For a long time, the discussion of African-American voters making a choice to support an African-American leader has been a matter of discussion. It is surprising to me that this seems to be such an issue for any American person when African-American voters have not always had the choice of selecting an African-American leader that they believed in and supported for all of the right reasons, excluding race. However, during this election, the first question asked African-American voters is do you think it is right that you are voting for Barack Obama because he is African-American? This is a double standard, no matter your race.
Since African-American people or the societal identified race of Black people, which includes Jamaicans, Africans, Caribbeans, Haitians and other ethnically toned people, identified and grouped into the race of African-American, they have had to earn the right to vote and the majority of presidential front runners have been white and male until this most recent selection. The presidential race as a whole had two, front-runner white candidates, one that best suited their needs and those of their community. They exercised their right to vote.
Realistically, white people have always had the choice of selecting from their own race in presidential elections. Whether they agreed fully with either candidate or not, they had a person that they self-identified with and represented some part of their culture. What is so wrong about having a Black, Hispanic, Native American, or any other ethnically different candidate in a presidential race? Nothing should be wrong with this, and the support of any community for their candidate should not be questioned either.
Finally, in 2008, all people have more than just a man that many forget is biracial; they have a person that understands their struggle, their needs, their voice, their vision, and their hopes and dreams for themselves, their families and their communities; he is the president for all people. This is not racial identification. This is about life identification.
Barack Obama understands what living in a single parent home is like. He understands what being raised by grand parents is like. Even if you have not lived in a single parent home or were raised by your grand parents, you understand how and why he is so close with this grandmother "Toot". He understands what living in a budget is like. He understands what driving a $200.00 car is like, and hoping that car will make it to school, or to work, or to the grocery store, or to the gas station. The windows in the car may not roll up or down; the radio may come on or off when it gets ready; one of your doors may or may not open; the tail light may be broken; the oil light may be on, but it is your car. You are hoping to finish school, get a better job and afford a nicer car and more reliable car. What other candidate in this race could understand your struggle better than he does? These types of challenges affects people of all races.
He understands what agony is like to see your parent fight with an insurance company about health coverage, when they are sick and truly unable to fight for themselves. This may be personal for you or for someone you know. You want a person that understands the personal aspects of health care. People in all parts of the US and from all racial groups are facing these same challenges in the same or similar ways.
Barack Obama represents an American story similar to many everyday Americans. If people stopped trying to put the physical appearance of his skin tone into this race, they would realize he is much more like them than different. By pointing out this difference, immigrants and their families have noticed that their heritage, history, culture, faith and appearance makes them viewed as different and not included in this idea of the American story. The double standard sticks out clearly.
What most people do not realize is that Senator Hillary Clinton had close to or over 65% of the African-American vote, even after Barack Obama announced his candidacy. Black people did not make a decision to just back the African-American candidate automatically. They needed a clear understanding of his positions, his support, his plan, his visions, his determination and readiness. Now, they see it clear. Now, they have decided to support him. It has not stopped them from voting for the White, Hispanic, and other diverse candidates in other races that work towards making their communities and lives better.
Stop the double standard. African-American people are a smart and intelligent body of individuals and race of people. They decide when evidence exists that gives them reason to know change is real and evident. The experiences and challenges of their lives have prepared them for making choices like these.
It has always been acceptable for Caucasian people and undecided voters all across the country to support the Caucasian people. If a white person votes for a white candidate does it make a white person racist? No. If a white candidate does not vote for a black candidate does it make that person a racist? No. If a white person is not voting for Barack Obama does it make him or her racist? No. If a black person is voting for Barack Obama does it say that the only reason they are voting for him is because he is black? No. If a white person is voting for Barack Obama does it say that the only reason they are voting for him is because he is black? No. If a white person votes for any black candidate for any race, is the race of the candidate the only reason they support their candidate? No.
Do not get me wrong. Racism is very alive in this country. There will be people who chose not to vote for any black candidate because of race and they have said so. Growth must still continue. But, please do not minimize the excitement and enthusiasm of a candidate that gains the support of 13% of the total population. What that means is that a substantial amount of white voters and hispanic voters must support Barack Obama for him to win as President. People should recognize the importance of every vote.
Why can't African-American people receive the same respect and dignity with their chioce of voting as every other race of people? It has been earned. They have had to earn their right to vote. The double standard must cease.
