Is President-Elect Barack Obama black enough?
My mind is racing more and more, each day, since history was made on November 4, 2008, when Democratic Candidate Barack H. Obama won the 2008 Presidential Election. I have thought about what this means for Black people (I despise the term African American) and for the U.S.A. November 4, 2008 was my proudest day as an American, yet I am concerned about what black people expect and think President-Elect Obama should and or will do once he becomes President Obama.
I was talking with a guy today, who said to me, “I think Obama is going to bring Kwanzaa to the White House.” I told the guy “if he does it’s good, if not so what!”
Now I do not know about anybody else, but I voted for Barack Obama because this country needs a change that will make this country a better country.
Later on the same guy, as we were looking at television we see a group of people standing behind President-Elect Obama. It was his economic transition team. This guy said to me, “Hey, I don't see any black people on Barack’s cabinet. I said, “that is not his cabinet” and before I can say another thing he said, “well I don’t see, oh there is one, but I don’t see any brothers up there.“ I said to him, “Barack Obama is trying to get this country back on track it should not matter who he selects to his cabinet.
The guy had to leave and thank God he did, because I was about to “pop my top”, but it made me think. Here is a 50+, black man and all that seemed to matter to him was basically how President-Elect Obama is going to take care of his race.
There was a video circulating where a white McCain supporter said that she is concerned if Obama is elected that the blacks will take over. I also heard enough black people say that they have to vote a black man is running for president.
I don’t understand. First I heard a large number of black people, on the web and radio, question weather Obama is black enough. Then he gets the Democratic party nomination for president and many of the same people say that all black people have to vote for him because he’s black. I mean which is it. You are acting just as racist as you may claim some white people act.
If President-Elect Barack Obama enters office and does not move toward carrying out his campaign objectives, then complain but leave race out of it. President-Elect Barack Obama owes black people is the same thing he owes this country. The promise to get this country back on the right track and truly make this country truly a collection of United States.
Tags: barack obama, black people, race relations
December 17th, 2008 at 18:55
With all respect, I have to say that reading this makes me somewhat ashamed and skeptical about some of the people you interact with.
First, Kwanzaa? Seriously? African American (blacks) cannot expect Barack to fix the United States by selecting a cabinet with tons of black people. There's just not that many in politics.
Secondly, The McCain supporting must not have followed or conducted any personal research on Obama's past. He attended a predominately white school, was elected on the review board (first black) and had to lead that sector as well (which did not elect blacks for the hell of it).
Thirdly, Don't vote for a president because he's black. Vote for the man and or woman you think will best lead this country to a place were we all can say we are proud of.
Often times people come short of actually knowing what they really feel anyway. That's why you tend to see people voting which ever way the wind blows. In several ways I agree with you, Adrian, but sometimes you will have to tell your views, harshly, as you continue to educate.
Again, with all due respect. (Oh yeah, I'm African American (black) too.)
December 17th, 2008 at 21:20
@Raymonn
The guy I am referring to is not someone I know. He is a guy that just started talking to me while I was waiting for my Dad at the VA hospital.
Out of respect for my elders I chose to temper my responses to what he was saying. The other comments are mainly from guys in the barbershop but some are from people I know.
Thanks for your response.