wolf. It's a radio show here in the valley of Arizona that my brother and I listen to every day on the way to work. They were talking about our new president and how Doug was bothered by the possibility that Obama was elected president simply because of the color of his skin. Again, having a black president does not bother me, but I too am troubled by the possibility that that was an underlying cause of why he was elected, and not because of character. And Doug elegantly stated what I have thought all along but was not able to say as well as him. He talked about how everyone believes that by having our first black president, it shows huge leaps and bounds our country has made and the huge progression that has taken place. He and I both don't disagree; however, believe that it does not show true progression. He brought up the subject of blacks in sports associating it with the Steelers head coach who is black who brought his team to the Super Bowl this year. Now the fact that he is black has absolutely no bearing on the media. No one cares that he is black, only that he did a good job this year coaching this team. So Doug posed the question...which shows more progression? A big deal being made about the first black president, or that fact that color isn't even an issue with this coach? I strongly feel the latter is the higher of the two. Again, both great strides, one is greater than the other.
Now the rebuttal brought by Wolf on the show was that since this is the first black president, it becomes I big deal. It was an excellent point made and one that cannot be refused. Jackie Robinson, the first black player in baseball, was and is still a huge deal, again, because he was the first. However, no one today thinks twice when they see a black player in baseball or really any sport for that matter.
Now Obama being black had absolutely no bearing on my vote during the election. There are many things about him that far surpassed McCain as well as the other way around. However, there were many people interviewed during the inauguration of Obama who were so excited because he was going to be the first black president. Exit polls the day of election everywhere reported a massive, even unheard of turnout of black people to vote. And you only need one guess who they voted for. If the pure fact that it was a black man running for office that made these voters all of a sudden decide to vote then I do feel that's wrong. Now they are talking about the progression of this country when they wouldn't have even exercised their freedom, privilege and right of democracy if Obama hadn’t been running for office. That to me shows anything but progression.
This subject is a little touchy, and I hope people dont read it thinking that you are being ridiculous, because you arent. I think that this really was a real issue. However, no matter how anyone voted, I do believe that once we decide upon a president, we try our hardest to be united as a people and support our elected leader and try to let him and others in office know what our stances are so that they can appropriately represent us and the people as best they can. I work with several *cough*older*cough* people who are being stuffy about it and now choosing not to watch the inauguration or avoiding news about Obama because they do not like that he was elected, I think that is a poor attitude to take. They may not agree with his politics, but they should be involved with those who have been elected instead of boycotting something that is not going to be reversed. While I voted for someone else, I am genuinely excited to see what he can do with our country and the many improvements to be made. He has some very different policies than what I would support but I hope that he will respect the many different voices in the country so I will continue to be involved to try to make sure that both sides are heard.
ReplyDeleteOne other thing to deal with what you mention - I do think the election was mostly a popularity contest, but no matter what Obama does in the future, he is bringing hope to the people right now, and that is something we really do need. We needed an icon for people to put faith in, I really don't think McCain, or any other candidate would bring this kind of morale. I am excited to see what this new, enthusiastic president can do with the help of the hopeful citizens that now follow him.