What if? Network for Diversity and Inclusion
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Presidential Election
It's a momentous time in the history of the United States. Barack Obama is the first presidential nominee of African American descent. Will the people of the U.S. select him to be president or is race still too big a hurdle for some people to overcome? Your thoughts and opinions please.
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Permalink Reply by Theresa Haller on -
I think it will be too big of a hurdle. I think he has a better chance then a woman. Time will tell, just how far we have come in our Diversity adventure. This is a very positive step, that is for sure. T
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Permalink Reply by Steve L. Robbins, Ph.D. on -
In a recent national poll, more than 90% surveyed said they would have no problem with voting for a Black candidate for president. It was less than 60% 50 years ago. It will be interesting to see if these respondents and others who express such openness will actually behave in accordance with their expressed attitude. Though there are many other factors that need to be accounted for as well - race is just one of myriad factors that go into a person's choice for President. Let's just hope our next President can put partisanship aside and be the President of the people of the U.S., not the president for a political party.
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Permalink Reply by Russell Ferguson on -
I have to admit, I was surprised to see him win the nomination. I have been waiting for the other shoe to drop for some time and I remain skeptical that this country will allow a black man to be president. All this talk about democrats willing to vote for McCain is indicative of the undercurrent of racism that still dominates the thinking of the majority (I think) of American voters. We live in very interesting times. I continue to hold my breath, and pray.
Russell
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Permalink Reply by Gretchen Dziadosz on -
I truly hope this country is ready.
I fear that there are many white voters who will not admit that race is an issue (to pollsters, for example) when it really is.
On the other hand, there seems to be a genuine openness and excitement among young voters that is totally exciting and hopeful.
I suspect it will all be about turn-out; which groups are most motivated to get out and vote.
Also, I am old enough to recall what a huge deal it was for some people that a Catholic (gasp!) might become President. There were many bizarre fears expressed (my favorite being that the Pope would really be running the country.) The country managed to get over that.
Today Jesse Jackson made his "hot mike" verbal gaffe...any thoughts on that?
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Permalink Reply by Bennie Covington on -
I look at Rev Jesse Jackson, Rev Wright, and all of the other distractions as exactly that, distractions. I think Jesse Jackson statements are examples of how some older African Americans feel, I think you would hear equally disturbing comments from members of other racial groups behind closed doors, however, despite of all the skepticisms, fears, and uneasiness in response to a minority presidential candidate, I truly feel that people are more motivated by the preservation of their well being, than their dislike for another . I believe that people will ultimately vote for the candidates position on policies that affect them, than vote based on the skin color or culture. In the end, I feel that people will vote on the issues that affect their quality of life. Of course there will be many that will make their choice based on that,But the majority of Americans care too much about themselves to jeopardize their future because of conscious or non conscisous biases.
Just a thought
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Permalink Reply by Roxanne Wright on -
This is an interesting conundrum for me. While I was able to view Rev. Wright's behavior as a distraction, his position represented a measure of truth for many "older" (to use Bennie's terminology) African Americans. Further, even before Jackson's gaffe, I wrote on my blog about the irony of Ralph Nader's "Obama's Talking White" comments. There are probably as many people who are voting for Obama because he is of African Heritage (I am not sure when and how he became Black with a mother who is white) as there are people who would not vote for him because he is Black. And as much as I would like to believe that people are more motivated by self interest, that doesn't seem to be borne out by a second George Bush term. Since we know that at least one definition of culture suggests that there are different interpretations of what the "issues that affect their quality of life" are, we cannot know how many people would ponder whether having a Black president would add to, or detract from, their quality of life. Certainly many people of African Heritage have apparently decided that having a person who looks like him (hence, them) would add to their quality of life, which might account for the high percentage of Black votes that he has consistently gotten.
It is however hard not to notice that Obama seems to be much more comfortable taking his own people to task than the general public. I think that was the "talking down to Black folks" that Jackson was referring to - however lacking in eloquency his gaffe was. Regardless of what happens in the election, it will remain to be seen if/when America will ever embrace a Black man without constantly insisting that he disavow all of his connections with Black folks that a large number of Blacks consider to be their leaders (i.e. Farrakhan, Sharpton, Rev. Wright). It is seductive to begin thinking that Obama's capturing of the nomination signals a shift in the thinking of Americans towards a more inclusive country. However, if Obama looked more like Alan Keyes, and started focusing more on the issue of racism in this country (even as he simultaneously addressed the issues affecting all Americans), I wonder if the welcome mat to the White House that is being rolled out by some would not quickly get rolled back up. I think that the work that we do will be needed for some time to come.
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Permalink Reply by Bennie Covington on
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Interesting enough, I think Barack Obama is considered Black because he is not white. Many white American will look at him and see a black man. If Obama was to say, "hey I'm white," then both African Americans, and White American would would not understand him. I think Race, as it is perceived has everything to do with your look, and Barack Obama found this out early in his life that he was not considered white, by Americas definition.
I don't think African Americans are being talked down to by Obama, I think this is a misconception. I believe that many of the issues that Barack Obama stands for address many of the concerns that the African American community have. Universal health care will help many African Americans because health care is a major concern, federal College Scholarship in exchange for Community services will undoubtedly help students of color to receive an education while forcing those students to give back to the very community that they came from, and ect. I think his campaign addresses many of the issues that many African Americans want addressed. Make no Mistake Obama Presidency will not change every thing... some may argue that it will change nothing. However, we should consider what different perceptions of world views can come from African American children growing up with a man that looks like them leading their country? Or what kind of world view will White children develop growing up with a man leading their country that looks very different from them. No it is not the solution, but it is a necessary move is we are to find a solution.
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Permalink Reply by Gretchen Dziadosz on
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Today McCain started the Brittany Spears/Paris Hilton ad....yuck!
I'm a white woman but it seems to me there is a subtly racist subtext to this ad.
The whole message is that Obama's just a celebrity--an entertainer.
Of course, the only place many white Americans have come to accept African-American presence is in entertainment (or sports--another form of entertainment). McCain's campaign seems to be trying to put Obama in "his place." Am I paranoid about this or reaching too far?
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Permalink Reply by Gretchen Dziadosz on
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Great video:
AFL-CIO Secretary Richard Trumka talking about racism and the presidential election:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QIGJTHdH50
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Permalink Reply by Cynthia Grady on -
I think race is a hard ball to swollow for a lot of people and yet I feel there will be a lot of people hiding the fact that they are going to vote for him, after all once in the booth no one knows but you, so I feel a lot a feelings are hidden with this election where as in the past elections people felt more at ease to be honest for who they were voting for. This is sad, I feel as many do, vote for who you feel can get the job done for the country and not because of the color. Color is on the outside and the mind that drives brilliance is covered by that outside layer, this is what matters in selecting a person in any position. Hope the american people realize this. Cyndi
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Permalink Reply by Denise on -
I have enjoyed watching the DNC the last several days. Indeed it has been very interesting! Politics is very interesting when you see it in action. It's really a big chest game in full action! All the players at this time are playing exactly the way they should, but be very clear, it is with a price and to each advantage for the future.
I am over-joyed that I am alive and witnessed for the very first time in our nations history that a man of "African" descent.....not "African American" descent (that's another thread entirely) was nominated by as majority party to run for the Highest Office in the land and most importantly the free world!
Will race be an issue? Certainly! Will people want to REALLY admit to it that race is a factor.....well....not in "certain" circles! It would be absolutely awesome if Barack Obama becomes the President of the United States......not because he is Black.........I mean......really...........how shallow to vote for him merely upon his color! But because I truly believe that Barack is our best chance of getting our country back on track in EVERY REALM and for our country to have the respect and grace again of being true leaders!
I have repeatedly said to my friends that we as Americans are more racist than a galvanized people when it comes to racial issues and for that I believe that Barack will not win the presidency! My friends: Black, Latino, Asians and White keep telling me that I am wrong! God I hope so..........
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