Black and White
It is far too early in the 2008 presidential campaigns for anyone, whether you politically lean right or left, to be making a decision about for whom to vote. There are many debates still to be had, much still to be learned about each candidate’s platform. Really, though, once all is said and done, all we can do is cross our fingers and hope for the best once that person is in office. Remember this George W. Bush 2000 campaign debate comment?
“If we don’t stop extending our troops all around the world and nation building missions, then we’re going to have a serious problem coming down the road, and I’m going to prevent that.”
All right, in fairness, I’m sure I could find similar contradictory comments from the campaign trail from the candidates I’ve voted for and supported, too. But since I personally find this administration appalling, I prefer to point these things out. Human nature. At least I’ll admit to it. Anyway, it is politics, after all. But I digress.
This 2008 race is different, though, in that it is getting more attention with Hillary and Barack running. A potential woman president, a potential black president. I’m quite sure that most people think of Barack Obama as a black candidate, even though his Kansas mother is as white as snow. Then there was the apparent uproar as reported in Newsweek by Princeton professor and scholar Cornel West accusing Barack Obama of shunning black voters, while reaching out to white voters. Apparently he was very adamant about it, asking at an event in Atlanta why Obama was 600 miles away announcing his bid for the White House in Springfield, Illinois. And accusing him of taking black people for granted. That’s ridiculous, because I’m quite sure Obama is campaigning for EVERY vote, just like every other candidate, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, and simply because he was in Springfield at the time he’s shunning the black vote? I do not know why West thought Obama should instead be at whatever event he was ranting at in Atlanta. Relax, guy, I’m sure Obama will visit soon. And I’m sure there were some black folks in Springfield, Illinois, too.
But this is why I like Obama.
No doubt he has struggled with his mixed-race his entire life. And being born in 1961, he probably as a child had a rougher time in his pre-adolescence than most. But hearing about this public outcry from West against him, he didn’t ignore it as many would do, but called the guy personally and spoke to him about it. “I want to clarify some things”, he calmly told the professor, and they apparently spoke for some time.
Cornel West has since endorsed Barack Obama, and signed on as an unpaid adviser.
I don’t know how I’ll vote. Like I said, there’s a lot of time, and a lot of issues, and I do like Hillary and I like John Edwards, and, yes, if I ever (gasp) vote Republican it might be for Ron Paul. But, I do like Obama’s integrity, his respect, and his decency.
hillary clinton, barack obama, election 2008, current events
July 10th, 2007 at 4:13 am
Great coverage but I would like to argue-maybe that’s not the word-perhaps I want to point something out. As a person of color it’s important for me to point out that you are what you look like. I know a lot about OB and understand he comes from a multiracial family but what you see when you look at him is a Black man. When he tries to hail a cab,or enters a store or walks down the no one sees his entire heritage they see a Black man.
July 10th, 2007 at 4:59 pm
Point well taken. Like I said, I’m quite sure most perceive him as a black candidate and I’m sure on the streets he is treated as a person of color. My main point was that I am quite sure he embraces his Kenyan heritage and would in no way try to avoid campaigning to the black voters, and admire his willingness to call the professor directly and discuss the situation of his claim of catering to the white voters. I think it says a lot about OB that now the guy is on OB’s side and is an unpaid adviser.
Good point.