If you told me five years ago that a black man could make it to the final presidential ballot, I would have said you were crazy. I suppose I would be wrong, seeing how Barack Obama has earned the Democratic nomination for President.
Wow.
Now, I’m the wet blanket on this Obama thing. I’ve paid attention to the way that Obama got slaughtered on white voters vs. Hillary Clinton, even in states he won. It’s not encouraging at all. And that was with Hillary’s simpleminded, halfassed attempt to grasp at straws as the nomination she felt was ordained to her.
The GOP is now in the building. Get ready for Willie Horton ’08.
So I was pee-peeing on my buddy’s parade about that when I got an e-mail from an esteemed member of the media. I’ll just hit you with a paragraph.
Regardless of whether or not you supported, or support, Senator Obama, I think we can all agree that this is a momentous evening. One that so many of our ancestors died for. One that my 80-year-old father is seeing, and one that has him weeping.
Then it hit me — if Obama wins this thing, he’ll be the first black person that this country has to listen to. Sure, America has listened to plenty of black folks, but only if they wanted to. Never before has there been a black man this country was obligated to listen to, one whose opinion could not be dismissed no matter what.
We, as black folks, are a marginalized people. We have been disregarded and patronized since our arrival on this continent, and we’ve had to hope someone hears what he have to say. Whispering hasn’t done it. Hinting hasn’t done it. Screaming was only effective for a time.
Now, there’s a black man that can speak to the world with flash cards if he wants to, and folks will have to read every word. Even a pessimist like me can see the beauty of that.
I’m not weeping. I’m not even smiling. But I’m not going to pretend for a second — well, another second — that this isn’t a big deal.
15 Comments
by Kirk
You’re right, but you’re still downplaying it, if not intentionally. McCain has had months of a head start to discredit Obama, and Hillary if need be. Discrediting one or the other is not mutually exclsuive. If it were that easy, it would already be done.
There’s been a perfect storm of circumstances that has allowed Obama to be a viable candidate despite his shortcomings, not dissimilar to what allowed Clinton to be viable in 1992. Recession, war, general dissatisfaction. Clinton was white, but no more palatable to middle America than a non-threatening, charismatic black guy. All of the alleged flaws Obama has – inexperience, social liberalism, youth – were also attributed to Clinton at different points in time.
Coupling all of that with a respected, albeit aged and less than inspiring Republican, war hero candidate (McCain now, Dole then) Obama almost has to be the favorite. If I was in Vegas, I’d take no worse than even odds on Obama winning the whole damn thing.
I’m also not 100% certain that white people and the middle-class will be scared off by Obama. All but the most dedicated fiscal conservatives will tell you that there’s a time and place for traditionally liberal economic policies, namely during recessions (See Roosevelt, F.D.).
If, at their core, people are rational and self-interested, then they’ll be open to voting for Obama because they’ll begin to think of themselves as needing the help, rather than just their facless, homeless neighbors.
It’s not a gimme, but I wouldn’t at all be surprised if Obama won decisively. If he doesn’t, it may very well be another 25 years before another black candidate has even an outside shot.
The real story, if he does win, will be how many assassination attempts there are and whether any of them succeeds.
by Chrichelle
Well Bo, we’re both from Houston, so we both know how some folks think.
I saw one of such people on the internet today that decided Obama wouldn’t have her support because of the negro tomfoolery in South Beach over Memorial Day.
Any of us that grew up as one of the chocolate chips knows what it’s like to be simultaneously the representation of all Black people and at the same time an exception against the rule of what Blacks are like when we defy stereotypes. Further, we have all cringed when one of our “cousins” has embarrassed the race so to speak. This vicarious liability is the basis of pride to see someone so respectable rise to a position of prominence.
Sadly, I think an Obama administration will require a perfect storm of sorts; all the folks on Obama’s side to sit the hell down and not cut up and all those that are irrationally against him to open their minds and for the first time in seven years since 9-11 be motivated by logic rather than fear.
by Kirk
Ok, so Dole was actually ’96, but the principle is the same.
by rell
Yea, you went Pac-man-Fat Joe on my Obama hypeness parade last night.
by Brew City Drew
OBAMA!
I want rioting if he doesn’t win. There’s no way a Republican can win this election. Especially one as ancient as McCain. Right? RIGHT?
by Brew City Drew
Kirk is smrt.
by C
Damn.. great comment Kirk. Spot on.
by Rex
Brew, can a Republican win? Well, notice how Kirk didn’t say who HE is voting for… Not that he has too, but in case you would wonder how McCain will get votes.
Of course, I’m voting for the local Hawaii boy.
by smits
Barack should challenge McCain to a game of one-on-one in the rose garden for the Presidency. CJ John Roberts can referee.
Also Parking Lot pimping the Sex and the City premier = genius.
by Kirk
Rex, I’m not voting for either of them, or for anyone else. Not worth the time. Just one vote, etc. etc.
Smits, think about the women coming out of that movie, though. A good portion of that audience are the desperate, disillusioned spinsters-in-training that get a self-esteem boost from seeing 4 old washrags whore it up in a TV show/movie. You can find those women any weekend – go to a bar and look for the ones sitting alone.
by jhmd2000
There are no Republicans left running in this election.
P.S. Kirk from downtown on 6/5/08.
by Erin
I thought he was half white?
by Nate Wesley
Erin, Google the “one-drop” rule.
Black people come up with that one, whites in charge did waaaaay back in the day. A fitting irony that some conservative whites actually complain that Obama’s denying his Causcasian heritage.
by Lntmyh
He is African and White doubt we would even be having this convo if he was actually black. There is not 1 African I know who would consider himself Black.