Another Form of Racism?
Posted by: Michael S. Kerr | 10/04/2008 11:17 AM
Guest post by: Heather Steffenson
I have a job that requires a lot of travel. I spend a great deal of time in airports and on airplanes and as a result, I find myself reading magazines that I normally wouldn't. I was perusing the latest issue of Newsweek, on my way to Phoenix, and one article really struck me. First, I will qualify my remarks by saying that I wouldn't vote for Obama regardless of his color and I would absolutely vote for John McCain if he were black, white, or purple. However, this Newsweek article gave me pause. It was called, "What if Obama Loses?" The article talks about how African Americans are thrilled to have a black candidate that they can vote for.
". . .in the African American community, where more people are paying attention to the campaign - and planning to vote - than ever." Newsweek Oct 6, 2008
There was not a single mention of anything of real substance. Not Obama's views on the economy, the stock market crisis, healthcare, foreign policy - nothing. All they talked about was how "unfair" it would be if Obama loses.
"There's not a lot of anger - yet - but you can start to sense the potential for it. 'I'm going to be mad, real mad, if he doesn't win,' says Daetwon Fisher, 21 a construction worker from Long Beach, Calif. 'because for him to come this far and lose will be just shady and a slap in black people's faces." Newsweek Oct 6, 2008
I certainly hope that the Newsweek article is not indicative of how a majority of African Americans view this election. I hope that the entire electorate is focused on the issues that affect them. Choosing a president is heady stuff. We must examine what is important to us and vote accordingly.
I am not voting for John McCain because he is white, or ex-military, or because he spent 5 years as a POW. I am voting for John McCain because I believe he is a person of integrity. I believe he understands what is important to our country. I believe he will keep our country safe in these uncertain times and I believe that he wants ME to decide what to do with my money. He understands that as a nation and as Americans, we pick ourselves up by our bootstraps and are responsible for our own choices. If we choose well, we are rewarded and if we choose poorly, we face the consequences of our actions. It is not the government's job to provide a better life for me. That is my job.
So, I hope the Newsweek article was wrong. I hope Obama supporters are looking at more than race and looking at the character of the man who would be their president. I hope they are looking at his stance on the issues and how his plans will affect all Americans. Because if they aren't, isn't that just another form of racism????
It may be ill advised, but it is apparently not "fraudulent" and certainly not election fraud. Forbes has...
What in any of this fits the definition of racism? So black people are proud to potentially have a black president. Considering the nations history with african americans, it is something to be proud of. 50 Years ago, blacks in many places could not even vote without fear of violent and often deadly reprisal.
Was the same claim made of women who were proud of Hillary's run, or Catholic's when JFK was running?
Obviously people are proud of the candidate but that misses the point the writer was making. If people are voting based soley on Obama's race, then it is a form a racism. The writer was merely suggesting that the electorate should be focused on the substance of Obama's ideas and his plans rather than the color of his skin. The point was well made.
Why are you, or the the writer, assuming blacks, or anyone, is voting for him because of his race and not the direction he wants to take the country. Considering his record breaking amount of support in the most white states in the union, I find it suspect that people assume blacks are only voting for him because of his race. The writer seems to imply that point repeatedly. Did african americans vote on the racial basis whe Kerry, or Gore, or Clinton ran (all of whom received phenomenal levels of AA support)
I wonder, is the sudden concern for blacks 'voting on the basis of race' merely a mask for the very real fact that many white conservatives will be voting for McCain because of his (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/12/sunday/main4515842.shtml?source=mostpop_story)?