Beyond Obama and McCain – Pride and the 2008 Presidential Election

My nephew asked his mom last week, “Are you voting for ‘Oh-rock Obama’?” He’s six years old. It was a cutesy kid question, but it brought home the impact of this election. Another nephew, this one in high school, asked me who I would be casting my vote for. Having a better understanding of current events, he also asked me why I made my particular choice. I was so proud at that moment. I was proud of his interest, but I was also proud of the fact that he didn’t assume race would be enough to get my vote.   

 

For me, it’s not yet about who wins. It’s about the fact that a black man actually has a chance at all of becoming the President of the United States. It’s also about women being given a real shot at running. And at least one of the women in this race was qualified for the position before her.

 

This Election IS about race, whether you like it or not

If we’re going to talk about race, we should be clear that it’s a factor on both sides. There are those who will not vote for Obama simply because he is black. There are also those who will vote for him because – you guessed it – he’s black. I don’t think either decision is wise, but I do believe motivations matter. The difference seems to be support versus bigotry.

 

Blacks who are voting based on race aren’t doing it to suppress whites. They’re doing it to support a black man. On the flip side, whites who are voting based on race are doing it because they don’t want to see a black man in the White House. They make wild and baseless claims to support their positions, but it all boils down to oppression.

 

What bothers me most about the racial tensions injected into this historic moment is that so many are trying to cloak racism with the word “fear.” It’s a thin veneer covering the ugly truth. Some try to give it a Christian base, but it’s so transparent. Instead of these ideas being categorically rejected, they’ve actually taken hold.

 

I am saddened to see it at all, but extremely disappointed that this painfully obvious tactic is also used in McCain’s campaign.  It’s more socially acceptable to be afraid than to be racist. I guess that’s why Sarah Palin talks so often about how “fearful” she is. I am not calling her racist, but I think her campaign knew what they were playing with when they chose those words.

 

Women won – and lost – at the same time

The other reason that makes this race so enthralling is gender. Women have also changed the landscape of politics in our country. They have been given a chance to enter what has for so long been a men’s arena. But the day that gender was touted above credentials is the day women lost. Period.

 

Whatever her level of intelligence, Palin’s grasp of domestic and foreign politics is severely lacking. Anything could happen to either presidential candidate after being sworn in office. I’d prefer the second-in-command to be able to lead the country from jump, not just be a “quick study.” I find it laughable that her being a woman, coupled with a “you betcha” here and there are supposed to overshadow her shortcomings. Still, she sure can draw a crowd.

 

Personal politics aside

Whether you are Republican or Democrat, black or white, man or woman, you have something to be proud of in this election. For so many of us, it’s been proven that we are all intelligent, able, worthy, and capable of leading this country to greatness. The world is watching us. How we act on November 5^th will speak just as loudly as how we vote on November 4^th.