I have two comments about the two issues at hand. The first comment about racism in America and the Second about Senator Obama’s affiliation with Minister Wright.
First off let me start by saying that I have been a stark Obama supporter since the day he announced his candidacy. I have been criticized by many who question my loyalty to the Clintons and why I am supporting Sen. Obama. Many say that I am only supporting him because he is black. To that I respond in anger, because you are pretty much telling me that I am incapable of making a solid/sound intelligent political decision. I also, say, He is the best candidate in the Race. Many have said that I am in some way unfaithful and unappreciative to the Clinton’s for all that they have done but I lost my respect for them as a high school student back when all of the allegations about Monica Lewinsky surface came out as well as the other imperfections of Mr. Clinton and Mrs. Clinton stood by her man. I am not holding a grudge nor am I unforgiving but I do not think that someone who cannot stand up to her husband for adultery and subjects her young daughter to a relationship that shows that you should stand by your man at all costs is not the person I want leading this country and is not the person I want representing me as an American.
1) As far as race in this country, I feel that Senator Obama’s speech was necessary and long over due. I have not heard such a powerful message in my life from someone who is still alive and in the political position that he is in. He could have been just like everyone else and just hid under the covers or walked on eggshells but he said what needed to be said. He did what needed to be done for so long. There are many on this blog that claim that the are infuriated and don’t want to feel like they have done something wrong, if this is what you feel then obviously you are guily of what he’s talking about. The hidden and blatant racism that still exists in this country because people are too afraid to talk about it and deep down inside many don’t want to change. I know that my statement will be unpopular, but the truth hurts. As Sen. Obama said, Minister Wright comes from a different time and place, he grew up in a turbulent time, when he was made to feel that he was less of a man/ citizen because of the color of his skin, not in some Third World Country, but in this Great Country of America. Although many will say that things have changed, African Americans are much better off than they have ever been, or slavery ended 200 years ago, get over it. I pose this question, how much has really change, yes I admit, it is illegal to lynch someone or murder someone and some of us are able to receive a higher standard of education and therefore are blessed with better jobs than those before us. But, it was just two years ago when a 16 year old female high school student in Texas was sent to jail for pushing a white woman. It was not even a year ago, when the gentlemen from Jena, Louisiana were about to spend the rest of their lives in jail over a school house fight that they did not start. To this day, none of the White young men who pulled guns on them in public or hung nooses to begin the incident have had charges pressed against them. While on the subject of schools, has anyone been to a public school in a predominately African American neighborhood and then left and went to one in a predominately White neighborhood? It’s disgraceful that over 50 years after Brown vs. The Board of Education, I still have to send my sons to schools outside their neighborhood for them to be afforded the same education and facilities as others. If you think I’m over-exaggerating why don’t you visit one of your local schools in the predominately, African American community and see the condition/year of the books, the quality of the teachers/staff, the condition of the buildings, the condition of the football fields and gymnasium. Stick around until school lets out and see the condition of the buses they are subjected to ride on. Then the next day, go to your local school in the predominately White neighborhood of your choice and see the difference. New books, fresh paint, new buildings, the best teachers money has to offer, state of the art football fields and gymnasiums. A vast difference. If you are ever in Houston, TX, why don’t you check on Jack Yates and then go to Katy High school if you think I’m lying or over exaggerating. But enough on this, as I can go on and on, on this subject!
2)As far as him not cutting Minister Wright under the bus and totally disassociating himself, I totally disagree with the message but I know that you can’t judge a man by a few sermons out of 20 years and his beliefs about Louis Farrakan. Just as Sen. Obama said, he knows not only the words that you and I hate but he knows the man that he and apparently, many others love. He feels that he is like family to him, then who are we to judge, I’m sure everyone on this blog has a relative that they see very often that makes racist, homophobic, or anti-semetic remarks. (Go ahead and deny it if you want but you know it’s true). In my opinion, he would have been just like every other crooked and dishonest politician out there had he done that. By being honest and saying know I’m not going to disown my Minister/Uncle because it’s the popular thing to do and it is what every other politician would have done, I feel that he did the best thing possible. For those of you who say, “how can he sit there and listen to that crap for 20 years and claim that he doesnt share these views?” I say, I have attended Windsor Village United Methodist Church in Houston, TX for 15 years now, I have heard my minister say controversial things about homosexuality (both good and bad), I have witnessed him pray for G.W. Bush’s inauguration which I totally hated, and I have knowledge that he will be performing Jenna Bush’s wedding, etc. I totally disagree with these things, but I know the man outside of the negative things. I know how he can uplift a community and give them a feeling of meaningfulness. I have seen him convert what some would stereotype as thugs into choir directors, videographers, choreograhors, and ushers. I know the man who has prayed for me and my family time, after time, in the wake of personal crisis. This is exactly what Sen. Obama says/feels about Minister Wright and although I disagree with what he said, I agree with his relationship with Sen. Obama. His views/actions have nothing to do with those of Sen. Obamas. You cannot judge a man by his friends, I don’t care what anyone says. If this were the case, we would all be horrible people the day we were born! I also say, What Would God Do/ What Will God Do? Would he turn his back on Minister White/ Sen. Obama, would he send them to the fiery gates of hell? Not my God, My God is a Healing God, He’s a Forgiving God and he would want all of us Christians to do the same. He would not judge Senator Obama’s character because of what someone he is affiliated said/did, he would treat him as his on man and forgive anything that is wrong and show him how to make it right.
To those of you who say you will vote Republican if Sen. Obama wins the Democratic nomination I have a few questions for you: Can you truly afford the gas, can you truly afford the increased Interest Rates? Do you want your children/ grandchildren fighting a war that has been proven to be unnecessary over and over again? Can you afford these things? If so, please tell me what I am doing wrong, as I am a 25 year old, middle classed, college educated African American female. I am married, and have two sons. I make a decent living compared to others in my neighborhood, I’m pretty young and can’t afford a huge expensive house, I live in an older predominately African American and Hispanic neighborhood. I work for one of the largest banks in America. I have a 401 K plan and had been saving in my personal savings accounts until this year when gas prices skyrocketed and my mortgage went up $100/ month. I would go out and try to get another job but with jobs being shipped overseas day after day, I need to keep my seniority. So please don’t think that I’m just some Angry black women looking for a handout!
Also, Barack did not bring race into the race, the Clintons, the Media and the people who needed any little thing not to vote for him did. He only defended himself yesterday. But once again, THE TRUTH HURTS!
