snips and snails, and puppy-dogs' tails

to be an american

 abuse

I’ve heard often and from many people “Blacks are only voting for Obama because he’s black.”  Now, granted, for some people this may be the case, but as with ANY broad sweeping generalization, such a statement is largely false.

Just as I believe that a person’s skin color has nothing to do with their potential for greatness, intellect, or other abilities, it has no bearing on one’s political prowess as well.  Physical attributes do not determine this, past experience does.  With that said, in some respects, there is absolutely nothing wrong with a person choosing to vote for him along such lines, as it is something many use to identify with others.  It is my opinion that such is wrong however.

In the past I have been clear in my reasons for not favoring Obama as the next POTUS, yet I have many reasons for wanting him in such a position, just as not all blacks are going to vote for him, just because he is “black.”

In several conversations I have had in the past few days, I have shared ideals and in return, have gained more insight into the views of others that go much deeper than skin and appearance.  There are many things that ail our society as it is today, as such; we need a person that is firm in their beliefs, morals, and convictions.  We as a nation need people to stand up and vote for what they believe is right and just; best for our nation.  We need voters to choose who they feel is best for the job.

I’d like to share the following comment I received in an email conversation I had yesterday:

“I am voting for Obama.  One because he is the first candidate that looks like me, married someone that looks like me and (she) and I have similar backgrounds.  I believe that these similarities enable him to better understand where I come from and where I stand in “America”.  But it does not stop there.  I believe he is the person to bring about ‘change’ in the white house even if it only makes people aware that everybody is not represented fairly in this country.  His background of being bi-racial (half American and half African), of living here and abroad – of seeing others (internationally) struggle is also a huge factor.  People who have been exposed to other cultures, other people other regions have a tendency to be more tolerant and understanding to the issues of other.

When he did finish law school he turned down jobs in prestigious law firms to work in the ‘hood’ with my people. He has done community service-which is what I think government really should be about; serving the community, not the other way around.  He has not (to my knowledge) put any program or legislation in place that would make him or his friends rich-or shift power to them unjustly.

He has made no bones about the fact that he is not happy with the current administration-and really what person in their ‘right’ mind is –unless the current administrations, policy changes, de-regulations and screw the middle class attitude has benefited them.  

In this country the rich- get richer while the poor get poorer has never been more prevalent and out in the open, than now.

I like what Obama is proposing-although I know that he will not be able to make any of these changes overnight.  The current administration has made such a mess that it is going to take 4-6 years to fix, let alone make changes-but he is hope. He is my hope of a better tomorrow for my children and grandchildren-he is hope that maybe just maybe America is ready to (look like they can) stand by its Constitution.

Am I voting for him because he is black – not entirely, but it plays an important role in my decision- and I will be smiling all the way to the polls because a man like him and the many, many others before him-make your dream of getting into politics and being taking seriously possible…”  –F. Lynn Nunn

Here’s to hope for a nation I believe in.  There is no one man (or woman) that can ‘fix’ the things that are wrong in today’s society, it will take work by many, work by all of us as Americans.  I feel it is high time that we all stop being so divisive and really work together.  It’s time we stop looking at race, gender, sexuality, to an extent even “experience” and place those in position who can lead this country to reaching our dream through true belief in the principles that define what it is to be American.