The Thousand Pound Gorilla In The Room - Race - Can No Longer Be Ignored
Ever since Senator Obama began his campaign for the Presidency, he has constantly glided over or outrightly ignored the issue of Race in America. He has been doing this, so as not to appear too black for fear of missing out on the well needed votes from the White community. And, his supporters went along with him saying, "You gotta wait until he is actually in the white house before he confronts the issue of race. Let him get in there first," they whispered. Well the Gorilla has been burping and passing gas to the extend that he could no longer tolerate the stench. He had to address the issue of Race. It could no longer wait. His own pastor, so filled with turmoil over the race issue in America, could not be quiet (even if being quiet meant pushing his beloved son further along in his campaign.) Race and the Black struggle was too much for him to ignore, as he so fervently addressed it in his sermons.
Well, I have mentioned in the past that, for many, who are looking for a Black Messiah to lead them to the promise land, they will be sorely disappointed. Because, as obvious and as conspicuous the issue of Race is, Senator Obama cannot address it, for fear of loosing the white vote. You see, people like Senator Obama and Oprah find themselves in a very precarious position. Trying to appear as main stream as possible to gain the popular vote or support and at the same time address the needs of their race, without denying or betraying the white support.
Its not that Obama does not want to address Race - his hands are tied. Just tonight during an interview with Terry Moran of Nightline, Obama said exactly that. He said his wife and his black friends were much more comfortable with him having the Race Speech than his white friends and advisers were. He said they were very nervous about him making that speech. I am not making this up folks. Go back and look at the tape for yourselves. I knew this all along. And if he thinks its difficult to address Race now, how on earth is he going to address the Racial Issues African Americans face if he gets into the White House. My friends it will be even more difficult. His White supporters and white advisers won't let him. It is the same predicament Oprah has found herself in. She cannot put her face and celebrity behind issues that are too black for fear of loosing her white supporters and her white advertisers. I'm not saying Race is all he has to talk about, but just as women have their concerns, equal pay and the right to choose and immigrants have their concerns and the so call evangelistic community has their concerns, he should address Black Issues as well instead of trying to glide over and ignore it.
Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton did not try to ignore the issue of race in exchange for the popular vote. And you have to commend them for that. I will get excited when Obama has the Audacity to really confront and address the complex issue of race in America even if it means risking loosing voters. If the white voters stick around, then and only then would we really be moving towards change (in regards to Race) in America.
Feel free to post comments below.
I have to admit - you are right. YOur thoughts are deep and you offer a different perspective.
Love it. Keep it coming
Danny
Lauderdale Lakes
Reply to this